The Viceregal Lion
  1. The Governor General of Canada
Heraldry Today

The contents of this Register are intended for research purposes only. The heraldic emblems found in the Register may not be reproduced in any form or in any media without the written consent of the Canadian Heraldic Authority and/or the recipient.

Daniel Marcel Bellemare

Ottawa, Ontario
Grant of Arms, Flags and Badge
September 15, 2005
Vol. IV, p. 537

Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.


Blazon

Arms

Or three barrulets wavy Azure, on chief Azure three pears Or;

Crest

A pear tree Or leaved Azure fructed Or;

Motto

VITAM IMPENDERE VERO;

Flag

A standard, the Arms in hoist, the fly Or charged with the Badge betwen two representations of the Crest, all separated by two bends Azure inscribed with the Motto in letters Or;

Flag

A banner of the Arms;

Badge

On a hurt a pear enclosed by an orle wavy Or;


Symbolism

Arms

Mr. Bellemare’s coat of arms pays tribute to both sides of his family, maternal and paternal. The three wavy bands represent Yamachiche, near Trois Rivières, the ancestral home of his father’s family. The three pears refer to his mother’s family name, Poirier, which is French for “pear tree.”

Crest

The pear tree alludes to family name of Mr. Bellemare’s mother, Poirier.

Motto

This Latin phrase means "To devote one’s life to the truth".

Flag

The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.

Flag

The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.

Badge

In addition to referring to the maternal name Poirier, the round blue badge adorned with a wavy gold line calls to mind the image of a beautiful pond, or “belle mare” in French, thus referring to the Bellemare family name.


Background

Canada Gazette Information

The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on July 8, 2006, in Volume 140, page 2040 of the Canada Gazette.


Artist Information

Creator(s)
Original concept of Claire Boudreau, Saint-Laurent Herald, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.

Painter
Gordon Macpherson

Calligrapher
Doris Wionzek


Recipient Information

Individual