- The Governor General of Canada
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Virginia Ghislaine Shyluk
Victoria, British Columbia
Grant of Arms
February 15, 2016
Vol. VI, p. 588
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Blazon
Arms
Vert an anchor plate bendwise between two roses, on a chief dancetty Or an antique lamp Vert;
Crest
A castle Vert masoned and with its doors open Argent thereon climbing roses Or;
Motto
CARE • COMPASSION • COMMUNITY;
Symbolism
Arms
Green and yellow represent Saskatchewan, Ms. Shyluk’s place of birth and the province where she studied. The division line with deep indentations alludes to the mountains between British Columbia and Alberta where Ms. Shyluk resided and worked. The lamp, a traditional symbol of the nursing profession, alludes to Ms. Shyluk’s long service as a registered nurse in all four western Canadian provinces as well as a long-time volunteer with St. John Ambulance. The anchor plate, a type of wall hook, is a pun on Hack, Ms. Shyluk’s maiden name, related to the word haken, meaning “hook” in German. An important structural reinforcement in construction, the anchor plate again alludes to her work as a nurse helping patients remain healthy. The roses represent her two children and their families.
Crest
The castle alludes to the city of Czernowitz in the Austrian Empire (today Chernivsti in Ukraine), from where Ms. Shyluk’s ancestors immigrated to Canada and whose arms bear a castle gate. The open doors characterize the openness and accessibility of nurses, and the climbing roses suggest flowering, and thus health.
Motto
These words correspond to three elements of importance to Ms. Shyluk, namely family, profession and volunteer community involvement.