- The Governor General of Canada
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Claire Boudreau
Ottawa, Ontario
Grant of Arms and Badge
April 15, 2004
Vol. IV, p. 370
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Blazon
Arms
Azure an orle Argent;
Crest
A panther rampant Azure incensed proper;
Motto
ARDENTE;
Symbolism
Arms
The blue colour represents the French origins of Claire Boudreau. The narrow line (orle) appears as a second shield within the main shield and highlights both the importance of heraldry in her life and her doctoral research in this field. The orle and the overall simplicity of the design express both the absolute notion of the Cartesian “whole”, contained but continuous, and the idea that infinity can be contained within the span of one’s life or within any other given framework.
Crest
The panther in the crest is a monster spewing fire from its mouth, nostrils and ears. It is the most appropriate symbol to express human passion in any domain. The heraldic panther is endowed with the body of a lion, a horse’s head with horns, a griffin’s forelegs and a lion’s hind legs. This diversified nature makes it a symbol of tolerance and of the spirit of adventure by which alone the frontiers of the unknown can be pushed back.
Motto
ARDENTE (“fervent”), along with the panther in the crest is a reference to the totemic name “Panthère ardente” (“Fiery panther”) given to Claire Boudreau within the Scout movement in 1978. The motto therefore contains a second allusion to passion, a sort of internal flame that drives one to outstanding achievements.