- 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.
District of Langford
Langford, British Columbia
Grant of Arms, Supporters, Flag and Badge
July 27, 1995
Vol. III, p. 35
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Paly of six Gules and Or per fess paly wavy counterchanged on a chief Azure three fountains;
Crest
Issuant from a mural crown Or masoned Azure a demi heraldic tyger Gules gorged with a wreath of dogwood flowers Argent holding between its forepaws a steam locomotive wheel Azure;
Supporters
On a grassy mound Vert set with arbutus trees and pine trees proper rising above barry wavy Argent and Azure charged with a Salish salmon Or dexter a heraldic tyger Or gorged with a collar of lavender flowers Purpure sinister a female cougar Or gorged with a collar of Cheals weeping crabapple flowers Rose;
Motto
GOLDEN IN SETTING DETERMINED IN SPIRIT;
Flag
A banner per fess Or and Gules an escutcheon of the Arms;
Badge
A bezant charged with a demi heraldic tyger Gules gorged with a collar of dogwood flowers Argent holding between its forepaws a steam locomotive wheel Azure;
Symbolism
Arms
The red and gold bars are based on the arms of Captain Edward E. Langford (1809-1895), the district’s namesake, who arrived in the region in 1851. The vertical wavy lines symbolize a waterfall, a particularly important natural setting in the municipal area. The three fountains symbolize the lakes of the District of Langford: Langford Lake, Glen Lake and Florence Lake.
Crest
The mural coronet denotes that these are the arms of a municipality. Springing forth from the coronet is a heraldic “tyger” based on Captain Langford’s crest. It wears a collar of white dogwood flowers, British Columbia’s official flower. The tyger holds a steam locomotive wheel in its forepaws alluding to the historic Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway and the ongoing importance of the transport industry in the community.
Supporters
The tyger reinforces the reference to Captain Langford and its collar of purple lavender alludes to its abundant presence in the Happy Valley area of Langford. The cougar symbolizes the local natural heritage and her collar of pink Cheal’s Weeping Crabapple flowers represents the official tree of Langford. The lush vegetation, parkland, rocky outcrops and forests are honoured by the base upon which the supporters stand. The blue and white represent the streams and waterways used by the Chum salmon during their mating season. The salmon rendered in Salish style pays homage to the salmon run and the First Peoples of the region.
Motto
This sentence lends a reference to the beauty of Langford, including a specific reference to Goldstream Park. It also suggests this community’s drive to enhance Langford’s unique character and surroundings.
Flag
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Badge
The gold disc symbolizes a gold pan, and the tiger repeats the reference to Langford.
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on October 14, 1995, in Volume 129, page 3593 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept by Robert D. Watt, Chief Herald of Canada, assisted by the Heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority
Painter
Gordon Macpherson
Calligrapher
Suzzann Wright
Recipient Information
Civil Institution
Regional, Municipal etc Government
The recipient's emblems have been confirmed on 15 April 2005 in Volume IV, page 476 of the Public Register of Arms, Flags and Badges of Canada.