- The Governor General of Canada
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Jeremiah Abraham
Toronto, Ontario
Grant of Arms and Flag
September 15, 2003
Vol. IV, p. 314
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Blazon
Arms
Per fess embattled Gules and Argent, in chief a ram's head caboshed between two mullets of six points Argent and in base a mortar and pestle Azure;
Crest
A torah crown Azure charged with a pair of hands in benediction Argent;
Motto
(in Hebrew);
Symbolism
Arms
The blue and white colours are traditionally associated with Judaism. The red refers to animal offerings brought to the Temple in Jerusalem, and thus to Mr. Abraham’s descent from priests who served there. Together, the colours are also those of the United States of America, Mr. Abraham’s birthplace. The mortar and pestle is a symbol of the pharmaceutical profession to which Mr. Abraham and his family members belong. The ram refers to the family name, an allusion to the patriarch Abraham. The crenellated line was chosen by Mr. Abraham as a reference to the walls of Jerusalem. The stars have several meanings. First, they resemble the familiar Magen David, or shield (“star”) of David. Second, they refer to the Lord’s promise to Abraham that his children would be as numerous as the stars in the sky. Third, they make a reference to the word Stella (Latin for “star”), the name of Mr. Abraham’s pharmaceutical firm and the given name of his mother. Finally, they can refer to the United States of America, as some early American flags used six-pointed stars.
Crest
The Torah crown is a further reference to Mr. Abraham’s faith and his support for Jewish educational institutions. The arrangement of the hands is that of a priest giving a blessing.
Motto
This is a famous Hebrew phrase meaning “Wisdom, understanding, knowledge.”