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.

Village of Lions Bay

Lions Bay, British Columbia
Grant of Arms, Supporters and Flag
December 10, 2007
Vol. V, p. 190

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


Blazon

Arms

Azure a pile reversed barry wavy Or and Azure, in chief two lions couchant respectant Argent;

Crest

A demi-bear Or holding in its dexter paw a spray of wild columbine proper;

Supporters

Two cougars Or each gorged with a collar of wild columbine flowers and standing on a rocky mount proper;

Motto

SPLENDOUR IN SERENITY;

Flag

A banner of the Arms;


Symbolism

Arms

The blue background and the yellow waves refer to the setting sun on the waters of Howe Sound. The two white lions represent the famous snow-capped peaks, known as “The Lions”, located east of Lions Bay and after which the village is named.

Crest

The bear symbolizes the natural heritage of the area. The wild columbine is the village’s official flower.

Supporters

The cougars are local big cats that also allude both to the lions in the village’s name and to the animal commonly associated with St. Mark, whose Vancouver church established a summer camp that was one of the earliest settlements at Lions Bay. The columbine collars repeat the symbolism of the crest. The rocky base represents the nearby mountains.

Motto

This phrase indicates the character of the village’s setting and alludes to the motto of British Columbia, Splendor sine occasu (Splendour without diminishment).

Flag

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


Background

Canada Gazette Information

The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on November 22, 2008, in Volume 142, page 2982 of the Canada Gazette.


Artist Information

Creator(s)
Original concept of Robert D. Watt, Chief Herald of Canada, and Bruce Patterson, Saguenay Herald, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.

Painter
D. Robert Tunstall

Calligrapher
Shirley Mangione


Recipient Information

Civil Institution
Regional, Municipal etc Government