- The Governor General of Canada
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David Joseph Ferris
Ottawa, Ontario
Grant of Arms, Flag and Badge
September 15, 2014
Vol. VI, p. 449
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Blazon
Arms
Per bend Vert and Azure, on a bend between two maple seeds Or, three horseshoes Azure;
Crest
Issuant from a circlet of garbs Or and fir cones Vert a barred owl displayed proper pendent from its beak by a cord Argent a Hawaiian fish hook Or;
Motto
TADA GAN IARRACHT;
Symbolism
Arms
The blue and green fields symbolize the Scottish and Irish heritage of Mr. Ferris’ mother and father. The maple seeds represent his deep love of nature and the outdoors; like Mr. Ferris, a commander of a maritime helicopter crew, they depend for their continued survival upon the principle of autorotation. The three horseshoes, pierced seven times for luck, are found in the arms of Irish Ferris families, and represent a talisman of good fortune.
Crest
Owls are Mr. Ferris’ favourite raptors, the barred owl in particular. The fir trees further allude to his love of the outdoors while the wheat sheaves are for him a symbol of providence. For Mr. Ferris, the Hawaiian fish hook is a symbol of strength, and by extension of prosperity and protection.
Motto
This Irish Gaelic phrase translates as “Nothing without effort”.