Coat of arms of the University of Pennsylvania

The coat of arms of the University of Pennsylvania is the assumed heraldic achievement of the University of Pennsylvania. The achievement in its current iteration was approved in 1932 and adopted in 1933. The blazon of the achievement is

"Arms: In the chief, gules, two open books and a dolphin, argent; in the ground, argent, a chevron, azure, with three plates, argent. Motto: Quid leges sine moribus vanae proficiunt."

Symbolism
The arms memorialize both Benjamin Franklin and the Penn family, who were both instrumental in the foundation of the university. They include the three plates of the Penn family arms and the dolphin of the Franklin shield.