Persevere by Heather Wood in Edinburgh

"Sigillum Oppidi De Leith", Persevere, whether or not you believe you are being watched or guided or protected. Persevere, and be rewarded with a durable but flexible backbone. The official coat of arms (crest), for the city of Edinburgh, Scotland. I originally painted this piece in acrylics on canvas, garnished with a 24ct gold leaf border and accents. The arms were granted on February 27, 1889. Leith was created a Burgh of Barony de novo in favour of the City of Edinburgh. The arms show the Virgin and Child seated in a ship with a cloud above. The parish church of South Leith is dedicated to St. Mary, and the ship is for the port and its sea-going trade. The significance of the cloud is not clear; it appears that, during the discussions about the Grant of arms, the Town Clerk's suggestion that what appeared above the Virgin's head (and the ship) in an impression of an old Burgh seal was a protecting cloud, was accepted by Lord Lyon Burnett.