The Viceregal Lion
  1. The Governor General of Canada
Heraldry Today

The contents of this Register are intended for research purposes only. The heraldic emblems found in the Register may not be reproduced in any form or in any media without the written consent of the Canadian Heraldic Authority and/or the recipient.

Canada

Ottawa, Ontario
Registration of the National Flag of Canada
March 15, 2005
Vol. IV, p. 460

National Flag of Canada

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Blazon

Flag

Gules on a Canadian pale Argent a maple leaf Gules;


Symbolism

Flag

The maple leaf has been used as a Canadian symbol since at least the early 19th century. A sprig of three maple leaves appears in the Royal Arms of Canada proclaimed in 1921, originally shown as green on a white background, but altered in 1957 to red on white. This likely inspired the choice of colours for the flag.