- The Governor General of Canada
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David Alan Byng
Victoria, British Columbia
Grant of Arms, Flag and Badges, with differences to Tyler Alan Byng and David Mackenzie Byng
May 15, 2018
Vol. VII, p. 70
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Blazon
Arms
Sable two great horned owl heads erased and in base a compass rose Or;
Crest
A demi-Kermode bear proper holding a compass rose and issuant from a coronet of maple leaves Or and Pacific dogwood flowers proper, its rim Sable edged Or;
Motto
AD SPLENDIDA PER ANGUSTA;
Symbolism
Arms
The compass rose refers to Mr. Byng’s love of travel, especially on expeditions to remote parts of the globe, and to his fellowships in the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, the Royal Geographical Society (of the United Kingdom) and the Explorers Club. As an instrument showing direction, it also alludes to his career as a senior public servant in British Columbia. The owl heads represent Mr. Byng’s two sons and refer to the great horned owls that are found near his residence. As symbols of wisdom and knowledge, they allude to ideals cherished by the Byng family. They also refer to his service as Deputy Minister of Education for British Columbia, and to his wife’s career as a teacher.
Crest
The Kermode bear, native to British Columbia, is a symbol of the city of Terrace, in the Skeena Valley of north-western British Columbia, where Mr. Byng’s family were pioneer settlers. Terrace was the birthplace of Mr. Byng and his two sons, and the home town of his wife. The star refers to the North Star and thus to Mr. Byng’s roots in northern Canada. The Pacific dogwood is the floral emblem of British Columbia, and the maple leaf represents Canada.
Motto
This Latin phrase meaning “To splendours through narrow paths” is a variation on Ad augusta per angusta (“To the heights through narrow paths”) with the word splendida as a reference to the motto of British Columbia, Splendor sine occasu (“Splendour without diminishment”).