The Governor General of Canada

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Arms of William David Sinclair William David Sinclair

Differenced Arms for Douglas Norman Sinclair, child of William David Sinclair

William David Sinclair

Ottawa, Ontario
Grant of Arms, Flag and Badge, with differences to Douglas Norman Sinclair, Jessica Elizabeth Gamble and Oliver Andrew Gamble
November 15, 2019
Vol. VII, p. 220

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

Blazon

Arms

Azure in chief a sun in splendour Or its bottom ray extended, in base a snowflake, in the flanks two trout hauriant Argent;

Crest

An otter wearing a miner’s helmet paddling a canoe, its prow and stern each charged with the Greek letter nu (ν) Sable, issuant from a bar wavy Azure charged with a barrulet wavy Argent;

Motto

REJOICE IN DISCOVERY;

Flag

A banner of the Arms;

Badge

A snowflake Argent irradiated Azure charged with a plate inscribed with the Greek letter nu (ν) Sable;

Differenced Arms for Douglas Norman Sinclair, child of William David Sinclair

The Arms of William David Sinclair debruised of a three-point label Argent; This individual will inherit the Arms of the Recipient following his death;

Differenced Arms for Jessica Elizabeth Gamble, child of William David Sinclair

The Arms of William David Sinclair within a bordure Or;

Differenced Arms for Oliver Andrew Gamble, grandchild of William David Sinclair

The Arms of Jessica Elizabeth Gamble debruised of a three-point label Argent;

Symbolism

Arms

The sun represents the stellar origin of neutrinos, whose detection and study have played a central role in Dr. Sinclair’s career. Its extended ray represents the path of neutrino particles from a star across the cosmos. The snowflake represents the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory, commonly known as SNOLAB, the facility where Dr. Sinclair conducted his research. The trout allude to sport fishing and Dr. Sinclair’s love of the outdoors. The dark blue represents water and Dr. Sinclair’s love of natural waterways, as well as the darkness of outer space, through which neutrinos travel.

Crest

The otter is Dr. Sinclair’s favourite animal. Its appearance here represents his good humour and acts as a reminder to find enjoyment in life and work. The canoe represents one of Dr. Sinclair’s favourite recreational activities, and also alludes to his love for the outdoors. The miner’s helmet represents Dr. Sinclair’s work at SNOLAB, which is located deep underground within a mine. The Greek letter ν (nu) is used as a scientific symbol to designate neutrinos. The blue and white wavy bars represent water and outdoor recreation, as well as the waves of oscillation of neutrinos as they travel through space. The three bands represent the three possible quantum states of neutrinos.

Motto

This phrase represents Dr. Sinclair’s feeling of wonderment and elation at scientific discovery, and his conviction that meaningful work can lead to profound satisfaction and fulfilment.