- 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.
Kurt Allen Ritter
Duncan, British Columbia
Grant of Arms, Flag and Badge, with differences to Cadan Tong Ritter
November 20, 2014
Vol. VI, p. 467
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Sable a phoenix, on a chief potenty Or a lion’s face between two spurs Sable;
Crest
An owl close holding in the dexter claw two opium poppies proper;
Motto
THE FUTURE IS ESTABLISHED TODAY;
Flag
A banner of the Arms;
Badge
A square potenty Sable charged with an owl’s head crowned with an antique coronet Or;
Differenced Arms for Cadan Tong Ritter, son of Kurt Allen Ritter
The Arms of Kurt Allen Ritter debruised of a three-point label Argent during his father’s lifetime. This individual will inherit the Arms of the Recipient following his death;
Symbolism
Arms
Black and yellow are the colours of the Duchy of Württemberg, in present-day Germany, whence Dr. Ritter’s family came. The phoenix refers to the Chinese heritage of Dr. Ritter’s wife. The lion’s face, reminiscent of the lions found on the arms of Württemberg, represents, for Dr. Ritter, vigilance, which is at the core of his profession as a doctor. The spurs, objects traditionally bestowed during the ceremony of creating a knight (Ritter in German), allude to the surname. The T-shaped line makes reference to crutches, an aid to healing, and to the idea of strength, thus symbolizing Dr. Ritter’s medical career and in particular his work in the field of pain management for cancer patients.
Crest
The owl is found in the arms of Hughes Hall, Cambridge University, which Dr. Ritter attended. The opium poppies, an early form of anesthesia, refer to his profession as an anesthesiologist.
Motto
This motto is based on a quote by Harvey Spencer Lewis: “I am tomorrow, or some future day, what I establish today. I am today what I established yesterday or some previous day”.
Flag
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Badge
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Differenced Arms for Cadan Tong Ritter, son of Kurt Allen Ritter
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 October 3, 2015, in Volume 149, page 2336 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of Kurt Ritter and Bruce Patterson, Deputy Chief Herald of Canada, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
Painter
Debra MacGarvie
Calligrapher
Doris Wionzek
Recipient Information
Individual