- 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.
Wesley David Black
Vancouver, British Columbia
Registration of Arms
January 20, 2011
Vol. VI, p. 28
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Sable a secretary bird wings elevated Or masked and charged on the breast with an ancient crown Gules garnished Or, within a double tressure wavy erablé counter-erablé Or;
Crest
Issuant from a circlet of Pacific dogwood flowers Argent seeded Or and Pacific dogwood leaves Vert, a beacon Sable enflamed proper;
Motto
LUX E TENEBRIS;
Symbolism
Arms
The field colour is an allusion to the Black family name. The secretary bird commemorates Mr. Black’s father’s long period of service as Provincial Secretary of British Columbia, as does the crown, which appears on the arms of the province. The double tressure, usually associated with Scottish heraldry, has been given maple leaves for the first time to create a Canadian characteristic. It refers to Mr. Black’s Scottish and Canadian heritage, and the wavy aspect indicates his British Columbia roots, echoing the wavy stripes in the provincial arms.
Crest
The circlet of dogwood flowers and leaves, the provincial flower of British Columbia, honours Mr. Black’s father’s service to his province. The beacon symbolizes public leadership and relates to the Motto.
Motto
This Latin phrase means “Light from darkness”.
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on November 12, 2011, in Volume 145, page 3515 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of Charles Maier, Athabaska Herald, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
Painter
Donald Hallman
Calligrapher
John Whitehead
Recipient Information
Individual
View all Letters Patent for Wesley David Black
The recipient’s emblems were originally recorded in the name of his father, Wesley Drewett Black, in the Public Register of Arms, Flags and Badges of Canada, Volume I, page 11, 3 April 1989.