The oak leaf on an ‘omega’ shaped plaque has become the National Trust’s iconic sign since it was designed by Yorkshire artist Joseph Armitage (1880-1945) in 1935.
“The oak leaves were chosen as being no less symbolic of England than the more usual lion, and more in keeping with the use of the emblem”1‘National Trust Emblem. | Bradford Observer | Tuesday 27 September 1938 | British Newspaper Archive’. 2022. Britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk <https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003150/19380927/149/0006> [accessed 16 October 2022].
Omega (Ω) signifies completion and comes from the once familiar phrase ‘Alpha and Omega‘ meaning the beginning and the end, alpha and omega being the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet2‘A National Trust. | Nelson Leader | Friday 06 March 1936 | British Newspaper Archive’. 2022. Britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk <https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001805/19360306/179/0008> [accessed 16 October 2022].
So for 87 years, visitors to the National Trust’s properties have been welcomed with the familiar omega signs.
I have heard the design has now changed.
Here is an example of the new plaques.
Spot the difference.
- 1‘National Trust Emblem. | Bradford Observer | Tuesday 27 September 1938 | British Newspaper Archive’. 2022. Britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk <https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003150/19380927/149/0006> [accessed 16 October 2022]
- 2‘A National Trust. | Nelson Leader | Friday 06 March 1936 | British Newspaper Archive’. 2022. Britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk <https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001805/19360306/179/0008> [accessed 16 October 2022]
Leave a Reply