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Coat of arms of Canada

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Canada's coat of arms was proclaimed by King George V on April 30, 1921. They are at times referred to as the "royal arms of Canada" or the "arms of Her Majesty in Right of Canada," as they are theoretically the arms of the Sovereign - not of the state.

Symbols

Shield

The shield contains five parts, consisting of four quarters at the top that represent European nations that contributed to Canada's founding and a portion at the bottom with a sprig of three maple leaves representing Canadians of all origins.

The first quarter at the viewer's top left (in heraldic terms the top right of the shield) contains the three golden lions of England that have for centuries been a symbol of that country. The second quarter bears the Scottish lion and double border with fleurs-de-lis, while the third quarter shows the Irish harp of Tara. Legend states that this golden harp with silver strings was used in royal banquets at Tara, a capital of ancient Ireland, and was later given to Henry VIII by the pope during his attempt to succeed to the Irish throne. The gold fleurs-de-lis of royal France, the first European emblem raised in Canada by Jacques Cartier during his landing at Gaspé, fills the fourth quadrant.

The sprig of red maple leaves at the bottom is a distinctly Canadian symbol that became gradually identified with the country throughout the 19th century. Initially, the leaves were coloured green on the coat of arms because it was thought to represent youth, as opposed to the red colour of dying leaves in autumn. The leaves were later redrawn with the current colour to be in line with the official colours of Canada.

Ribbon

The ribbon is marked desiderantes meliorem patriam, meaning "they desire a better country." It is the motto of the Order of Canada. This component of the arms was added in 1994 by The Queen on the advice of then Prime Minister Jean Chrétien.

Helm

The barred gold helm facing forward represents royal sovereignty and is draped in a mantle of Canada's official colours, red and white.

Crest and Crown

The crest consists of a twisted wreath or ring in red and white on which is standing a crowned gold lion holding a maple leaf in its right paw. This symbol is used by the Governor-General, The Queen's representative in Canada. At the top is St Edward's Crown, the style of imperial crown preferred by Her Majesty. (See the article on the royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom for a discussion of different styles of crown historically used in the Commonwealth.)

Supporters

Supporting the shield on either side are the English lion and Scottish unicorn, which are also the supporters of the UK coat of arms. The lion stands on the viewer's left (heraldically right) and holds a gold-pointed silver lance flying the Union Jack. The unicorn has a gold horn, a gold mane, gold hooves, and around its neck a gold, chained coronet of crosses and fleurs-de-lis; it holds a lance flying the three gold fleurs-de-lis of royal France on a blue background. Unlike the British version, neither supporter is crowned.

Motto

The motto of Canada is a mari usque ad mare ("from sea to sea"), a reference to Psalm 72:8. This phrase was first used in Canada in 1906 when it was engraved on the mace of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan. (See the list of state mottos.)

Floral Emblems

At the base of the arms are roses, thistles, shamrocks, and fleurs-de-lis, the floral emblems associated with England, Scotland, Ireland, and France respectively.

Blazon

Here is the heraldic blazon of Canada's coat of arms:

Tierced in fesse the first and second divisions containing the quarterly coat following, namely, 1st Gules three lions passant guardant in pale or, 2nd, Or a lion rampant within a double tressure flory-counter-flory gules, 3rd, Azure a harp or stringed argent, 4th, Azure, three fleurs-de-lis or, and the third division Argent three maple leaves conjoined on one stem proper. And upon a Royal helmet mantled argent doubled gules the Crest, that is to say, On a wreath of the colours argent and gules a lion passant guardant or imperially crowned proper and holding in the dexter paw a maple leaf gules. And for Supporters On the dexter a lion rampant or holding a lance argent, point or, flying therefrom to the dexter the Union Flag, and on the sinister A unicorn argent armed crined and unguled or, gorged with a coronet composed of crosses-patée and fleurs-de-lis a chain affixed thereto reflexed of the last, and holding a like lance flying therefrom to the sinister a banner azure charged with three fleurs-de-lis or; the whole ensigned with the Imperial Crown proper and below the shield upon a wreath composed of roses, thistles, shamrocks and lillies a scroll azure inscribed with the motto A mari usque ad mare.

Other Canadian Coats of Arms

Alberta - British Columbia - Manitoba - New Brunswick - Newfoundland and Labrador - Northwest Territories - Nova Scotia - Nunavut - Ontario - Quebec - Prince Edward Island - Saskatchewan - Yukon

See Also

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