- The Governor General of Canada
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Martin Joseph Gilles Marceau
Saint-Sauveur, Quebec
Grant of Arms, Flags and Badge
November 15, 2023
Vol. VIII, p. 225
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Blazon
Arms
Gules an alphyn rampant Or surmounting a bar wavy abased Argent;
Crest
An eagle Or stooping on a serpent Gules;
Motto
AD AUGUSTA PER SACRIFICIA;
Symbolism
Arms
Red is the colour associated with the planet Mars. Here, it represents the Roman god Mars, from which the names Martin and Marceau derive, and thus recalls Mr. Marceau’s fighting spirit and his service in the Canadian Armed Forces. Gold evokes a memory that has stayed with him: the golden bar worn by a general whose words inspired his motto. The alphyn, the name used for a medieval chess piece representing a judge (now replaced by the bishop), embodies justice and thus Mr. Marceau’s profession as a lawyer. In heraldry, the alphyn is a half-wolf, half-lion creature. Its lupine features symbolize loyalty and leadership, and reinforce its association with Mars, the wolf being the emblem of this god. Its leonine features underscore the force Mr. Marceau shows in his convictions and actions. The knot in the tail represents his strong attachment to his family, while the animal’s defensive stance reflects his desire to protect its members. The wavy band depicts a river and the boundary between the world of the living and that of the dead, commemorating the two occasions on which he came close to death and expressing his desire to be with the dying in their final moments.
Crest
The eagle represents the Air Cadets and the insignia of the unit to which Mr. Marceau belonged. With its piercing gaze, this raptor also symbolizes vision, cunning and intelligence, qualities that Mr. Marceau considers more effective than strength. The snake, a symbol of rebirth, picks up the theme of transition between life and death. It is overpowered by the eagle, symbolizing the struggle between good and evil.
Motto
This Latin phrase means “To the heights through sacrifices.” It is inspired by the words a general once spoke to Mr. Marceau. It conveys his desire to make sacrifices, even of himself, for a just cause.