Coat of arms of Marseille

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Coat of arms of Marseille
Versions
Escutcheon-only
Armiger	City of Marseille
Adopted	14th century (documented) 1883 (current version)
Crest	In silver, a mural crown of eight towers, five in sight
Shield	In silver field, a cross of azure
Supporters	In silver, in the right hand, a rampant and guard bull and, in the sinister one, a rampant lion
Motto	Actibus immensis urbs fulget Massiliensis (The city of Marseille shines for its great achievements)
Other elements	A trident and a silver caduceus placed in saltire

The coat of arms of Marseille has witnessed its existence since the 14th century. The current version was adopted in 1883.

The blazon proper of Marseille consists of a silver field (white) with a cross of azure (blue). It has its origin in the colors of the city's flag. Behind the shield itself are placed a trident and a silver caduceus placed in saltire (on blade). The trident is associated with the seas and fishing. The caduceus is usually presented as a symbol of commerce.^[1][2]

The heraldic supports -- the figures that flank the shield -- are the figure of a bull and a lion, both of silver. The bull, located in the right hand of the shield (left of the spectator), is rampant and guard (erect and watching the spectator). The lion is rampant.^[1]

In the crest, a French mural crown of silver is shown. The mural crown, of Roman origin, is often used by municipal corporations as an emblem of their power and authority. On the bottom, written in letters of saber (black color), is the motto of the city "Actibus immensis urbs fulget Massiliensis", which in Latin means "The city of Marseille shines through his great achievements".^[1]