Interestingly the "logo" at Harvard was three books, two turned face up, but one turned face down to symbolize that man will not know all truth. Moreover, the original motto was "Veritas et Christo" Truth and Christ. Now, the logo is three books, all face up, and just "Veritas."
Moot point -have not verified it - But I recall the motto was Veritas Christo et Ecclesia Truth, Christ and the Church.
Harvard was originally founded by those "unenlightened" Puritans, as were most of the New England communities in early colonial times.