THE HOFSTRA GONFALONS

Of the ten gonfalons, five of the pennantlike ensigns plus the Hofstra Seal were first presented in University ceremonies during the dedication of the Hofstra Library in 1967. The gonfalon for the School of Law was added in 1970, followed by the University Libraries’ gonfalon in 1993, the School of Communication gonfalon in 1996, and the School for University Studies’ gonfalon in 1997, and the Hofstra University Honors College in 2001. The history of the ceremonial use of gonfalons seems lost in antiquity. Probably best remembered is their appearance at the head of the parades of the Crusades where they presented the coats of arms of legion commanders and during battle were the rallying points of the legions. The gonfalons of Hofstra carry the seals of the Colleges and Schools of the University. Select one of the thumbnails to see a more detailed image and to read about its origins.

Hofstra Trustee Dr. Rusus Smith and Dutch-born Hofstra art professor
Constant Van de Wall created the University seal that was adopted in December 1937.

The seal’s insignia is derived from the official seal of the reigning house of the Netherlands, the House of Orange, and is used with the permission of the Crown. The device is of two rampant lions in gold, tongues in red, on an azure field with gold blocks. Each lion wears a royal crown and holds a lifted sword in the right claw. In their left claws they carry a bundle of gold-headed arrows, held together with a ribbon of gold. The arrows represent the seven provinces of Holland.

Changes to the seal have been few. The azure background was changed to white and one of the lions was changed to a female.

At the bottom of the seal appear the words “Je maintiendray,” meaning “I stand steadfast” or “I shall stand fast,” as they do on the 1,000-year-old coat of arms of the Orange-Nassau family.

The motto and seal are reflections of the Dutch heritage of both Long Island and William S. Hofstra, for whom the University was named.