- The Governor General of Canada
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.
Town of Creston
Creston, British Columbia
Grant of Arms, Supporters, Flags and Badge
July 15, 2008
Vol. V, p. 314
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Per fess Azure and Argent issuant from a base barry wavy Azure and Argent two piles reversed counterchanged;
Crest
A demi-mountain caribou Azure attired and unguled Or its dexter hoof resting on a barrel Or;
Supporters
Two trumpeter swans Argent beaked and membered Sable their wings elevated and addorsed Or, standing on a mount of wheat and conifer branches fructed proper;
Motto
VALLEY OF THE SWANS;
Flag
Quarterly Azure and Or on a cross quarterly Argent and Azure a hurt charged with a swan naiant Argent beaked Sable;
Flag
Azure a swan naiant Argent beaked Sable within a circlet of apple blossoms proper;
Badge
Four feathers in saltire Argent tipped Sable surmounted by an apple blossom proper;
Symbolism
Arms
The blue and white wavy bars in the base refer to the Kootenay River and Lake. The triangular shapes symbolize the snow-capped peaks of the Purcell and Selkirk Ranges.
Crest
The mountain caribou refers to the rare small herd that exists in the mountains nearby. The barrel celebrates the central place of Columbia Brewing in the economy of Creston.
Supporters
The swans are a reference to the birds that gave their name to the valley. The conifer branches and the wheat symbolize the significance of forestry and farming to the community.
Motto
This is a tribute to the original name of the valley, “Valley of the Swan”, before Creston was incorporated.
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
The feathers symbolize the Kutenai First Nation and their belief in the four elements: earth, air, fire and water. They also symbolize the four seasons and the four points of the compass. The apple blossom refers to the historic tree fruit industry of the valley and the community’s annual Blossom Festival.
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on November 22, 2008, in Volume 142, page 2984 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of Graham Anderson, Cowichan Herald Extraordinary, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
Painter
Debra MacGarvie
Calligrapher
Shirley Mangione
Recipient Information
Civil Institution
Regional, Municipal etc Government