University of Belgrade
- Bearer
- University of Belgrade
- Seat
- Studentski trg 1, Belgrade
- Founded
- 1808 (the Great School)
- Adoption of the arms
- 12 July 2006
- Registration
- Serbian Heraldry Society
- Author of the concept
- Dragomir Acović
- Artist
- Ljubodrag Grujić
Blazon
Divided horizontally (per fess). In the upper red field is an open silver book with gold clasps, binding and ornamental initials. On the pages of the book the opening of the Gospel according to John is written in black letters in Church Slavonic: “ИСКОНИ БЂ СЛОВО” (In the beginning was the Word). In the lower blue field is a silver stylised fortress with a central tower, two side towers and an open gate. The fortress stands on a red base across which pass two wavy silver lines representing rivers.
The whole shield is set on a ground with a hexagonal honeycomb motif, framed by a blue ring with gold edges.
In the upper part of the ring is written in gold letters: УНИВЕРЗИТЕТ У БЕОГРАДУ. In the lower part of the ring the Latin name of the institution is written in gold letters: UNIVERSITAS BELGRADENSIS.
Symbolism and meaning
The modern arms of the University of Belgrade, adopted on 12 July 2006, are an elegant combination of tradition and modernity, replacing the long-standing pictorial emblem showing Captain Miša's Mansion. This design is the work of the Serbian Heraldry Society “White Eagle”, with the concept set by the architect Dragomir Acović and the artistic stylisation executed by Ljubodrag Grujić.
The open book with the inscription from the Miroslav Gospel (“In the beginning was the Word”) symbolises the source of knowledge and wisdom and the spiritual foundation of Serbian education. The lettering is taken directly from the oldest surviving Serbian Cyrillic manuscript.
The lower part of the shield takes its motifs from the historical arms of Belgrade (the work of Đorđe Andrejević Kun of 1931), emphasising the unbreakable bond between the University and the capital. The fortress symbolises the “White City”, and the two rivers the Sava and the Danube.
The honeycomb motif in the background, though a graphic element, heraldically suggests industry, organisation and joint work in gathering knowledge (“like bees”).
