Toronto Metropolitan University Shield and Motto

The lamp is the symbol of intelligence giving forth the flame of the spirit within. It is light in the darkness. It is inspiration.

The set square is the symbol of artifact, construction and building. It represents the practical and material.

The motto, “Mente et Artificio,” translates from Latin as “With Mind and Skill.”

The colours are azure (blue), signifying loyalty and truth, and or (gold), signifying generosity and elevation of the Mind. 

The university’s full coat of arms was first registered with the College of Arms in London, England in 1966. In 1999, the Canadian Heraldic Authority registered an updated version (external link, opens in new window) . Following the renaming of the university (opens in new window)  in 2022, the use of the full coat of arms has been retired and only the modified design (seen here) is to be used. 

In keeping with the  (PDF file) Standing Strong Task Force Recommendations, TMU has decided to use only the shield and motto and to no longer include Aries, the Ram. This change recognizes the association of ram imagery with the legacy of Egerton Ryerson (whose zodiac sign was Aries) and the university’s decision to no longer commemorate Ryerson.