Coat of arms of Vancouver
Encyclopedia
The coat of arms of Vancouver
was granted by the College of Arms
on 31 March 1969.
Lauchlan Hamilton and assumed in 1886, was pictorial in nature depicting a tree, a sailing ship and a train, and did not conform to any rules of heraldry. This coat was in use until 1903, when a newer version was assumed. The second version, designed by James Blomfield, contains many of the elements used in the current coat of arms: the pile (though charged in the second version with a caduceus
), the logger and the fisherman as supporters, and the wavy bars alluding to the ocean. It also retains the motto from the previous emblem, By Sea and Land We Prosper.
The development of the third and current coat of arms started in 1928, when the city council
attempted to register the second version with the College of Arms. The College rejected the registration. Between 1928 and 1932, a committee sat occasionally before shelving the issue. In 1962, the matter was reopened. Members of city staff visited the College to go over the design of the arms, assisted by the Chester Herald
, Walter Verco
. The grant of arms, as well as a badge derived from the arms, was finally approved on 31 March 1969 and presented to Vancouver City Council the following January.
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
was granted by the College of Arms
College of Arms
The College of Arms, or Heralds’ College, is an office regulating heraldry and granting new armorial bearings for England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
on 31 March 1969.
History
Over the course of its history, the city of Vancouver has used three distinct coats of arms. The first, designed by City AldermanAlderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
Lauchlan Hamilton and assumed in 1886, was pictorial in nature depicting a tree, a sailing ship and a train, and did not conform to any rules of heraldry. This coat was in use until 1903, when a newer version was assumed. The second version, designed by James Blomfield, contains many of the elements used in the current coat of arms: the pile (though charged in the second version with a caduceus
Caduceus
The caduceus is the staff carried by Hermes in Greek mythology. The same staff was also borne by heralds in general, for example by Iris, the messenger of Hera. It is a short staff entwined by two serpents, sometimes surmounted by wings...
), the logger and the fisherman as supporters, and the wavy bars alluding to the ocean. It also retains the motto from the previous emblem, By Sea and Land We Prosper.
The development of the third and current coat of arms started in 1928, when the city council
Vancouver City Council
Vancouver City Council is the governing body of the City of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.The city is governed by the Vancouver Charter, not the Community Charter and the Local Government Act which are used for other municipal governments...
attempted to register the second version with the College of Arms. The College rejected the registration. Between 1928 and 1932, a committee sat occasionally before shelving the issue. In 1962, the matter was reopened. Members of city staff visited the College to go over the design of the arms, assisted by the Chester Herald
Chester Herald
Chester Herald of Arms in Ordinary is an officer of arms at the College of Arms in London. The office of Chester Herald dates from the 14th century, and it is reputed that the holder was herald to Edward, Prince of Wales, the Black Prince. In the reign of King Richard II the officer was attached...
, Walter Verco
Walter Verco
Sir Walter John George Verco, KCVO was a long-serving officer of arms who served in many capacities at the College of Arms in London.-Biography:...
. The grant of arms, as well as a badge derived from the arms, was finally approved on 31 March 1969 and presented to Vancouver City Council the following January.
Symbolism
- CrestCrest (heraldry)A crest is a component of an heraldic display, so called because it stands on top of a helmet, as the crest of a jay stands on the bird's head....
: A Ship signifying Vancouver's importance as a seaport, upon a mural crownMural crown-Usage in ancient times:In Hellenistic culture, a mural crown identified the goddess Tyche, the embodiment of the fortune of a city, familiar to Romans as Fortuna...
, the traditional heraldic emblem for a city. - Shield: The dogwood flowers in the chief are a symbol of the province (they can also be found in the compartment of the coat of arms of British ColumbiaCoat of arms of British ColumbiaThe original coat of arms of British Columbia, also known as the Arms of Her Majesty in right of British Columbia, was granted to British Columbia by a Royal Warrant of King Edward VII on 31 March 1906...
). The main charge is a Kwakiutl totem pole, symbol of the area's native heritage, surmounting wavy ribbons of blue and silver (for the waters surrounding the city). - SupportersSupportersIn heraldry, supporters are figures usually placed on either side of the shield and depicted holding it up. These figures may be real or imaginary animals, human figures, and in rare cases plants or inanimate objects...
: A logger and a fisherman, standing for the traditional industries of the area. - MottoMottoA motto is a phrase meant to formally summarize the general motivation or intention of a social group or organization. A motto may be in any language, but Latin is the most used. The local language is usual in the mottoes of governments...
: By Sea Land and Air We Prosper; the word "air" was added to the existing motto to acknowledge the growing importance of aviation to Vancouver's development.
See also
- Flag of VancouverFlag of VancouverThe flag of the city of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, was adopted by City Council on May 17, 1983. It was designed by Robert Watt, then the Director of the Vancouver Museum, and later the Chief Herald of Canada....
- Canadian heraldryCanadian heraldryCanadian heraldry is the cultural tradition and style of coats of arms and other heraldic achievements in both modern and historic Canada. It includes national, provincial, and civic arms, noble and personal arms, ecclesiastical heraldry, heraldic displays as corporate logos, and Canadian heraldic...
- National symbols of CanadaNational symbols of CanadaNational symbols of Canada are the symbols that are used in Canada and abroad to represent the country and its people. Prominently, the use of the maple leaf as a Canadian symbol dates back to the early 18th century, and is depicted on its current and previous flags, the penny, and on the coat of...
- List of Canadian provincial and territorial symbols
- HeraldryHeraldryHeraldry is the profession, study, or art of creating, granting, and blazoning arms and ruling on questions of rank or protocol, as exercised by an officer of arms. Heraldry comes from Anglo-Norman herald, from the Germanic compound harja-waldaz, "army commander"...
External links
- Symbols of the City – City of Vancouver