The Manchester Bee

For over 170 years, the worker bee has represented the people and the city of Manchester. A coat of arms was created for the industrial powerhouse in 1842 after being commissioned by city officials. The finished work featured a globe at the top, with seven worker bees swarming around it. The significance of the seven bees related to the seven seas upon which the cities trade thrived.

The worker bees were representative of the people of Manchester, who had raised the city from the ground. Without access to abundant natural resources or a Royal purse, the city had been built by the people, for the people. Much like a beehive is constructed by the worker bees.