Canadian Heraldic Authority

The contents of this Register are intended for research purposes only. The heraldic emblems found in the Register may not be reproduced in any form or in any media without the written consent of the Canadian Heraldic Authority and/or the recipient.

Ottawa, Ontario
Grant of Arms, Batons, and Badges of Office
January 15, 1994
Vol. II, p. 281

Arms for the Herald Chancellor
Arms for the Herald Chancellor Arms for the Deputy Herald Chancellor Arms for the Chief Herald of Canada Arms of the Canadian Heraldic Authority
Badge of Office for Saint-Laurent Herald Badge of Office for Athabaska Herald Badge of Office of Fraser Herald
 
Arms for the Herald Chancellor

Arms of Office for the Herald Chancellor

Blazon

For the Herald Chancellor: Gules a maple tree eradicated Or;

Symbolism

For the Herald Chancellor: As well as being a national emblem, the maple tree represents the predominant species on the grounds of Rideau Hall, the official site of the Authority.

Insignia - Honour

Blazon

Baton of Office of the Herald Chancellor: A staff Gules spiralled of escutcheons of the Arms of the Canadian Heraldic Authority the ends tipped Or;

Symbolism

Baton of Office of the Herald Chancellor: The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.

Arms for the Deputy Herald Chancellor

Arms of Office of the Deputy Herald Chancellor

Blazon

For the Deputy Herald Chancellor: Gules a maple tree eradicated within a bordure Argent;

Symbolism

For the Deputy Herald Chancellor: The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.

Insignia - Honour

Blazon

Baton of Office of the Deputy Herald Chancellor: A staff Argent spiralled of escutcheons of the Arms of the Canadian Heraldic Authority fimbriated Gules the ends tipped also Gules;

Symbolism

Baton of Office of the Deputy Herald Chancellor: The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.

Arms for the Chief Herald of Canada

Arms of Office of the Chief Herald of Canada

Blazon

For the Chief Herald of Canada: Gules an inescutcheon Argent charged with a maple leaf Gules and ensigned by a coronet érablé Argent the rim set with twelve jewels Gules (six visible);

Symbolism

For the Chief Herald of Canada: Red and white are the colours of Canada. The shield bearing a maple leaf is emblematic of Canadian heraldry, while the maple leaf coronet indicates that the granting of arms is a power exercised on behalf of the Crown.

Insignia - Honour

Blazon

Baton of Office of the Chief Herald of Canada: A staff Argent spiralled of a band Azure charged with maple leaves Argent at either end a ferrule Or charged with escutcheons of the Arms of the Chief Herald of Canada the ends tipped Gules;

Symbolism

Baton of Office of the Chief Herald of Canada: The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.

Arms of the Canadian Heraldic Authority

Arms of the Canadian Heraldic Authority

Blazon

Argent on a maple leaf Gules an inescutcheon Argent;

Symbolism

The nature and work of the Authority itself are represented in the shield of arms, on which Canada’s red maple leaf bears a plain white shield as a sign of heraldry to be created and recorded for Canadians.

Crest

Blazon

A lion passant guardant Or royally crowned Proper its dexter forepaw resting on an escutcheon Argent charged with a maple leaf Gules;

Symbolism

The crest is a variation of the Royal Crest of Canada, emblematic of the viceregal office. In this case, the crowned Royal Lion carries a white shield bearing a red maple leaf, symbolizing the exercise of the Sovereign’s heraldic prerogative by the Governor General.

Motto

Blazon

HONORENTUR · PATRIAM · HONORANTES;

Symbolism

The Latin motto can be translated as: "Let those who honour their country be honoured".

Supporters

Blazon

On a representation of an outcrop of the Canadian Shield proper strewn with maple leaves Gules and maple seeds Or two raven-bears Gules over Argent wings elevated Gules beaked and armed Or;

Symbolism

The supporters are special heraldic beasts, half raven and half polar bear. Many First Nations in Canada regard the raven as a creator or transformer, while the polar bear is known for its strength and endurance. These supporters represent the responsibility of Canada's heralds to create symbols for a wide range of Canadian institutions and individuals. The supporters rest on an outcrop of the Canadian Shield, representing the solid foundations on which the Authority has been established.

Badge of Office for Saint-Laurent Herald

Badge of Office for Saint-Laurent Herald

Blazon

For Saint-Laurent Herald: A cross flory Azure surmounting a grid Or enflamed proper;

Symbolism

For Saint-Laurent Herald: The gridiron symbol of the martyrdom of St. Lawrence, the namesake of Eastern Canada's greatest and most historic river, is shown enflamed beneath a blue cross, the ends of which terminate in fleurs-de-lis, symbol of Royal France, New France and Quebec.

Badge of Office for Athabaska Herald

Badge of Office for Athabaska Herald

Blazon

For the Athabaska Herald: A wild rose Gules seeded Or surmounting two Athapascan copper knives in saltire Or bound Sable;

Symbolism

For Athabaska Herald: The Wild Rose, floral emblem of the province of Alberta, is placed over two traditional Athapascan copper knives, honouring this native linguistic group and the great river and region of Northwestern Canada, which share various spellings of this name.

Badge of Office of Fraser Herald

Badge of Office of Fraser Herald

Blazon

For the Fraser Herald: A sun in splendour the disk barry wavy Azure and Or charged with fraise Argent the straight rays Or the wavy Azure;

Symbolism

For Fraser Herald: The badge combines symbolism of the sun and water, indicating that the Fraser River is the most important river in British Columbia, which features a sun on its provincial arms. Traditionally, water is depicted in heraldry by white and blue wavy stripes, and the substitution here of gold for white makes a reference to the gold deposits in the Fraser River, which led to the Cariboo gold rush. At the centre of the badge is a cinquefoil, a stylized heraldic flower of five petals. As this is a feature of coats of arms within the Scottish Clan Fraser, it pays tribute to the river's namesake, the explorer Simon Fraser.

 

Background

Canada Gazette Information

The announcement of the letters patent was made on March 24, 2001 in Volume 135, page 936 of the Canada Gazette.

Letters patent granting heraldic emblems to the Canadian Heraldic Authority, painted by Joan Bouwmeester

Additional Information

Creator(s)

Original concept of Robert D. Watt, Chief Herald of Canada, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.

Painter

Cathy Bursey-Sabourin / Joan Bouwmeester

Calligrapher

Joan Bouwmeester

Recipient Type

Civil Institution
Federal Agency