Provincial and Territorial Emblems

Emblems, Provincial and Territorial
Each Canadian province and territory has, at some point, chosen or been granted formal emblems to symbolize such things as its history, its flora and fauna, its geographical setting, and its existence as a sovereign entity. These emblems are coats of arms, flags and PROVINCIAL FLORAL EMBLEMS, and sometimes a tartan or an animal or mineral. Coats of arms are properly described in the formal language of HERALDRY, which, among English speakers, is a vocabulary derived from Norman French with borrowings from Latin and other languages. Since their descriptions are in words, the emblems may vary in their visual execution from artist to artist, but the basic elements must always appear in correct relation to one another. The following glossary is intended as an aid to interpretation of the heraldic description both here and in EMBLEMS OF CANADA.

Glossary
Addorsed: back to back; argent: silver; azure: blue; bar: narrow horizontal stripe; barrulet: narrow bar; barry: divided by horizontal lines; base: horizontal band occupying bottom third of shield (also called "champagne"); bezant: gold roundel; billety: strewn with billets (upright, oblong figures); charged: bearing a heraldic figure; chief: horizontal band occupying top third of shield; compartment: the base on which a shield rests, particularly with supporters; crined: referring to colour of mane, hair or beard; cross patée: cross with expanding arms; dexter: right side as seen from behind shield, hence viewer's left; escutcheon: shield; fesse: horizontal band occupying centre third of shield; field: background; fimbriated: bordered with a different tincture; fleury-counter-fleury: with fleurs-de-lis placed alternately in opposite directions; fructed: bearing fruit; garb: sheaf of grain; gorged: wearing a collar; guardant: with head turned to face viewer; gules: red; haurient (of fish or sea animal): vertical, with head upwards; helm: helmet; langued: referring to tincture of tongue; mantle: cloth hanging from helmet; mullet: a star; of the first, last, etc: of the first, last, etc, tincture mentioned in the description; or: gold; pale: vertical band occupying centre third of shield; pallet: 2 or more narrow vertical stripes; passant: walking; pile: wedge-shaped figure with point downward; proper: in normal colours; rampant: with one hind paw on ground, the other three raised, tail erect; reflexed: looped; roundel: circular shape; sable: black; sinister: left side as seen from behind shield, hence viewer's right; slipped: torn from stock or branch; statant: standing; tierced: in 3 parts of different colours; tinctures: colours and metals, the metals are argent and or; tressure: narrow band bordering shield, often double; unguled: referring to colour of hoofs, nails, claws; vair: bell-like shapes, white and blue; vert: green; wavy: formed like waves; wreath: garland on which the crest is borne.

Alberta

Coat of Arms The coat of arms was granted by King Edward VII 30 May 1907. The crest and supporters were granted 13 July 1980. Arms: Azure, in front of a range of snow mountains proper, a range of hills vert, in base a wheatfield surmounted by a prairie both also proper, on a chief argent, a St George's Cross. Crest: Upon a helm with wreath argent and gules, a beaver couchant upholding on its back the royal crown, both proper. Supporters: On the dexter side, a lion or armed and langued gules, and, on the sinister side, a pronghorn antelope proper; the compartment comprising a grassy mount with the floral emblem of the province of Alberta growing therefrom proper. Motto:"Fortis et liber" (Strong and Free).

Flag

The flag consists of a royal ultramarine blue field bearing in the centre the provincial arms. It was approved by Queen Elizabeth II on 1 May 1968 and proclaimed on June 1. The proportions are 2 by length and one by width. The arms are in length seven-elevenths of the flag's width.

British Columbia

Coat of ArmsThe coat of arms and motto were granted by King Edward VII 31 Mar 1906; crest, supporters and compartment by Elizabeth II, 15 October 1987. Arms: Argent, 3 bars wavy azure, issuant from the base a demi-sun in splendour proper, on a chief, the Union Device charged in the centre point with an antique crown or. Crest: Upon a helm with a wreath argent and gules the royal crest of general purpose of our royal predecessor Queen Victoria differenced for us and our successors in right of British Columbia with the lion thereof garlanded about the neck with the provincial flower that is to say the pacific dogwood (Comus nuttallii) with leaves all proper mantled gules doubled argent. Supporters: On the dexter side, a wapiti stag (Cervus canadensis) proper and on the sinister side a bighorn sheep ram (Ovis canadensis) argent armed and unguled or. Compartment: Beneath the shield a scroll entwined with pacific dogwood flowers slipped and leaved proper inscribed with the motto assigned by the said warrant of our royal predecessor King Edward VII that is to say "Splendor sine occasu" (Splendor without diminishment).

Flag

The royal warrant of 1906 authorized the use of the arms for the provincial flag. This was put into effect by a provincial order-in-council 20 June 1960. The proportions are 5 by length and 3 by width.

