- The Governor General of Canada
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Frédéric Bernier
Sherbrooke, Quebec
Grant of Arms, Flags and Badges, with differences to Gabriel Noah Bernier, Liam Nathaniel Bernier and Raphaël James Bernier
May 20, 2022
Vol. VIII, p. 91
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Blazon
Arms
Per fess Azure and Argent, in chief a lion passant guardant holding in its dexter paw a key bow in chief Or, in base a wyvern passant contourné Azure collared and chained Or;
Crest
A demi-lion Azure winged Argent, gorged with a coronet of maple leaves, fleurs-de-lis and roses, holding a rod of Aesculapius Or and issuant from flames proper;
Motto
PESSIMUM PARARE OPTIMUM SPERARE;
Symbolism
Arms
For Dr. Bernier, the juxtaposition of the lion and the wyvern represents the eternal struggle between one’s ideals and temptations. Blue represents water, while white embodies the purity of ideals and gold symbolizes strength and loyalty. The key alludes to the importance of learning and, therefore, Dr. Bernier’s role as a university professor. The four loops on the key represent his wife and three children.
Crest
The winged lion rising from the flames alludes to ideas of rebirth and hope. As a symbol of medicine, the rod of Aesculapius refers to Dr. Bernier’s profession. The maple leaf, fleur-de-lis and rose coronet embodies his affection for Canada, Quebec and England.
Motto
This Latin phrase means “Prepare for the worst, hope for the best.”