- The Governor General of Canada
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Wolfgang Paul Loofs
Victoria, British Columbia
Grant of Arms, with differences to Birgit Irene Loofs and Karen Helen Loofs
April 15, 2003
Vol. IV, p. 274
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Blazon
Arms
Per fess Azure and Gules, in chief a fish Argent the head ensigned by a Saxon coronet, in base three six-pointed stars Or, all within a bordure counterchanged;
Crest
Issuant from a circlet of dogwood flowers and trillium flowers Argent a beaver sejant Or wearing a Saxon coronet and holding between its paws a Maltese cross Azure;
Motto
NE CEDE MALIS;
Symbolism
Arms
The shield is based on the historic Dutch arms of the family which date back at least to the 17th century. According to family tradition, the family's Dutch forebears were merchants in the salt and fish trade on the Maas and Rhine rivers, hence the blue for water and the stars for salt. Crowned fish on blue appear in the arms of the Dutch City of Scheveningen, while the salt-producing German province of Thuringia, and the centre of the salt trade, Halle, both feature six-pointed stars. The arms of Thuringia show white stars on a red field, while Halle's red stars are shown on a white field. The Saxon coronet refers to Dr. Loofs' birthplace in Saxony. The shield is made distinctive to his branch of the family through the addition of the border.
Crest
The dogwoods and trilliums represent where the family resides, in British Columbia and Ontario. The beaver symbolizes Dr. Loofs' service with the Canadian Military Engineers. Repeating the Saxon coronet makes the beaver distinctive to Dr. Loofs, while his service in the Venerable Order of St. John and in the Order of St. Lazarus is represented through the Maltese cross.
Motto
A Latin phrase meaning "Yield not to misfortune".