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.

Karl Heinrich Kopke

Dorval, Quebec
Registration of Arms
August 15, 2007
Vol. V, p. 168

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


Blazon

Arms

Sable on a mount Or two leg bones in saltire surmounted by a skull Argent issuant therefrom three heads of rye Or flanked on each side by a Hagal rune Argent;

Crest

Within a vol quarterly 1st and 4th Sable, 2nd Or and 3rd Argent charged on each wing with a Hagal rune conterchanged, three heads of rye Or;

Motto

RESURGAM;


Symbolism

Arms

The rye rising from the skull and crossbones portrays the idea of new life coming from death. The Hagal rune connects these arms to a similar design in long use by the family.

Crest

The pair of wings is often found in German heraldry, and here the colour division is used to distinguish it from other wing designs. The Hagal rune connects this crest to a similar design in long use by the family.

Motto

The motto, meaning “I shall rise again”, had been found on many old engravings and carvings for the family in Germany. It alludes to the many members who were Lutheran pastors and theological scholars. It also is connected to resurgence in its use because the motto has not been used since 1941 in Germany.


Background

Canada Gazette Information

The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on March 8, 2008, in Volume 142, page 550 of the Canada Gazette.


Artist Information

Creator(s)
Not applicable

Painter
* Not applicable / Sans objet

Calligrapher
* Not applicable / Sans objet


Recipient Information

Individual

View all Letters Patent for Karl Heinrich Kopke

The recipient’s emblems were originally recorded for his late father Richard Kopke in the records of the Deutsche Wappenrolle, Berlin, Germany, 5 June 1941. One or more entries related to this Recipient's emblems appear elsewhere in the Register: Volume V, p. 291.