The Coat of Arms
The main section of the shield consists of a nine panes forming a heraldic cross, the symbol of the Christian faith. The center pane holds a heart symbolizing St. Vincent de Paul. Because he spent his life in the service of God and people, especially the poor, St. Vincent is considered to be the Apostle of Charity. The pane above the heart holds a crescent, the symbol of Mary, the Immaculate Conception.
The upper section contains a fleur-de-lis, symbol of St. Vincent's homeland, France. Three are shown, representing the Trinity. This section also carries two symbols of Chicago. A line suggestive of the wall of a fort represents Fort Dearborn. The phoenix on the crest, the symbol of the resurrection of Christ and the resurrection of the City of Chicago after the Great Fire of 1871.
The inscription 1898 refers to the year DePaul was first chartered by the State of Illinois as St. Vincent's College. In 1907 a new charter was granted in the name of DePaul University.
The motto of DePaul University is "Viam sapientiae monstrabo tibi," which is taken from the biblical book of Proverbs (4:11) and is translated "I will show you the way of wisdom."