- 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.
Chi Tung Chan
Richmond, British Columbia
Grant of Arms, Flag and Badge, with differences to Winifred Wai Min Chan and Jennifer Wai Yin Chan
February 15, 2012
Vol. VI, p. 111
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Azure a chief wavy Or, overall three sea turtles tergiant their heads to the base counterchanged;
Crest
Issuant from a circlet of bauhinia flowers Or, a demi-bear Azure holding in the dexter paw a scroll and resting its sinister paw on an anchor Or fouled of a laurel branch Azure;
Motto
積善之家;
Motto
HONOUR IN SERVICE;
Flag
A banner of the Arms;
Badge
A sea turtle tergiant its head to the base Azure charged with a maple leaf Or;
Differenced Arms for Winifred Wai Min Chan, daughter of Chi Tung Chan
The Arms of Chi Tung Chan debruised by a three-point label Argent; this individual will inherit the Arms of the Recipient following his death;
Differenced Arms for Jennifer Wai Yin Chan, daughter of Chi Tung Chan
The Arms of Chi Tung Chan within a bordure counterchanged;
Symbolism
Arms
The design alludes to a family tradition concerning Mr. Chan’s grandfather, who was known in his village in southern China for buying sea-creatures from fishermen in whose nets they were caught and then releasing them. The turtles, shown here as if entering the water from the shore, thus represent the idea of care and generosity. They also refer to travel by sea and, by extension, to exploration and immigration. The water imagery is also an allusion to Mrs. Chan’s family name, Ho, meaning “river”.
Crest
The bear is a creature found in British Columbia, where Mr. Chan’s family lives. The bauhinia flower is the emblem of Hong Kong, Mr. Chan’s birthplace. The scroll refers to various occupations held by members of Mr. Chan’s family: those of schoolteacher, lawyer, scholar and legislator, the latter a reference to Mr. Chan’s service as a Vancouver city councillor. The anchor entwined with laurel refers to Mr. Chan’s appointment as an Honorary Naval Captain in the Canadian Forces.
Motto
The Chinese phrase meaning “A household that accumulates good deeds” emphasizes the importance of service to the community for Mr. Chan.
Motto
The English phrase emphasizes the importance of service to the community for Mr. Chan.
Flag
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Badge
The turtle repeats the symbolism from the arms, with the maple leaf referring to the family’s Canadian identity.
Differenced Arms for Winifred Wai Min Chan, daughter of Chi Tung Chan
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Differenced Arms for Jennifer Wai Yin Chan, daughter of Chi Tung Chan
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on November 3, 2012, in Volume 146, page 3052 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of Bruce Patterson, Deputy Chief Herald of Canada, and Robert D. Watt, Rideau Herald Emeritus, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
Painter
Debra MacGarvie
Calligrapher
Doris Wionzek
Recipient Information
Individual