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Duncan, British Columbia
Grant of Arms, Flag and Badge, with differences to Cadan Tong Ritter
November 20, 2014
Vol. VI, p. 467
Arms of Kurt Allen RitterBlazonSable a phoenix, on a chief potenty Or a lion’s face between two spurs Sable; SymbolismBlack and yellow are the colours of the Duchy of Württemberg, in present-day Germany, whence Dr. Ritter’s family came. The phoenix refers to the Chinese heritage of Dr. Ritter’s wife. The lion’s face, reminiscent of the lions found on the arms of Württemberg, represents, for Dr. Ritter, vigilance, which is at the core of his profession as a doctor. The spurs, objects traditionally bestowed during the ceremony of creating a knight (Ritter in German), allude to the surname. The T-shaped line makes reference to crutches, an aid to healing, and to the idea of strength, thus symbolizing Dr. Ritter’s medical career and in particular his work in the field of pain management for cancer patients. |
CrestBlazonAn owl close holding in the dexter claw two opium poppies proper; SymbolismThe owl is found in the arms of Hughes Hall, Cambridge University, which Dr. Ritter attended. The opium poppies, an early form of anesthesia, refer to his profession as an anesthesiologist. |
MottoBlazonTHE FUTURE IS ESTABLISHED TODAY; SymbolismThis motto is based on a quote by Harvey Spencer Lewis: “I am tomorrow, or some future day, what I establish today. I am today what I established yesterday or some previous day”. |
Flag of Kurt Allen RitterBlazonA banner of the Arms; SymbolismThe symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record. |
Badge of Kurt Allen RitterBlazonA square potenty Sable charged with an owl’s head crowned with an antique coronet Or; SymbolismThe symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record. |
Differenced Arms for Cadan Tong Ritter, son of Kurt Allen RitterBlazonThe Arms of Kurt Allen Ritter debruised of a three-point label Argent during his father’s lifetime. This individual will inherit the Arms of the Recipient following his death; SymbolismThe symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record. |
BackgroundCanada Gazette InformationThe announcement of the letters patent was made on October 3, 2015 in Volume 149, page 2336 of the Canada Gazette.  |
Additional InformationCreator(s)Original concept of Kurt Ritter and Bruce Patterson, Deputy Chief Herald of Canada, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority. PainterDebra MacGarvie CalligrapherDoris Wionzek Recipient TypeIndividual |