- 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.
Hans Girdhari Bathija
Toronto, Ontario
Registration of Arms, Flag and Badge
September 20, 2019
Vol. VII, p. 207
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Gules three pallets Or surmounted by three hurts in bend each charged with a rose Or barbed proper seeded Gules;
Crest
A swan rising supporting between its wings elevated and addorsed Or a wheel Gules;
Motto
IGNIS AURUM PROBAT;
Flag
A standard, the Arms in hoist, the fly Argent charged with the Crest between two representations of the Badge separated by two bends Argent fimbriated Azure and inscribed with the Motto in letters Sable;
Badge
A demi-horse couped Azure holding between the legs a sword Or its blade surmounted by a wheel Gules;
Symbolism
Arms
The stripes symbolize connectivity, networks and trade routes. They allude to Mr. Bathija’s career in information technology, to an abacus and thus to his and his family’s background in banking and trade, and to bamboo, symbolic of integrity and flexibility. Red and yellow represent wealth in Chinese culture, Mr. Bathija’s family background. Red is also a national colour of the United Kingdom, Canada and Croatia, countries with which Mr. Bathija and his family have been associated. The three roses represent his wife, son, and daughter, as well as the family’s English heritage.
Crest
The swan alludes to the Hansa, an iconic bird found in Indian mythology. Its position of taking flight is symbolic of elevating oneself and seeking of enlightenment, and it alludes to the migration of the family from one part of the world to the other. Yellow represents gold, symbolic of wealth and integrity. The wheel alludes to the Dharmachakra, an ancient Vedic symbol.
Motto
This Latin phrase meaning “Gold is tempered by fire” is taken from Seneca’s essay De Providentia (V, 9).
Flag
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Badge
The horse represents the Canadian horse and thus Canada, the birthplace of Mr. Bathija’s children. It also symbolizes grace under pressure and refers to Mr. Bathija’s interest in horses and horse racing. The sword represents the City of London, of which he is a Freeman, his support for the armed forces of Canada and the United Kingdom, and the idea of defending family and home. The wheel alludes to the Dharmachakra.
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on March 28, 2020, in Volume 154, page 692 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of Peter O’Donoghue, York Herald at the College of Arms, London (2018).
Painter
Artist of the College of Arms, London / Artiste du Collège d’armes, Londres
Calligrapher
* Not applicable / Sans objet
Recipient Information
Individual
The recipient’s emblems were originally recorded at the College of Arms, London, England, 27 July 2018.