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.

James Alexander Isaacs

Thunder Bay, Ontario
Grant of Arms, Flag and Badge
September 20, 2018
Vol. VII, p. 118

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


Blazon

Arms

Purpure semy of Celtic crosses, on a chief wavy Argent a canoe Purpure;

Crest

A raven Purpure holding in its beak a protea and perched on an amethyst issuant from a circlet of trillium flowers proper;

Motto

IL N’Y A PAS D’ESSAI;

Flag

A standard of two points the Arms in hoist the fly Argent charged with the Crest between two representations of the Badge all separated by two bends Purpure inscribed with the Motto in letters Argent;

Badge

A Chihuahua rampant proper grasping a Celtic cross Purpure;


Symbolism

Arms

Purple and white are the corporate colours of the businesses of Mr. Isaacs’ parents. The crosses symbolize his Presbyterian faith. The canoe represents Long Lac, Ontario, the town of his youth where he served as town councillor for many years. The wavy line of the chief represents his interest in yachting.

Crest

The raven indicates that every house Mr. Isaacs has ever lived in has always had a family of ravens nesting in the trees on the property. The amethyst represents his birth place, Thunder Bay, Ontario, the location of amethyst mines. The protea flower represents the South African heritage of his birth parents. The trillium flowers represent Ontario.

Motto

This French phrase, meaning “There is no try,” is a portion of “Do or do not, there is no try” said by Master Yoda in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back.

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.


Background

Canada Gazette Information

The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on March 23, 2019, in Volume 153, page 1080 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
Robert S. Bengry

Calligrapher
Kathy Feig


Recipient Information

Individual