Manitoba

Coat of Arms The coat of arms was granted by King Edward VII 10 May 1905. Arms: Vert, on a rock, a buffalo statant proper, on a chief argent, the Cross of St George.

Flag

The Red Ensign, bearing in the fly the provincial arms, received royal approval 11 May 1965 and was proclaimed 12 May 1966. The proportions are 2 by length and one by width.

New Brunswick

Coat of Arms The coat of arms was granted by Queen Victoria 26 May 1868. The crest, supporters, compartment and motto were granted by Elizabeth II 24 September 1984. Arms: Or, on waves, a lymphad, or ancient galley, with oars in action proper, on a chief gules, a lion passant guardant or. Crest: Upon a helm with wreath or and gules within a coronet comprising 4 maple leaves (3 manifest) set upon a rim or water barry wavy azure and argent leaping therefrom an atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) upholding on its back our royal crown both proper mantled gules doubled or. Supporters: On either side a white tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) each gorged with a collar of Maliseet wampum proper and pendant therefrom an escutcheon that to the dexter bearing our union badge and that to the sinister the arms azure 3 fleur-des-lis or otherwise France modern. Compartment: Comprising a grassy mount with the floral emblem of the said province of New Brunswick the purple violet (Viola cucullata) and young ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris) commonly called fiddlehead growing therefrom all proper. Motto:"Spem reduxit" (Hope was restored).

Flag

The royal warrant of 1868 authorized the use of the arms for the provincial flag. This was put into effect by provincial proclamation, 24 February 1963. The proportions are 4 by length and 2.5 by width. The red portion with the lion occupies one-third of the surface.

Newfoundland

Coat of ArmsThe coat of arms was granted by King Charles I, 1 January 1637. Arms: Gules, a cross argent, in the first and fourth quarters, a lion passant guardant crowned or; in the second and third quarters, an unicorn passant of the second, armed, maned and unguled of the third, and gorged with a crown, thereto a chain affixed passing between the forelegs and reflected over his back, of the last. Mantling: Gules doubled argent. Crest: On a wreath or and gules an elk passant proper. Supporters: Two "savages of the clime" armed and apparelled according to their guise when they go to war. Motto:"Quaerite prime regnum dei" (Seek ye first the Kingdom of God).

Flag

Adopted by the provincial legislature, 28 May 1980. The flag is white. In the portion near the staff 4 right-angle triangles, all separated by the field, are arranged in pairs to form rectangular patterns horizontally. In the fly, a gold arrow bordered red between 2 red right-angle triangles, completely voided in their centre, point away from the staff.

Northwest Territories

Coat of Arms The coat of arms was authorized and approved by Queen Elizabeth II, 24 February 1956. Arms: Per bendwavy gules and vert billety or, in sinister chief, the mask of an arctic fox argent, on a chief indented also argent, a barrulet wavy azure. Crest: On a wreath argent and gules, a compass rose proper between 2 narwhals haurient and addorsed or.

Flag

The flag adopted by the territorial council, 1 January 1969, is divided vertically in the proportions: one blue (near staff), 2 white (middle), one blue (fly). The white square displays in its centre the arms of the Northwest Territories.

Nova Scotia

Coat of Arms The coat of arms was first granted by King Charles I in 1626. It was reinstated by King George V 19 January 1929, to supersede the coat of arms granted 26 May 1868. Arms: Argent, a Cross of St Andrew azure charged with an escutcheon of the Royal Arms of Scotland. Crest: On a wreath of the colours, a branch of laurel and a thistle issuing from two hands conjoined, the one being armed and the other naked, all proper. Supporters: On the dexter side, an unicorn argent armed, crined and unguled or, and crowned with the imperial crown proper, and gorged with a coronet composed of crosses patée and fleurs-de-lis a chain affixed thereto passing through the forelegs and reflexed over the back, or. And on the sinister side, a savage holding in the exterior hand an arrow, proper. Motto:"Munit haec et altera vincit" (One defends and the other conquers).

Flag

The royal warrant of 1929 authorized the use of the arms for the provincial flag.

Nunavut

Coat of ArmsThe coat of arms was granted by Governor General Roméo LeBlanc on 1 April 1999. Arms: The colours blue and gold symbolize the riches of the land, sea and sky; the INUKSUK symbolizes the stone monuments which guide travel on land and mark both sacred and special places; the qulliq, or Inuit stone lamp, represents light and the warm of family and community; the five gold circles signify the life-giving properties of the sun; and the North Star ("Niqirtsuituq") is the traditional guide for navigation. Crest: The IGLOO represents traditional life and the means of survival. The base of the crest is composed of land and sea, and contains three species of Arctic wild flowers. Supporters: The tuktu (CARIBOU) and qilalugaq tugaalik (NARWHAL) refer to the land and sea animals that are part of Nunavut's natural heritage. Motto: "Nunavut Sanginivut" ("Nunavut, our strength" in Inuktitut).

