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

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.

Mairi Christina Arthur

Bedford, Nova Scotia
Grant of Arms and Flag, with differences to James Andrew Arthur and to Graeme Bradford Arthur
January 15, 2013
Vol. VI, p. 205

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


Blazon

Arms

Azure on a fess between three bears’ heads couped Argent muzzled, three acorns Gules;

Crest

Issuant from a coronet of maple leaves and bay leaves Gules a demi-stag proper;

Motto

ROBUR ET ELEGANTIA;

Flag

A banner of the Arms;

Differenced Arms for James Andrew Arthur, son of Mairi Christina Arthur

The Arms of Mairi Christina Arthur debruised of a three-point label Or; This individual will inherit the Arms of the Recipient following her death;

Differenced Arms for Graeme Bradford Arthur, son of Mairi Christina Arthur

The Arms of Mairi Christina Arthur within a bordure Or;


Symbolism

Arms

The blue field with the three heads of bears are based on those of the chief of Clan Forbes of Scotland, Ms. Arthur’s birthplace, and Forbes being her birth name. The acorns signify strength and allude to oak trees surrounding her house. The red and white colours represent Canada, her country of residence.

Crest

The stag’s head based on the crest of the Chief of the Clan Forbes evokes Ms. Arthur’s maiden name. The bay leaves of the coronet are taken from the crest of Clan MacArthur and evoke her husband.

Motto

This Latin motto means “Strength and grace” and answers the Forbes’s motto of “Grace me guide”.

Flag

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

Differenced Arms for James Andrew Arthur, son of Mairi Christina Arthur

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

Differenced Arms for Graeme Bradford Arthur, son of Mairi Christina Arthur

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 30, 2013, in Volume 147, page 2706 of the Canada Gazette.


Artist Information

Creator(s)
Original concept of Darrel Kennedy, Assiniboine Herald, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.

Painter
Audrey Joan Merrington

Calligrapher
Shirley Mangione


Recipient Information

Individual