The Viceregal Lion
  1. The Governor General of Canada
Heraldry Today

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James Douglas Gonyou

Brampton, Ontario
Grant of Arms, Flag and Badge, with differences to Jonathan Douglas Gonyou, Kathleen Dawn Spencer, Emily Joy Gonyou, Jesse Douglas Gonyou, Rebekah Jeanette Gonyou, Ethan Michael Spencer and Justin Daniel Spencer
September 15, 2010
Vol. V, p. 544

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


Blazon

Arms

Or on a cross nowy Azure three annuli interlaced Or, in the dexter canton a silo Azure;

Crest

A polar bear ensigned by a polar bear cub both statant proper;

Motto

WALK HUMBLY BEFORE YOUR GOD;

Flag

Azure to the dexter three annuli interlaced Or, to the sinister a polar bear ensigned by a polar bear cub both statant proper;

Badge

On a triangle Azure a polar bear ensigned by a polar bear cub both statant proper;

Differenced Arms for Jonathan Douglas Gonyou, son of James Douglas Gonyou

The Arms of James Douglas Gonyou debruised by a three-point label Argent; this individual will inherit the Arms of the Recipient following his death;

Differenced Arms for Kathleen Dawn Spencer, daughter of James Douglas Gonyou

The Arms of James Douglas Gonyou within a bordure Or;

Differenced Arms for Emily Joy Gonyou, daughter of James Douglas Gonyou

The Arms of James Douglas Gonyou within a bordure Argent;

Differenced Arms for Jesse Douglas Gonyou, grandson of James Douglas Gonyou

The Arms of James Douglas Gonyou debruised by a five-point label Argent;

Differenced Arms for Rebekah Jeanette Gonyou, granddaughter of James Douglas Gonyou

The Arms of James Douglas Gonyou debruised by an orle of rope Argent;

Differenced Arms for Ethan Michael Spencer, grandson of James Douglas Gonyou

The Arms of James Douglas Gonyou debruised by a three-point label Argent;

Differenced Arms for Justin Daniel Spencer, grandson of James Douglas Gonyou

The Arms of James Douglas Gonyou within a bordure compony-counter-compony Or and Azure;


Symbolism

Arms

The cross indicates the centrality of the Christian faith in the lives of the Gonyou family. The rings are a Trinitarian symbol. The silo makes reference to the family’s agricultural heritage.

Crest

The polar bears make a reference to Mr. Gonyou’s Canadian heritage. Their position alludes to a game he played with his children.

Motto

WALK HUMBLY BEFORE YOUR GOD is taken from Micah 6:8, the full passage reading: “And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God”.

Flag

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

Badge

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

Differenced Arms for Jonathan Douglas Gonyou, son of James Douglas Gonyou

The arms of Mr. Gonyou’s children and grandchildren contain either temporary (the label), or permanent (the bordure) differencing marks.

Differenced Arms for Kathleen Dawn Spencer, daughter of James Douglas Gonyou

The arms of Mr. Gonyou’s children and grandchildren contain either temporary (the label), or permanent (the bordure) differencing marks.

Differenced Arms for Emily Joy Gonyou, daughter of James Douglas Gonyou

The arms of Mr. Gonyou’s children and grandchildren contain either temporary (the label), or permanent (the bordure) differencing marks.

Differenced Arms for Jesse Douglas Gonyou, grandson of James Douglas Gonyou

The arms of Mr. Gonyou’s children and grandchildren contain either temporary (the label), or permanent (the bordure) differencing marks.

Differenced Arms for Rebekah Jeanette Gonyou, granddaughter of James Douglas Gonyou

The rope in Rebekah’s arms refers to her name, which is derived from the Hebrew word for “to bind”.

Differenced Arms for Ethan Michael Spencer, grandson of James Douglas Gonyou

The arms of Mr. Gonyou’s children and grandchildren contain either temporary (the label), or permanent (the bordure) differencing marks.

Differenced Arms for Justin Daniel Spencer, grandson of James Douglas Gonyou

The arms of Mr. Gonyou’s children and grandchildren contain either temporary (the label), or permanent (the bordure) differencing marks.


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
Eva Pilar-Cass

Calligrapher
Shirley Mangione


Recipient Information

Individual

View all Letters Patent for James Douglas Gonyou