“Septies in die laudo te”

Saint Bernard is often depicted with a beehive and /or honeybees. The connection between Saint Bernard and a beehive comes from his title, Doctor Mellifluous (‘the Honey-Sweet Doctor’), given to him for his eloquent preaching. His words were regarded as flowing and sweet as honey, making the beehive a fitting symbol for him. The beehive also represents the diligent work of bees and the unity within a hive, concepts that reflect his monastic life. 

The esccutcheon explained: The chief (azure), a beehive (or) with two croziers crossed (or). the annulet (base) is that of Clairvaux (sable with a bend quarterly argent and gules), in its sinister quarter beneath the chief a lion, rampant (or), behind the escutcheon a crozier (or).

The motto: “Septies in die laudo te” – taken from Psalm 119:164, “Seven times a day do I praise thee” (KJV). The phrase means that the psalmist is continually or very often engaged in celebrating the praises of God, rather than a literal, rigid number. In biblical numerology, the number seven often symbolizes completeness or perfection, suggesting that the psalmist praises God a ’perfect’ or full number of times each day. Historically, this specific verse served as the scriptural foundation for the development of the Liturgy of the Hours, the traditional cycle of seven daily prayer times in the Cistercian Order. Related verse: “In the evening, and morning, and at noon-day will I pray, and that instantly and he shall hear my voice.” (Psalm 55:18)