Sunday, July 12, 2009

Pontifical Coat of Arms racially insulting?

The Obamas recently visited the Pope. I wonder if they took a close look at his coat of arms. If so, did they find the depiction of a Moor insulting in that Al Jolson way? It is not even clearly known why the Moor is part of the Catholic imagery of Munich, but B16 saw fit to replace the traditional papal tiara with a miter on his coat of arms. Certainly he could have done something about the facial features on the Moor. I guess he was more worried about his hats.

4 comments:

Piers Gaveston Jr said...

That also has a bear. The bear is wearing a confederate flag.

JC said...

The see is Munich and Freising, the original see being the latter, and the bear, and possibly the moor's head are references to Freising, the former specifically to St. Corbinian, founder of the Benedictine Abbey there.

Tony Adams said...

Right, JC, and the Moor's head reference is not above dispute as to whom it points. In any case, I don't think the exaggerated features are necessary.

Spouse Walker said...

I noticed Michele Obama looked like she was in mourning. After all, she was going to meet Darkness.