- 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.
John Francis Archibald Pyke
London, Ontario
Grant of Arms and Badge, with differences to Jeanita Marie Badner and Wendy Lyn Pyke
May 20, 2010
Vol. V, p. 515
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Argent on a fess cotised Vert between in chief two acorns slipped and leaved and in base a cubit arm in armour proper fesswise holding a cross patonce fitché Gules, a northern pike Argent;
Crest
A Chinese demi-dragon Gules its dexter claw resting on a plate;
Motto
SEASAIDH MI GU CRUAIDH CHA BHI AN T-EAGAL ORM;
Differenced Arms for Jeanita Marie Badner, step-daughter of John Francis Archibald Pyke
The Arms of John Francis Pyke debruised of a three-point label Or; this individual will inherit the Arms of the Recipient following his or her death;
Differenced Arms for Wendy Lyn Pyke, step-daughter of John Francis Archibald Pyke
The Arms of John Francis Pyke within a bordure Or;
Badge
On a plate surmounting a claymore palewise and two pikes in saltire Argent a Chinese dragon’s head erased Gules;
Symbolism
Arms
The green of the fess is taken from the tartan of Macdonald of Sleat, denoting Mr. Pyke’s membership in the Clan Donald. It also resembles the belt worn by practitioners of Asian martial arts, of which Mr. Pyke is an accomplished instructor. The pike is a common charge on Pyke arms in Great Britain and it is a pun on Mr. Pyke’s surname. The northern pike is native to the Thames River that flows through the city of London, Ontario, the hometown of Mr. Pyke. A fish on a fess also alludes to the former arms of the province of Nova Scotia (1868-1929), where Mr. Pyke was born, and to his many fishing ancestors. The acorns refer to the badge of Mr. Pyke’s reserve unit, the 22 (London) Service Battalion, which features two oak trees, and to the Oakridge Acres neighbourhood in London where he resides. Their number represents his two daughters. A hand clutching a red cross is a common charge on Macdonald arms. The cross patonce recalls a maple leaf, representing Mr. Pyke’s particular service to his clan in Canada.
Crest
In the Chinese martial arts community, Mr. Pyke is known as Li Tai Leung, the “deep dragon”. The white disc represents the pearl often depicted as an attribute of the Chinese dragon. Called a besant in French, the disc also represents a silver coin and thus Mr. Pyke’s employment as an automated banking machine technician, in which capacity he is entrusted with the protection of others’ money.
Motto
Meaning “I will stand fast; I will not be afraid,” the motto is a free translation of a line from the song “Sergeant MacKenzie” by Joseph Kilna MacKenzie.
Differenced Arms for Jeanita Marie Badner, step-daughter of John Francis Archibald Pyke
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Differenced Arms for Wendy Lyn Pyke, step-daughter of John Francis Archibald Pyke
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Badge
The Chinese dragon and the white disc refer to the crest. The claymore represents Mr. Pyke’s Scottish heritage and the pikes are another pun on his surname.
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on March 26, 2011, in Volume 145, page 1074 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of Forrest Pass, Saguenay Herald, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
Painter
Debra MacGarvie
Calligrapher
Shirley Mangione
Recipient Information
Individual