- 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.
James Edward Toccacelli
Toronto, Ontario
Grant of Arms and Flag, with differences to Dominic James Toccacelli and Dante Edward Toccacelli
March 20, 2014
Vol. VI, p. 338
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Per chevron in chief Sable semé of mullets a crescent Argent, in base Argent a swallow ascendant Gules;
Crest
A semaphore tower Argent its signal arms Sable, charged with two dragon heads in saltire Gules;
Motto
REACH FOR THE STARS;
Flag
A banner of the Arms;
Differenced Arms for Dominic James Toccacelli, son of James Edward Toccacelli
The Arms of James Edward Toccacelli debruised of a three-point label Or during his father’s lifetime. This individual will inherit the Arms of the Recipient following his death;
Differenced Arms for Dante Edward Toccacelli, son of James Edward Toccacelli
The Arms of James Edward Toccacelli with a laurel wreath Gules in place of the swallow in the Arms;
Symbolism
Arms
The design refers to the name Toccacelli, which in Italian sounds like the phrase “Toccare il cielo”, meaning “Touch the sky”, and more figuratively, “Reach for the stars”. The upper part evokes the night sky, and the crescent moon also alludes to Mr. Toccacelli’s mother’s surname of Gallagher, as Irish Gallagher crests often feature a crescent. A crescent and stars also appears in the arms and flag of Singapore, where Mr. Toccacelli lived for several years and where his son Dominic was born. The swallow, a sign and messenger of spring, symbolizes Mr. Toccacelli’s career in corporate communications, a profession devoted to conveying messages. Its rising position conveys the idea of aspiration. Red, white and black are the colours of Carleton University, which Mr. Toccacelli attended.
Crest
The semaphore tower was a method of communicating messages over visible distances prior to the invention of the telegraph. It is therefore another metaphor for Mr. Toccacelli’s career in corporate communications. The crossed dragon heads are found in crests of people named Knighton, the surname of Mr. Toccacelli’s wife, Cheryl.
Motto
This phrase refers to the name Toccacelli, a homophone for the Italian phrase “toccare il cielo”, or “Touch the sky”.
Flag
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Differenced Arms for Dominic James Toccacelli, son of James Edward Toccacelli
The three-point label indicates that he is heir to the undifferenced arms.
Differenced Arms for Dante Edward Toccacelli, son of James Edward Toccacelli
The laurel wreath alludes to his first name, since Dante Alighieri, one of the greatest writers of the Italian language, is traditionally depicted wearing a laurel wreath.
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on March 14, 2015, in Volume 149, page 500 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of Bruce Patterson, Deputy Chief Herald of Canada, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
Painter
Eva Pilar-Cass
Calligrapher
Shirley Mangione
Recipient Information
Individual