Arms of Alan Roy Hudson

Blazon

Gules an opinicus rampant holding a closed book Or charged with a fleam Gules, on a chief Or an anchor between two red Disas (Disa uniflora) Gules;

Symbolism

The opinicus has been used as a heraldic symbol of surgery since the 16th century, and is therefore an indication of Dr. Hudson’s profession as a surgeon. The fleam knife is another symbol of surgery, and its placement on the book refers to the teaching and research component of Dr. Hudson’s work, as a Professor at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Medicine and as an author of numerous papers on neurosurgical research. The anchor, an ancient symbol of hope, is found in the arms of his birthplace of Cape Town and in those of his – and his wife’s – alma mater, the University of Cape Town. It also indicates Dr. Hudson’s love of sailing. The red disa flowers are the floral emblem of the former Cape Province and the current South African province of the Western Cape. They are found on Table Mountain, and thus remind Dr. Hudson of his experiences in mountain climbing.