- The Governor General of Canada
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Agnese Di Leonardi
Toronto, Ontario
Grant of Arms, Flag and Badges
October 15, 2021
Vol. VIII, p. 25
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Blazon
Arms
Lozengy Gules and Argent a lioness rampant Or gorged of a wing collar and court tabs Argent, on a chief enarched Or a poppy flower proper between two maunches addorsed Gules;
Crest
A lamb passant guardant proper resting its dexter foreleg on a closed book affronty Gules charged with a lozenge Or;
Motto
STRIVE UPWARDS;
Symbolism
Arms
The lioness alludes to Ms. Di Leonardi’s surname, leo meaning “lion” in Latin. A lion is also found in the arms of the commune of Alvito, Italy, from where Ms. Di Leonardi’s parents immigrated to Canada. The poppy further recalls Alvito, since the commune is noted for its poppies. The wing collar and the court tabs indicate Ms. Di Leonardi’s profession as a lawyer. The lozenge is a heraldic symbol that is often used for the arms of a woman. Shown here in a repeated pattern of red and white, the colours of Canada, it symbolizes the mentoring support she has provided to Canadian women leaders. The stylized lady’s sleeve harkens back to the medieval practice of awarding this item during tournaments as a sign of support, therefore referring to Ms. Di Leonardi’s contributions of good words and deeds as ways of giving to the community.
Crest
The lamb alludes to Ms. Di Leonardi’s name, Agnese. She is named after Saint Agnes, whose symbol is a white lamb lying on a gold book. The book itself, decorated with a gold emblem, represents a law book.
Motto
STRIVE UPWARDS.