- The Governor General of Canada
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Andrew Colin Murdoch
Richmond, British Columbia
Grant of Arms, Flag and Badges, with differences to Brendan Kevin Murdoch and Sabrina Michelle Murdoch
March 15, 2021
Vol. VII, p. 343
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Blazon
Arms
Bendy sinister Gules and Sable, a claymore palewise point in base its guard Argent, hilted, pommeled and surmounted by two quills in saltire Or;
Crest
A raven rising wings displayed Sable semé of stellar lights and transfixed through the breast by an arrow bendwise sinister Argent feathered Gules;
Motto
ÈIRICH;
Symbolism
Arms
Red and black are Mr. Murdoch’s favourite colours. The diagonal stripes starting in the upper right—called “bendy sinister” in the language of heraldry—allude to what he considers his sinister sense of humour. The quills symbolize Mr. Murdoch’s love of writing and calligraphy. The claymore sword represents his Scottish ancestry. Pointing down in a resting position behind the two quills, it expresses one of Mr. Murdoch’s favourite sayings, “The pen is mightier than the sword.”
Crest
The raven shot by an arrow alludes to the crest of the Scottish Murdoch families, which, according to legend, refers to a young man named Murdoch demonstrating his skill in archery by shooting ravens with an arrow. For Mr. Murdoch, the raven also symbolizes overcoming adversity by trying to fly despite injury. The stellar lights represent his passion for science fiction and his volunteer work in that field, organizing events and writing for fanzines.
Motto
Meaning “Arise,” this Scottish Gaelic phrase alludes to overcoming adversity, such as in Mr. Murdoch’s work of assisting those recovering from brain and physical injury to safely operate a motor vehicle again.