Symbols of Sussex

Symbols of Sussex are flags, icons or cultural expressions that are emblematic, representative or otherwise characteristic of Sussex or Sussex culture. As a rule, these symbols are cultural icons that have emerged from Sussex folklore and tradition, meaning few have any official status. However, most if not all maintain recognition at a county or national level, and some, such as the emblem of Sussex, have been codified in heraldry, and are established, official and recognised symbols of Sussex.

Flag

The flag of Sussex, sometimes known as St. Richard's Flag, has been Sussex's county flag since it was registered with the Flag Institute on 20 May 2011. A banner of arms, the flag is based on the traditional emblem of Sussex.

Heraldry

The emblem of Sussex is a heraldic shield symbolising Sussex. The emblem consists of six gold martlets, on a blue field, blazoned as azure, six martlets, three, two and one, or. The first recorded use of the device is in an atlas by John Speed in 1622 to represent the Kingdom of Sussex. The six martlets may represent the traditional six sub-divisions of the county known as rapes. The martlets, or heraldic swallows, may also be a canting reference to the title of the Earls of Arundel, known as Earls of Sussex until the 13th century. The French for swallow is hirondelle, making a pun on the word Arundel. The emblem of Sussex continues to represent Sussex and forms the basis of the coats of arms of East and West Sussex County Councils and the badges of several organisations such as Sussex County Cricket Club, Sussex County Football League and Sussex Police.

Flora

	Known locally as the 'Pride of Sussex', the round-headed rampion (Phyteuma orbiculare) is the county flower of Sussex. The plant is more common on the South Downs than anywhere else in the United Kingdom.
	Also known as Sussex weed, the pendunculate oak (Quercus robur) is strongly associated with Sussex. Sussex oak was thought to be the best timber for shipbuilding be unmatched in durability and strength, qualities drawn from the ferruginous soil on which it grew.

Other symbols

	"Sussex by the Sea" is the unofficial county anthem of Sussex. Adopted by the Royal Sussex Regiment and popularised in World War I, it is sung at celebrations across the county, including those at Lewes Bonfire, and at sports matches, including those of Sussex County Cricket Club and Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club.
	We wunt be druv is the unofficial motto of Sussex. It is also used by some of the Sussex Bonfire Societies.
100px	Saint Richard of Chichester is the patron saint of Sussex. Since 2007, the translated feast day of St Richard, 16 June, has been celebrated as Sussex Day.
	The insignia and shield of a male figure holding a sword across his mouth has represented the diocese of Chichester since the 13th century. The imagery is parallel to that seen in an early 14th-century manuscript of the Apocalypse of St John. This illustrates several passages with a figure who variously has a sword across his mouth, holds an open book, and is seated on a throne.
	The sport of stoolball is strongly associated with Sussex; it has been referred to as Sussex's 'national' sport and a Sussex game or pastime. The sport's modern rules were codified at Glynde in 1881. Modern stoolball is centred on Sussex where the game was revived in the early 20th century by Major William Grantham.
100px	Sussex Pond Pudding is a traditional pudding believed to have originated in Susssex and first recorded in the 17th century.
100px	The Sussex trug is a type of wooden basket that is associated with Sussex, dating back to the 1500s and gaining renown at the Great Exhibition of 1851.

See also

• Cornish symbols
• Symbols of England
• Symbols of the United Kingdom