- 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.
Ian Leslie Macdonald
Toronto, Ontario
Grant of Arms, Flag and Badge
September 15, 2021
Vol. VIII, p. 20
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Or a lymphad sails furled oars in action Sable flagged Gules, on a chief per saltire Sable and Argent a vesica piscis between two flaunches Or;
Crest
A red-tailed hawk wings addorsed and inverted proper grasping in its talons a plate and issuant from a coronet of maple leaves and thistles Or;
Motto
LOOK AND BEHOLD;
Flag
Or a lymphad sails furled oars in action Sable flagged Gules, adextré the chief of the Arms palewise;
Badge
On a roundel per saltire Azure and Argent an eagle’s head couped Argent;
Symbolism
Arms
The black ship on gold is common to Macdonald coats of arms as an indication of the historical title of Lord of the Isles. For Mr. Macdonald, it represents the various Scottish isles on which his ancestors were born, as well as the emigration of his ancestors from Scotland to Canada. The oval, triangles, and semi-ovals illustrate the physics of light refracted through a lens, and how an image is captured through the eyes. They symbolize Mr. Macdonald’s work as a renowned photographer, having been commissioned several times by Her Majesty The Queen.
Crest
The red-tailed hawk is a bird with which Mr. Macdonald feels a particular affinity. As a keen-eyed hunter, it also alludes to his service with the 48th Highlanders of Canada as the regiment’s photographer. The white disc symbolizes a camera’s lens and connects to the Motto. The thistles refer to Mr. Macdonald’s Scottish heritage. The maple leaves represent Canada.
Motto
This phrase identifies the purpose of a photographer.
Flag
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Badge
The disc’s division represents a camera lens capturing an image. Blue and white are prominent colours in the Badge of the 48th Highlanders, which features a falcon’s head. Together, they symbolize Mr. Macdonald’s role as the regimental photographer.
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on December 11, 2021, in Volume 155, page 5670 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
Desirée Kern
Calligrapher
Yolande Lessard
Recipient Information
Individual