- The Governor General of Canada
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Joshua Robert Spencer Traptow
Calgary, Alberta
Grant of Arms, Flag and Badge
September 15, 2022
Vol. VIII, p. 117
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Blazon
Arms
Per chevron Azure and Or a pile throughout surmounting a pile rebated in chief surmounting a like pile, all truncated in base and per chevron Or and Azure;
Crest
A cowboy hat Argent in front of a roundel barry wavy Or and Azure;
Motto
LEAD BY LISTENING;
Symbolism
Arms
Gold and blue are the colours of Alberta, marking Mr. Traptow’s pride in his province, which has been the home of his family for four generations. Gold—the colour of wheat fields—honours his forefathers who were farmers. It also echoes the colour of sandstone, a material used for many buildings in Calgary, his hometown. The chevron alludes to a mountain and thus to Mr. Traptow’s love of the Rockies. The fan-like motif resembling a keystone is typical of Art Deco, a style that Mr. Traptow particularly admires. It symbolizes Mr. Traptow’s belief that, just as a keystone is crucial to the stability of a building, so is volunteerism and social engagement to that of a community. The many references to architecture highlight Mr. Traptow’s passion for and his active involvement in the protection of Calgary’s built heritage.
Crest
The white cowboy hat is the emblem of Calgary. It alludes to Mr. Traptow’s many years of volunteering for the Calgary Stampede. The heraldic fountain—the disc with wavy stripes—represents Calgary’s rivers. The combination of the cowboy hat and the fountain alludes to a gathering of people by a water source; it symbolizes Mr. Traptow’s love of the western way of life, known for its tradition of community gatherings and of working together.
Motto
This phrase states Mr. Traptow’s determination to listen before acting, which flows from his favourite saying, “We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.”