Wigan Borough Crest

'Progress with Unity’, the motto of the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan, is an apt one for an authority which embraces 14 former districts.

The black lozenges allude to coal mining and reflect the arms of Atherton Urban District Council (UDC), Golborne UDC and Hindley UDC.

The red roses refer to the County of Lancashire, and Golborne and Hindley UDCs.

The gold lion couchant is taken from the crest of the borough of Wigan and features in one of the ancient seals of that borough.

The crowned castle is taken from the shield of the borough of Wigan, the castle and crown being elements from one of the borough’s medieval seals.

The mountain ash or Wiggin Tree is chosen as a pun on the name of the district.

Branches of this tree are borne by the supporters in the Arms of the borough of Wigan and the tree features in many of the borough’s medieval seals.

The dexter supporter is taken from the achievement of the borough of Wigan. The lion here wears a crown of the type which features in the crest.

The sparrowhawk occurs in the Arms of the borough of Leigh and in the crest of the Atherton UDC.