Arms of Nicholas Jane Pepino

Blazon

Per fess wavy Or and Gules in chief an ankh pendent from its crossbeam two balance pans, in base three martlets, the wings and tail of each forming a maple leaf, all counterchanged;

Symbolism

The colours include Ms. Pepino’s favourite, red, and a matching heraldic colour, gold. The wavy centre line refers to the rolling hills and her farming heritage. The upper elements include the ankh, a symbol of life and a reference to Women’s College Hospital and wider women’s issues. The balance speaks of two aspects of the law important to Ms. Pepino, the law as a construct for civil order and the law as a force for social change on issues such as equality, safety of women and bettering the position of women. In the lower part of the shield the three golden swallows represent Ms. Pepino’s three children. More subtly, the swallow has also been chosen because, since classical times, it has been seen as a caring bird, building its nests so that no chicks fall out, a bird that feeds each of its young equally. Thus, overall, it is a symbol of caring, concern and equality. The consummate craftsmanship in the construction of its nest might also be taken to refer to Ms. Pepino’s work on land use initiatives.