- 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.
Mount Royal University
Calgary, Alberta
Grant of Arms and Supporters
April 15, 2011
Vol. VI, p. 44
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Argent three piles reversed throughout, on a chief Azure a mace Or embellished Argent;
Crest
A demi-bighorn sheep Or muzzled Argent accorné and unguled Azure its dexter hoof resting on a closed book proper bound Azure charged with a dove descending Argent;
Supporters
Two cougars Or each supporting on the shoulder a mace Azure embellished Argent and standing on a rocky mount Argent;
Motto
QUAM BENE NON QUANTUM;
Symbolism
Arms
The design is essentially that of the arms created in 1912 for the newly-created Mount Royal College by Vincent Massey, likely in collaboration with the artist Alexander Scott Carter. The colours of the original design have been replaced by the university’s colours of blue and white. The triangular shapes allude to the “Mount” of the university’s name, and the mace is a symbol of royal authority alluding to the “Royal” in the name.
Crest
The bighorn sheep is the provincial animal of Alberta. The book indicates that the university is a place of learning, and the dove is an allusion to its origins as a Methodist and then United Church college. The descending dove, symbolic of the Holy Spirit, appears on the emblem of the United Church of Canada as a mark of its Methodist component.
Supporters
Cougars refer to the name of the Mount Royal University sports teams. The rocky mountain base and the maces allude to the name Mount Royal.
Motto
Meaning “How well, not how much”, this Latin phrase has been the university’s motto since its foundation.
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on November 12, 2011, in Volume 145, page 3516 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of Vincent Massey (arms) and Bruce Patterson, Deputy Chief Herald of Canada (crest, supporters and colours), assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
Painter
Linda Nicholson
Calligrapher
Shirley Mangione
Recipient Information
Civil Institution
University