- 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.
David Farrar
Ottawa, Ontario
Grant of Arms and Badge, with differences to Nicola Bronwen Farrar, Debra Louise Barker, Peta Claire Gilboe, Meghan Anne Barker, Sara Jane Gilboe and Emily Anne Gilboe
April 15, 2019
Vol. VII, p. 171
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Or five piles reversed throughout conjoined in chief Sable, in point a rose en soleil Argent;
Crest
A tree Or between two ravens addorsed reguardant Sable;
Motto
CREATE;
Badge
A lozenge Sable charged with a seahorse Or;
Differenced Arms for the late Nicola Bronwen Farrar, child of David Farrar
The Arms of David Farrar debruised of a chief Sable charged with two barrulets wavy Or;
Differenced Arms for Debra Louise Barker, child of David Farrar
The Arms of David Farrar debruised of a chief Sable charged with three open books Or during her father’s lifetime; This individual will inherit the Arms of the Recipient following his death;
Differenced Arms for Peta Claire Gilboe, child of David Farrar
The Arms of David Farrar debruised of a chief Sable charged with three roses Or;
Differenced Arms for Meghan Anne Barker, grandchild of David Farrar
The Arms of David Farrar debruised of a chief Sable charged with three trees eradicated Or during the lifetime of her mother Debra Louise Barker;
Differenced Arms for Sara Jane Gilboe, grandchild of David Farrar
The Arms of David Farrar debruised of a chief Sable charged with three crosses Or during the lifetime of her mother Peta Claire Gilboe;
Differenced Arms for Emily Anne Gilboe, grandchild of David Farrar
The Arms of David Farrar debruised of a chief Sable charged with three whale tails issuant Or;
Symbolism
Arms
The one-point perspective drawing symbolizes Mr. Farrar’s life and his work as an artist. Black and gold are colours he associates with happy times in his childhood, as they were used by buses he and his family took to travel to the seaside, and were also the colours of the Hull City Tigers soccer team he supported. The rose represents Yorkshire, England, where he was born. The sun rays which illuminate it refer to “illuminating” manuscripts, and thus to Mr. Farrar’s work as a heraldic artist.
Crest
Emblematic of Mr. Farrar’s and his wife Pauline’s Celtic and Nordic roots, the ravens represent Huginn and Muninn, Odin’s messengers and wisdom whisperers in Norse mythology. Known for travelling in pairs and showing considerable devotion to their families, the ravens also refer to the family’s immigration to Canada. The Celtic tree of life is a symbol of balance and harmony.
Motto
This word describes Mr. and Ms. Farrar’s careers as artists and honours creativity as a tool to making changes in society.
Badge
The seahorse underscores Mr. Farrar’s love of the ocean. Similar to the shape of a spearhead, the lozenge refers to Mr. Farrar’s name, an occupational surname for a blacksmith or ironworker.
Differenced Arms for the late Nicola Bronwen Farrar, child of David Farrar
The wavy lines indicate that she loved the water and recall that she was a competitive swimmer.
Differenced Arms for Debra Louise Barker, child of David Farrar
The books symbolize her many degrees and her love of reading.
Differenced Arms for Peta Claire Gilboe, child of David Farrar
The roses with seeds refer to her creativity and work with children.
Differenced Arms for Meghan Anne Barker, grandchild of David Farrar
The trees convey the ideas of wellness, regeneration and flexibility that she provides as a physiotherapist.
Differenced Arms for Sara Jane Gilboe, grandchild of David Farrar
The crosses, symbolizing health care, allude to her studies in global nursing.
Differenced Arms for Emily Anne Gilboe, grandchild of David Farrar
The whale tails represent her affinity for sea animals and her studies in marine biology.
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on December 7, 2019, in Volume 153, page 4267 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of David Farrar and Samy Khalid, Saguenay Herald, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
Painter
David Farrar
Calligrapher
Luc Saucier
Recipient Information
Individual