- The Governor General of Canada
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John Boddy
Toronto, Ontario
Grant of Arms, Flag and Badge, with differences to Paul Boddy, James Boddy and Elizabeth Jane Boddy
May 7, 2009
Vol. V, p. 444
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Per chevron embowed Gules and Azure a chevronel embowed between three roses Argent seeded Or and in honour point a dagger its blade in chief Argent;
Crest
A lion sejant guardant Azure ducally crowned Or winged with dragon wings Gules charged with two mullets, one of five points irradiated, the other of seven points Argent, holding in the dexter paw a sword Gules;
Motto
IN VESTIGIIS GIGANTIUM;
Flag
A standard, the hoist Argent a cross Gules, the fly Argent charged with the Crest and two representations of the Badge, all separated by two bends Argent fimbriated Gules inscribed with the Motto in letters Azure;
Badge
On a rose Argent surmounting two lightning flashes in saltire and a sword palewise Gules, a globe Azure its lines of latitude and longitude Argent;
Differenced Arms for Paul Boddy, son of John Boddy
The Arms of John Boddy debruised of a three-point label Or; this individual will inherit the Arms of the Recipient following his or her death;
Differenced Arms for James Boddy, son of John Boddy
The Arms of John Boddy within a bordure compony-counter-compony Argent and Gules;
Differenced Arms for Elizabeth Jane Boddy, daughter of John Boddy
The Arms of John Boddy within a bordure compony-counter-compony Argent and Azure;
Symbolism
Arms
The blue, white and red are taken from the Union Jack. The chevron indicates pathways, the vapour trail of an airplane or the wake of a ship, and thus refers to Mr. Boddy’s love of world travel. The dagger alludes to the arms of the City of London and its simplified shape represents a jet plane. The three white roses are a symbol of York, the county in England from which Mr. Boddy hails, and they indicate his children.
Crest
The lion refers to Mr. Boddy’s English origins and his love of English Premier League soccer. The wings allude to the dragon badge of Wales and refer to his past residence in Aberystwyth. The five-pointed star represents the north star and Canada’s northern location. The seven-pointed star from the Australian flag, also known as the Commonwealth star, stands for Mr. Boddy’s past residence in Sydney. The lion’s coronet is taken from the arms of Kingston-upon-Hull, where Mr. Boddy was born and received his early education. The red sword alludes to the cross of St. George and Mr. Boddy’s English heritage, and to the city of London where Mr. Boddy graduated and was married.
Motto
Meaning “In the footsteps of giants”.
Flag
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Badge
This combines the white rose of York with a globe as a further allusion to world travel. The lightning flashes represent computer-based communications technology and therefore Mr. Boddy’s professional career, most notably with IBM and AT&T. The sword repeats the symbol from the crest.
Differenced Arms for Paul Boddy, son of John Boddy
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Differenced Arms for James Boddy, son of John Boddy
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Differenced Arms for Elizabeth Jane Boddy, daughter of John Boddy
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 December 12, 2009, in Volume 143, page 3681 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of Bruce Patterson, Saint-Laurent Herald, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
Painter
David Farrar
Calligrapher
Shirley Mangione
Recipient Information
Individual