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Toronto, Ontario
Grant of Arms, Flag and Badge
September 15, 2021
Vol. VIII, p. 20
Arms of Ian Leslie MacdonaldBlazonOr a lymphad sails furled oars in action Sable flagged Gules, on a chief per saltire Sable and Argent a vesica piscis between two flaunches Or; SymbolismThe black ship on gold is common to Macdonald coats of arms as an indication of the historical title of Lord of the Isles. For Mr. Macdonald, it represents the various Scottish isles on which his ancestors were born, as well as the emigration of his ancestors from Scotland to Canada. The oval, triangles, and semi-ovals illustrate the physics of light refracted through a lens, and how an image is captured through the eyes. They symbolize Mr. Macdonald’s work as a renowned photographer, having been commissioned several times by Her Majesty The Queen. |
CrestBlazonA red-tailed hawk wings addorsed and inverted proper grasping in its talons a plate and issuant from a coronet of maple leaves and thistles Or; SymbolismThe red-tailed hawk is a bird with which Mr. Macdonald feels a particular affinity. As a keen-eyed hunter, it also alludes to his service with the 48th Highlanders of Canada as the regiment’s photographer. The white disc symbolizes a camera’s lens and connects to the Motto. The thistles refer to Mr. Macdonald’s Scottish heritage. The maple leaves represent Canada. |
MottoBlazonLOOK AND BEHOLD; SymbolismThis phrase identifies the purpose of a photographer. |
Flag of Ian Leslie MacdonaldBlazonOr a lymphad sails furled oars in action Sable flagged Gules, adextré the chief of the Arms palewise; SymbolismThe symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record. |
Badge of Ian Leslie MacdonaldBlazonOn a roundel per saltire Azure and Argent an eagle’s head couped Argent; SymbolismThe disc’s division represents a camera lens capturing an image. Blue and white are prominent colours in the Badge of the 48th Highlanders, which features a falcon’s head. Together, they symbolize Mr. Macdonald’s role as the regimental photographer. |
BackgroundCanada Gazette InformationThe announcement of the letters patent was made on December 11, 2021 in Volume 155, page 5670 of the Canada Gazette.    |
Additional InformationCreator(s)Original concept of Darrel Kennedy, Assiniboine Herald, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority. PainterDesirée Kern CalligrapherYolande Lessard Recipient TypeIndividual |