What does Hoods badge and motto “Ventis Secundis” mean?
1. The badge is reportedly based on the arms for Lord Samuel Hood. It features a Cornish Chough proper holding a gold anchor bend sinister in its dexter foot, over an azure (blue) field. Beneath the bird and anchor is the figure “1859”. The sealed pattern for the badge, shown below, was officially approved on 06 September 1919. It was used both with and without the “1859” figure (e.g., the brass gun tampions did not have the figure, but stationary frequently did). The Cornish Chough is an endangered member of the crow family. In heraldry it is most commonly associated with Cornwall (which is where 1st Lord Hood was from). The anchor symbolises both hope and naval service. 2. “Ventis Secundis” is Latin for “With the Winds Favourable.” It is more commonly stated as “With Favourable Winds.” These words were supposedly spoken by Lord Samuel Hood (at that time an Admiral) during the battle of Martinique- he was ordered to take station down wind of the French and expressed (in Latin) his wis
