- 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.
The Empress
Victoria, British Columbia
Grant of a Badge
September 28, 1999
Vol. III, p. 347
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Badge
Out of a coronet erablé Gules the rim charged with dogwood flowers Argent seeded Or in the centre of the rim a finial terminating in a maple leaf Gules charged with three dogwood flowers Argent seeded Or a demi cougar wearing a like coronet also Or with maple leaves upon the rim Gules and that upon the finial Or;
Symbolism
Badge
The cougar is an animal indigenous to Vancouver Island. The use of the crown pays tribute to Queen Victoria, Empress of India, in whose honour The Empress Hotel and the City of Victoria were named. The maple leaves and dogwood flowers are symbols of Canada and of British Columbia. The central finial of the crown alludes to the arches found on imperial or royal crowns. The colours and depiction of the badge also utilize ideas from Chinese symbolism. The gold and red colours represent metal (signifying justice, courtesy and honesty) and fire (signifying warmth, fame and fortune) respectively. The three fingers of the paws of the cougar represent heaven, human beings and earth, and the raised position of the arms indicates that it holds on to its good fortune.
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on July 22, 2000, in Volume 134, page 2265 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of Robert D. Watt, Chief Herald of Canada, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
Painter
Joan Bouwmeester
Calligrapher
Joan Bouwmeester
Recipient Information
Civil Institution
Profit Organization