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Vancouver, British Columbia
Grant of Arms, Supporters, Flag and Badges
August 20, 2010
Vol. V, p. 538
Arms of The Sir John A. Macdonald Historical SocietyBlazonQuarterly, 1st Argent a lion rampant Gules, 2nd Or a dexter hand couped fesswise proper holding a cross-crosslet fitché Azure, 3rd Or a lymphad sails furled and oars in action Sable flagged Gules, 4th barry wavy Argent and Azure a salmon naiant proper, overall on a fess bretessed Vert a maple leaf Or between two dogwood flowers Argent seeded Or; SymbolismThe design is based on the arms granted by the Lord Lyon King of Arms in 1970 in memory of Sir John A. Macdonald, composed of the arms of the chief of Clan Macdonald of Sleat with the addition of a green fess. Here, the fess features two dogwood flowers, the floral emblem of British Columbia, and a maple leaf for Canada. The shape of the fess resembles railway tracks and ties, thus representing Macdonald’s great legacy, the transcontinental railway, which was especially important for British Columbia. |
CrestBlazonA dexter hand in armour fesswise proper holding a cross-crosslet fitché Gules issuant from a circlet of dogwood flowers Argent seeded Or; SymbolismThe hand and cross crest of the chief of Macdonald of Sleat was used by Sir John A. Macdonald. The dogwood flowers make the crest unique to the Society. |
MottoBlazonADHERE TO THE UNION; SymbolismThis phrase is taken from a speech delivered in 1861 by Sir John A. Macdonald and refers to Canadian unity: “Whatever you do, adhere to the union. We are a great country, and shall become one of the greatest in the universe if we preserve it”. |
SupportersBlazonTwo mermaids proper issuant from barry wavy Azure and Or; SymbolismMermaids symbolize eloquence and thus the Society’s mandate in hosting an annual dinner featuring a speech by a prominent Canadian. The yellow and blue stylized water indicates the setting sun over the Pacific Ocean. |
Flag of The Sir John A. Macdonald Historical SocietyBlazonA banner of the Arms; SymbolismThe symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record. |
Badge of The Sir John A. Macdonald Historical SocietyBlazonOn a dogwood flower Argent seeded Or a dexter hand in armour fesswise proper holding a cross-crosslet fitché Gules; SymbolismThe first badge uses symbols in the arms and crest. |
Badge of The Sir John A. Macdonald Historical SocietyBlazonA roundel tierced in fess Azure, Argent and Gules; SymbolismThe second badge is the rosette awarded by the Society for long service. Its colours are taken from the Royal Union Flag. |
BackgroundCanada Gazette InformationThe announcement of the letters patent was made on March 26, 2011 in Volume 145, page 1075 of the Canada Gazette.  |
Additional InformationCreator(s)Original concept of Bruce Patterson, Saint-Laurent Herald, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority. PainterDavid Farrar CalligrapherShirley Mangione Recipient TypeCivil Institution
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