Flag

The flag, granted by Governor General Roméo LeBlanc on 1 April 1999, contains the colours (blue and gold), the inuksuk and the North Star that is depicted on the coat of arms. Red is a reference to Canada.

Ontario

Coat of Arms The coat of arms was granted by Queen Victoria 26 May 1868; the crest, supporters and motto were granted by King Edward VII 27 February 1909. Arms: Vert, a sprig of 3 leaves of maple slipped or, on a chief argent, the Cross of St George. Crest: On a wreath of the colours, a bear passant sable. Supporters: On the dexter side, a moose, and on the sinister side a Canadian deer both proper. Motto:"Ut incepit fidelis sic permanet" (Loyal it began, loyal it remains).

Flag

The Red Ensign, bearing in the fly the provincial arms, received royal approval as the provincial flag 14 April 1965, and was proclaimed on May 21. The proportions are 2 by length and one by width.

Prince Edward Island

Coat of Arms The coat of arms was granted by King Edward VII 30 May 1905. Arms: Argent, on an island vert, to the sinister an oak tree fructed, to the dexter thereof 3 oak saplings sprouting all proper, on a chief gules, a lion passant guardant or. Motto:"Parva sub ingenti" (The small under the protection of the great).

Flag

The 1905 warrant authorized the use of the provincial arms for the flag. On 24 March 1964 the province adopted a design bearing the arms within a red and white border. The proportions are 6' (183 cm) by length and 4' (122 cm) by width including the border, which is 3´ (7.6 cm) wide. The alternating strips of the border are each 10´ (25 cm) long.

Québec

Coat of Arms The coat of arms was authorized by a provincial order-in-council on 9 December 1939. These arms resemble those granted by Queen Victoria in 1868 except that the upper portion bears 3 gold fleurs-de-lis on a blue field instead of 2 blue fleurs-de-lis on a gold field. The same order-in-council approved the use of the royal crown above the shield. The motto, adopted 1883, was suggested by Eugène Taché, architect of the "palais législatif."Arms: Tierced in fesse: 1, azure, 3 fleurs-de-lis or; 2, gules, a lion passant guardant or; 3, or, a sprig of 3 leaves of sugar maple vert veined of the field. Motto:"Je me souviens" (I remember), in letters azure within a scroll argent edged azure.

Flag

Adopted 21 January 1948 by an order-in-council and by an Act assented to 9 March 1950, the fleur-de-lis flag is described as "Azure a cross between 4 fleurs-de-lis argent." The proportions are 6 units by length, 4 by width, and the arms of the cross are one unit wide.

Saskatchewan

Coat of Arms The coat of arms was granted by King Edward VII 25 August 1906; the crest, supporters and motto by Elizabeth II, 16 September 1986. Arms: Vert, 3 garbs in fesse or, on a chief of the last, a lion passant guardant gules. Crest: Upon a helm with a wreath argent and gules a beaver upholding with its back the royal crown and holding in the dexter fore-claws a western red lily (Lilium philadelphicum andinum) slipped all proper, mantled gules doubled argent. Supporters: Or the dexter side a lion or gorged with a collar of prairie Indian beadwork proper and dependent thereupon a 6-pointed mullet-faceted argent fimbriated and garnished or charged with a maple leaf gules and on the sinister side a white tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) proper gorged with a like collar and dependent therefrom a like mullet charged with a western red lily slipped and leaved proper. Motto: Beneath the shield a scroll entwined with western red lilies slipped and leaved proper inscribed with the motto "Multis e gentibus vires" (out of many peoples, strength).

Flag

Saskatchewan's flag was officially dedicated 22 September 1969. It is divided horizontally, green above and yellow below. On the green portion near the staff are the provincial arms. In the fly over both tinctures is the provincial floral emblem.

Yukon

Coat of Arms The coat of arms was authorized by Queen Elizabeth II on 24 February 1956. Arms: Azure, on a pallet wavy argent a like pallet of the field, issuant from base 2 piles reversed gules edged also argent each charged with 2 bezants in pale, on a chief argent, a cross gules surmounted of a roundel vair. Crest: On a wreath or and gules, a husky dog standing on a mount of snow proper.

Flag

The flag, adopted by the territorial council in 1967, is divided vertically in equal parts: green (near the staff), white (middle), blue (fly). On the white field above a wreath of fireweed are the arms of the Yukon with the crest.

Author AUGUSTE VACHON

Suggested Reading
A.B. Beddoe, Beddoe's Canadian Heraldry (1981); Canada, Secretary of State, The Arms, Flags and Emblems of Canada (1981); C. Swan, Canada: Symbols of Sovereignty (1977).

Links to Other Sites
Historica-Dominion Institute
The website for the Historica-Dominion Institute, parent organization of The Canadian Encyclopedia and the Encyclopedia of Music in Canada. Check out their extensive online feature about the War of 1812, the "Heritage Minutes" video collection, and many other interactive resources concerning Canadian history, culture, and heritage.