House van der Berg
The coat of arms of Sir Percival van der Berg, Chief Artificer and Co-Founder of the Technate of Koperdam, represents the ideals of the House of van der Berg and the principles upon which the Technate was founded. Every tincture and charge reflects the family's commitment to knowledge, progress, and the advancement of civilization.
Symbolism
The Black
The black field represents the unknown, perseverance, and resolve. To the House of van der Berg, the unknown is not something to fear, but something to understand. It also reflects the determination required to pursue progress and the industry from which Koperdam was forged.
The White
The white field symbolizes knowledge, truth, and enlightenment. It represents humanity's growing understanding of the world through reason and discovery, and the duty of each generation to leave behind greater knowledge than it inherited.
The Owl
The snowy owl is the heraldic emblem of the House of van der Berg, symbolizing wisdom through observation. It embodies patience, sound judgment, and the belief that true leadership begins with understanding before action.
The Torch
The Torch of Knowledge represents the light of discovery and humanity's responsibility to continue the unfinished work of the Vormgever. It serves as a symbol of innovation, education, and the continual pursuit of progress.
The Castle
The fortified castle atop the helm symbolizes the foundation of civilization and the mountain stronghold from which the Technate of Koperdam was founded. It represents stability and the protection of the institutions that preserve knowledge, including Het Groot Archief.