Symbols of the Principality of the Pillow Fortress
The Principality of the Pillow Fortress represents itself and its various organs and aspects through a variety of different symbols. Chief among these are its various flags, however this page is for the discussion of all non-vexillological symbols.
Emblems
State Emblem of the Principality of the Pillow Fortress
The State Emblem of the Principality of the Pillow Fortress was designed by the First Princess and originally adopted on 4 Outwork 4, replacing the Second Provisional Coat of Arms as the official design representing the Pillow Fortress. The design was updated on 16 Portcullose 5 and then again on 7 Merlonon 5.
Design and symbolism
The current state emblem has a cleaner, less cluttered design that incorporates new symbols of the Pillow Fortress's dedication to transhumanism.
Previous designs and symbolism
Aside from the colors, none of the design elements of the State Emblem are original, instead having been sourced from various public domain archives and combined into a transformative work. This is not to say it was arbitrary, or that the symbolism was defined retroactively. The First Princess had in mind various ideas and concepts the State Emblem was to convey and chose elements from among a multitude of possible inclusions to achieve the desired ends, resulting in an image that reflects and represents the Pillow Fortress's unique purpose. The castle icon evokes feelings of safety and strength, but also timelessness, all qualities the Principality seeks to embody. Additionally, it is a representation of a fortification, as per the name Pillow Fortress, though not an actual pillow fort. The circle around the central image is the average color of the universe, cosmic latte (#FFF8E7), and represents the Principality's contemporary turn towards outer space. It is small, as is our current ability to implement our space policies, yet hopeful and present. The yellow inner starburst represents energy, growth, vitality, glory, and the light of the Principality's ideals, laws, structure, and culture shining as if a sun; a light upon the world. The outer starburst is cosmic latte, once again representing outer space. The black elements within symbolize planets, moons, asteroids, comets, nebulae, stars, and all other celestial objects. The eight points imply the Principality's destiny to expand outward across the universe. The updated design did not change any symbolism.
Motto
The official motto of the Principality is "Auctus Pro Se", or, rendered in English, "Development For The Sake of Development". This is a reference to the policy of State and Wait which is responsible for the Pillow Fortress's highly complex system of government.
Official Animal
The official animal of the Principality is the centaur, chosen due to the creature's name being used for a cooperative sort of chess wherein human players would be assisted by computers, and thereby taking on broader connotations of human-machine symbiosis, something of great interest to the Pillow Fortress. Centaurs in official Fortressian imagery have no set features, and may be of any color, size, sex, gender, or age, displayed in any pose and wearing any clothing so long as it is appropriate given the context in which it is to appear.
Defunct Symbols
Coats of Arms
From shortly after the founding of the Principality to the last days of Outwork 4, the Pillow Fortress used a series of provisional coat of arms as a state symbol. The intention was always to upgrade them with one containing more meaning and conforming to the rules and conventions of heraldry. This plan was scrapped for a variety of reasons, despite a design being formalized. Neither of the below coat of arms are in use anymore.
First Provisional Coat of Arms
The First Provisional Coat of Arms of the Principality of the Pillow Fortress was established shortly after and modeled on the state flag. It was never intended to be the final design, but remained in use for much of the early history of the Principality.
Second Provisional Coat of Arms
The Second Provisional Coat of Arms of the Principality of the Pillow Fortress was the coat of arms of the Principality until the creation of the State Emblem, being more evocative of the idea of a fortress than its predecessor.
