- The Governor General of Canada
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Richard Alan White
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Grant of Arms, with differences to Tara Elizabeth Koster, Gregory Alan White, Megan Alexandra Wakeford, Scott Richard White, Andrew Duncan Sills, Catherine Alanna White, and Joseph Henry White
July 20, 2007
Vol. V, p. 162
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Blazon
Arms
Argent a tau-staff Gules entwined by a snake Or, on a chief enarched Azure an infinity sign between two trillium flowers Argent seeded Or;
Crest
Issuant from a coronet Or of maple leaves Gules and trillium flowers Argent seeded Or, a demi-griffin Argent beaked and membered Or holding a Catherine wheel Azure its rim and hub Argent;
Motto
TO STRIVE • TO SEEK • TO FIND;
Symbolism
Arms
The field of the shield refers to Dr. White’s name. The snake and rod, known as a rod of Moses and a variation on the classical rod of Aesculapius, refers to the medical profession and, through the cruciform termination, to Dr. White’s Christian faith. The trillium flowers indicate his province of residence, Ontario, and the fact that he is one of three brothers. It also represents the Holy Trinity. The infinity sign alludes to Dr. White’s practice of wearing bow ties.
Crest
A griffin appeared on the headstone of one of Dr. White’s ancestors in Scotland, and it has been a favourite symbol for Dr. White and his father, signifying the idea of watchfulness. The eight spokes of the Catherine wheel refer to the number of Dr. White’s children. The maple leaves and trillium flowers indicate his Canadian and Ontario roots.
Motto
This is taken from the last line of Lord Tennyson’s poem “Ulysses”.