- 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.
The Sir John A. Macdonald Historical Society
Vancouver, British Columbia
Grant of Arms, Supporters, Flag and Badges
August 20, 2010
Vol. V, p. 538
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Quarterly, 1st Argent a lion rampant Gules, 2nd Or a dexter hand couped fesswise proper holding a cross-crosslet fitché Azure, 3rd Or a lymphad sails furled and oars in action Sable flagged Gules, 4th barry wavy Argent and Azure a salmon naiant proper, overall on a fess bretessed Vert a maple leaf Or between two dogwood flowers Argent seeded Or;
Crest
A dexter hand in armour fesswise proper holding a cross-crosslet fitché Gules issuant from a circlet of dogwood flowers Argent seeded Or;
Supporters
Two mermaids proper issuant from barry wavy Azure and Or;
Motto
ADHERE TO THE UNION;
Flag
A banner of the Arms;
Badge
On a dogwood flower Argent seeded Or a dexter hand in armour fesswise proper holding a cross-crosslet fitché Gules;
Badge
A roundel tierced in fess Azure, Argent and Gules;
Symbolism
Arms
The design is based on the arms granted by the Lord Lyon King of Arms in 1970 in memory of Sir John A. Macdonald, composed of the arms of the chief of Clan Macdonald of Sleat with the addition of a green fess. Here, the fess features two dogwood flowers, the floral emblem of British Columbia, and a maple leaf for Canada. The shape of the fess resembles railway tracks and ties, thus representing Macdonald’s great legacy, the transcontinental railway, which was especially important for British Columbia.
Crest
The hand and cross crest of the chief of Macdonald of Sleat was used by Sir John A. Macdonald. The dogwood flowers make the crest unique to the Society.
Supporters
Mermaids symbolize eloquence and thus the Society’s mandate in hosting an annual dinner featuring a speech by a prominent Canadian. The yellow and blue stylized water indicates the setting sun over the Pacific Ocean.
Motto
This phrase is taken from a speech delivered in 1861 by Sir John A. Macdonald and refers to Canadian unity: “Whatever you do, adhere to the union. We are a great country, and shall become one of the greatest in the universe if we preserve it”.
Flag
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Badge
The first badge uses symbols in the arms and crest.
Badge
The second badge is the rosette awarded by the Society for long service. Its colours are taken from the Royal Union Flag.
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on March 26, 2011, in Volume 145, page 1075 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
Civil Institution
Cultural Organization