Insignia form an indispensable part of Masaryk Universtiy
traditions. As early as the Middle Ages, insignia have stood for
a sovereign symbol of universities. At first, insignia reflected
the exclusive status of universities in the medieval society; in
the modern times, however, the meaning of insignia was reduced
only to be fulfilling a representative function. A seal, a
sceptre and a medal with a chain represent the oldest insignia
of the university. The university could obtain its principal
insignias in a traditional way – insignias were donated by the
founder of the university or by another distinguished persona.
President Masaryk commissioned Otakar Španiel to design a new
medal. The foreside depicts a portrait of T. G. Masaryk; while
the essential motif of the reverse side is the dedication: “To
Masaryk University in Brno by the President” together with a
facsimile of Masaryk's signature. The same foreside, but with
different reverse side – the central national emblem – appears
on the Vice-Chancellor ch