Canadian Flags and Coats of Arms
M.E. Millett
19 September 2007
Introduction
• Why flags?
– Reveal clues
• Physical geography
• Human geography
• Political geography
– Fun to look at
• Flags in history
– Colors/patterns used to ID kings and lords
• Heraldic shields and helms
• Banners/flags
– Ships also used flags for communication
• International code flags for signaling
Flag terms
• Field: background of the flag
• Charge: an emblem placed on the field
• Canton: upper-left corner of the flag
• Ensign: a flag used at sea
• Proportion: a flag’s dimensions (2:3)
The Coat of Arms
• Shield: main symbol of armorial bearings (most important)
• Crest: adorns the top of the helmet (second most important)
• Motto: word or sentence (least formal part of the achievement)
• Supporters: heraldic items that hold up the shield (associated
with the highest ranks of royalty and nobility)
Coat of Arms of Canada
• Shield contains royal symbols of
France and U.K., and three maple
leaves
• Crest contains a golden lion,
symbol of courage
• Supporters include a lion
(England) and unicorn (Scotland)
• Floral emblems include English
rose, Scottish thistle, Irish
shamrock, French fleurs-de-lis
• Motto: “From sea to sea”
• St. Edward’s Crown indicates
monarch as head of state
The Union Flag - 1867
+ +
St. George’s Cross St. Andrew’s Cross St. Patrick’s Cross
(England) (Scotland) (Ireland)
=
The First Red Ensign
• Flown: 1868-1921
• Ratio: 1:2
• Symbols: arms of first four provinces
The Second Red Ensign
• Flown: 1921-1957
• Ratio: 1:2
• Symbols: English lions, Scottish lion, Irish harp, French
fleurs-de-lis, green maple leaves
The Third Red Ensign
• Flown: 1957-1965
• Ratio: 1:2
• Symbols: English lions, Scottish lion, Irish harp, French
fleurs-de-lis, red maple leaves
Pearson’s Pennant
• Proposed: 1964
• Ratio: 1:2
• Symbols: maple leaves, blue (for water)
National Flag of Canada
• Adopted: 1965
• Ratio: 1:2
• Symbol: 11-pointed maple leaf
Nova Scotia
• First flown: 1625
• Ratio: 2:3
• Symbols: St. Andrew’s Cross (reversed), royal lion
Cape Breton Island (Unofficial)
• Designed: 1994
• Ratio: 2:3
• Symbols: bald eagle, island, water
Québec
• Adopted: 1948
• Ratio: 2:3
• Symbols: white cross, fleurs-de-lis
British Columbia
• Adopted: 1960
• Ratio: 3:5
• Symbols: Union Flag, sun, stylized crown, waves
Prince Edward Island
• Adopted: 1964
• Ratio: 2:3
• Symbols: heraldic lion, oak trees/saplings, island
New Brunswick
• Adopted: 1965
• Ratio: 5:8
• Symbols: heraldic lion, ship, waves
Ontario
• Adopted: 1965
• Ratio: 1:2
• Symbols: Union Flag, St. George’s Cross, maple leaves
Manitoba
• Adopted: 1966
• Ratio: 1:2
• Symbols: Union Flag, St. George’s Cross, bison
Yukon
• Adopted: 1967
• Ratio: 1:2
• Symbols: husky, waves, minerals, fireweed
Alberta
• Adopted: 1968
• Ratio: 1:2
• Symbols: St. George’s Cross, mountains, wheat fields
Saskatchewan
• Adopted: 1969
• Ratio: 1:2
• Symbols: Western Red Lily, royal lion, sheaves of grain
Northwest Territories
• Adopted: 1969
• Ratio: 1:2
• Symbols: white fox, waves, minerals
Newfoundland & Labrador
• Adopted: 1980
• Ratio: 1:2
• Symbols: Union Flag (modernized), gold arrow
Newfoundland (Unofficial)
• First flown: 1840s
• Ratio: 1:2
• Colors: green for Irish Catholics, pink for English
Protestants, white for peace between both
Labrador (Unofficial)
• Designed: 1974
• Ratio: 1:2
• Symbol: spruce twig
Nunavut
• Adopted: 1999
• Ratio: 9:16
• Symbols: stone marker (inuksuk), North Star
Royal Standard of Canada
• Adopted: 1962
• Ratio: 1:2
• Symbols: Queen Elizabeth’s Royal Cipher, Royal Arms
of Canada, maple leaves
Governor General
• Adopted: 1981
• Ratio: 2:3
• Symbols: royal lion, maple leaf, wreath, crown
Conclusions
• Clues revealed
– More populous provinces tend to focus on historical/political ties
• Ontario, Québec, British Columbia, Manitoba, Maritimes
• Ties to England, France, Ireland, Scotland
• Other historical ties to First Nations peoples
– Territories and western provinces focus on physical landscape
• Alberta, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, Yukon, Nunavut
– Physical and social landscapes well represented in both
• Heraldic beasts (bison, narwhal, fox, etc.)
• Physical environment such as mountains, water
• Agricultural endeavors, mineral resources
• People (namely European, but also Inuit and other First Nations)
– Most provinces didn’t have flags until the 1960s
• The future
– How will non-European population be represented?
Canadian Flags and Coats of Arms
Questions?