The Meaning of the Phillips Brooks Lion
The Phillips Brooks School lion is a daily presence on the PBS uniform; from full dress uniform to the daily t-shirts our students wear. The official history of the PBS lion unfolds from its roots in literature. The PBS lion is based on the lion Aslan from C.S. Lewis' 'Chronicles of Narnia' series, and in particular, from the sixth book of the series, 'The Magician's Nephew.' In that book, two little children stand cold, afraid and lost in a bleak, forbidding world. Aslan appears, pacing back and forth, his mouth open in a beautiful song 'beyond comparison,' as he draws forth all creation. The children are soothed by Aslan's music and find joy, power and serenity in the world's creation. Jack Towner, The Phillips Brooks School's first headmaster, wrote at the time that Aslan became the School symbol because each one of us at some time stands in a dark and fearful place, alone and wondering if light and life will ever appear, waiting for a song to evoke light in the dark and to fill our world with warmth and living creatures. We need a symbol who is always calling forth creation and life.' Aslan, the lion, is that symbol. It represents the work of The Phillips Brooks School, to bring creative ideas and spiritual awareness and understanding to young minds. But more than that, it is full of joy and life like the children of PBS.
Two other symbols accompanying the lion in the PBS crest tell the story of the School's heritage. The lion holds a three-branched candelabra in his right paw. The candelabra signifies the Trinity and recalls our School's early days as Trinity Parish School. It also reminds us of Phillips Brooks' service as rector of Trinity Church in Boston. The star above the lion is from the shield of St. Bede, a great scholar of his time. St. Bede's Episcopal Church was the site of the School in its early days, before the School separated from the church and reopened in September 1978 as The Phillips Brooks School at its current location. Additionally, it is interesting to note that the star plays a role in the story of the lion Aslan. While Aslan sings, stars appear where once there had been nothing but darkness. Again, the star serves as a wonderful symbol of The Phillips Brooks School mission.