- The Governor General of Canada
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Benjamin Timothy Lee
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Grant of Arms, Flags and Badge
April 3, 2001
Vol. IV, p. 109
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Blazon
Arms
Or a qilin proper, on a chief Azure a plate between two maple leaves Or;
Crest
Issuant from a wreath of oak leaves Vert fructed Or, an arm embowed in armour Argent, the hand proper grasping a thunderbolt Argent;
Motto
FUGIT HORA;
Symbolism
Arms
The Chinese unicorn, or qilin, was the insignia of rank for Mr. Lee’s grandfather, a general in the green standard army of the Ching dynasty. This was depicted on a piece of fine embroidery known as a mandarin square, which appeared on the back and front of uniforms worn by imperial officials. The background on which it was placed was gold. The maple leaves in the chief are a reminder of Mr. Lee’s upbringing in and service to Canada, their number honouring his two daughters. The white disc resembles a pearl and thus refers to his home of Hong Kong, the “Pearl of the Orient”.
Crest
The oak leaves and acorns allude to the oak tree crest of the University of Toronto and thus pay tribute to Mr. Lee’s ongoing service to the University both as a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council for the Engineering Faculty and as Founding Director of the University of Toronto (Hong Kong) Education Foundation. The arm in armour makes a reference to Mr. Lee’s military service in the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps, and the lightning bolt represents his work in telecommunication engineering. The colours of the mantling are those of the Household Cavalry, of which the Toronto regiment in which Mr. Lee served, the Governor General’s Horse Guards, is a member.
Motto
This Latin Motto means “The hour flies” and indicates the importance of making the most of life, as well as the fast pace of the internet industry in which Mr. Lee works. The phrase is taken from the Roman poet Persius.