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Halifax, Nova Scotia
Grant of Arms, Supporters, Flag and Badge
July 15, 1999
Vol. III, p. 333
Arms of Halifax Regional MunicipalityBlazonAzure a saltire Or and a bezant merged thereon a Kingfisher between four broad arrows points outward Azure in fess two sailing vessels tempore 1760 flags flying to the dexter Or; SymbolismThe principal charge on the arms, St. Andrew’s cross, identifies the municipality as the seat of government of the province of Nova Scotia, whose arms also feature this charge. The four arms of the cross represent the four predecessor municipalities – the City of Halifax, the City of Dartmouth, the County of Halifax, and the Town of Bedford – which were amalgamated in 1996 into the Halifax Regional Municipality. The kingfisher is taken from the arms of the City of Halifax, while the ships and arrows recall the emblems of Dartmouth and Bedford respectively. |
CrestBlazonOn a mural coronet Or issuant therefrom a sprig of mayflower of four blossoms proper; SymbolismThe crest is a version of that granted to the City of Halifax by the Chief Herald of Canada in 1992. The mural coronet is a centuries-old symbol of municipal government. The mayflower is the floral emblem of Nova Scotia, and its four blossoms honours the Halifax Regional Municipality’s four predecessor local governments. |
MottoBlazonE MARI MERCES; SymbolismE MARI MERCES, meaning “Wealth from the sea”, was for many years the motto of the City of Halifax. |
SupportersBlazonOn a grassy mound Vert set dexter with garbs Or and sinister with spruce trees Vert between barry wavy Azure and Argent dexter a seahorse Or gorged with a circlet set with maple leaves Vert pendant therefrom an open book Argent bound Azure holding between its legs a staff Argent flying therefrom the banner of the Province of Nova Scotia proper sinister a like seahorse similarly gorged pendant therefrom two paddles in saltire Azure holding between its legs a staff Argent flying therefrom the banner of Halifax Regional Municipality proper; SymbolismThe sea-horses signify Halifax’s maritime location and heritage; their maple-leaf coronets celebrate the community’s status as Canada’s eastern gateway, and commemorate its contribution to the country’s defence. The book honours the community’s position as the seat of several institutions of higher learning. The paddles recall the canoes of the Mi’kmaq people and of the local settlers that once plied the region’s waterways; they also pay tribute to the community’s proud tradition of recreational water sports. The Nova Scotia flag is included by permission of the provincial government in recognition of the municipality’s status as the provincial capital. The municipal flag recognizes the municipal government’s obligations to defend the community’s interests. The garbs of wheat and the trees represent the region’s agricultural lands and forests respectively, and the blue and white wavy bars symbolize its maritime location while recalling the emblem of the former County of Halifax. |
Flag of Halifax Regional MunicipalityBlazonA banner of the Arms; SymbolismThe symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record. |
Badge of Halifax Regional MunicipalityBlazonA bezant charged with a saltire of four anchors flukes outward first and fourth fouled Azure ensigned by a coronet Argent set with mayflowers proper; SymbolismThe gold disc represents the wealth of the unified community. The anchors represent the region’s maritime and naval heritage, and their number the four original municipalities. The coronet of mayflowers identifies the municipality as the capital of Nova Scotia. |
BackgroundCanada Gazette InformationThe announcement of the letters patent was made on July 22, 2000 in Volume 134, page 2264 of the Canada Gazette.  |
Additional InformationCreator(s)Original concept of Robert D. Watt, Chief Herald of Canada, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority. PainterLinda Nicholson CalligrapherSuzzann Wright Recipient TypeCivil Institution
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