USS CIRCE Dedication Plaque

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USS CIRCE Dedication Plaque and Other Official Regalia

Dedication Plaque

Below is the current dedication plaque for Circe. The original motto comes from the Robert Fitzgerald translation of The Odyssey: "Dear friends, no need for stealth; here's a young weaver singing a pretty song to set the air atingle on these lawns and paven courts..."

However, after her refit to the new "Bastion" command battlecruiser configuration, CIRCE simply adopted the fond nickname her battle-ghardened crew had given her as a new motto: "The Old Witch."

Coat of Arms

Below is the official coat of arms for the Circe. The colors, metals and figures were selected for their traditional heraldric symbolism as they apply to the battlecruiser Circe. Remember: in ancient Terran heraldry, a distinction was made between the 'metals' (gold and silver) and the 'colors' (red, blue, purple, green, black, orange, and maroon)- no color would ever be placed on top of another color. In essence, the rule was 'metal on color' or 'color on metal'; the Circe 's coat of arms respects this ancient tradition.

According to the tradition of blazonry (the describing of the shield using heraldic terms), the Circe 's coat of arms would be described as such:

"Quarterly, 1st and 4th, purpure, a griffin rampant or, 2nd and 3rd, rouges, an eagle displayed argent."

Which means:

"Cut into quarters, the upper-left and lower-right quarters are purple, with a griffin on its hind legs in gold, the upper-right and lower-left quarters are red, with an eagle spread out in silver."

• The quartered design is symbolic of honorable bearing.
• The color red (upper-right and lower-left quadrants) was symbolic of the warrior and of military strength in general. Given Circe 's classification as a battlecruiser, this color is appropriate, especially so given the heroes who have fought and died with her over the years.
• The color of purple (upper-left and lower-right quadrants) was the color justice and sovereignty as well as the color of royalty. It is for the first two symbolic qualities that this color was chosen.
• The black borders between the quadrants were so colored for their symbolic value of constancy- simply, the Circe is ever-vigilant.
• The griffin is symbolic of the valiant soldier, vigilant and willing even when faced with death. Combined with the idea of generosity of spirit as symbolized by its golden color, and the concept of idyllic sacrifice is clear.
• The eagle was the symbol of the protector, something clearly mandated in Circe 's very existence. However, combined with the peaceful nature of the color silver, and the eagle represents Circe 's first mission as a powerful deterrent to war, preferring a peaceful solution yet well-equipped for defense if peace proves impossible.
• The label (the stand on which the helm is resting) is the traditional symbol of the first-born child in a family. Given Circe 's status as the class starship, this symbol is fitting.
• The helm represents wise defense.

Shoulder Patch

Below is a rendering of a commemorative patch for USS CIRCE. The patch makes use of the official ship Coat of Arms in its design.

Development Patch

Below is another patch, this one the commemorative patch for the CIRCE-class Development Team at Star Fleet Engineering.