Coat of arms for Sir Paul

2002-12-23 10:27

London - Former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney has been granted his own coat of arms, a newspaper reported on Sunday.

According to The Sunday Times, McCartney, who was knighted in 1997 for his contribution to British music and society, uses the crest to pay homage to his musical career and birthplace, Liverpool.

It features a liver - the fanciful bird which features on the arms of the city of Liverpool - holding a guitar in its claw. Four curved emblems on the shield, which resemble beetles' backs, reflect his career with John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, the newspaper said.

The motto, "Ecce Cor Meum", which is Latin for "Behold My Heart", is the title of an oratorio he composed, the newspaper said.

The Sunday Times said McCartney applied for the crest the year he was knighted, but the death of his first wife Linda from cancer in 1998 delayed its design and approval. The coat of arms was granted by the College of Arms, the English heraldic body formed in 1484, the newspaper said.

The College of Arms and McCartney's spokesman Geoff Baker could not immediately be contacted for confirmation of the report. - Sapa-AP

- SAPA