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National symbols of Canada

October 19, 2023

Over the course of centuries, a multitude of national symbols and material items have arisen as uniquely Canadian or possessing uniquely Canadian characteristics. These symbols and items represent the culture of Canada—protectionism of that culture, identity, values, nationalism, and the heritage of its inhabitants.[1]

The royal proclamation of the national flag of Canada

Themes and symbols of nature, pioneers, trappers, and traders played an important part in the early development of Canadian symbolism.[2] Modern symbols emphasize the country's geography, cold climate, lifestyles, and the Canadianization of traditional European and indigenous symbols.[3]

A 2013 Statistics Canada survey found that more than 90% of those polled believed that the national flag and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms were the top symbols of Canadian identity. Next highest were the national anthem ("O Canada"), the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and ice hockey.[4] A similar poll by Ipsos-Reid in 2008 indicated that the maple leaf was the primary item that defines Canada, followed by ice hockey, the national flag, the beaver, the Canadarm, Canada Day, and Canadian Forces peacekeeping.[5]

Predominant symbols Edit

Further information: Canadian identity, Canadian values, and Canadian folklore
 
The mother beaver on the Canadian parliament's Peace Tower.[6] The five flowers on the shield surrounded by maple leafs each represent an ethnicity—Tudor rose: English; Fleur de lis: French; thistle: Scottish; shamrock: Irish; and leek: Welsh.

Canada's most well known symbol is the maple leaf, which was first used by French colonists in the 1700s.[7] Since the 1850s, under British rule, the maple leaf has been used on military uniforms and, subsequently, engraved on the headstones of individuals who have served in the Canadian Armed Forces.[8] The maple leaf is prominently depicted on the country's current and previous flags and on the country's coat of arms. The maple leaf has also been seen on the penny before circulation of that coin was stopped in 2013. Canada's official tartan, known as the "Maple leaf tartan", consists of four colours reflecting those of the maple leaf as it changes through the seasons—green in the spring, gold in the early autumn, red at the first frost, and brown after falling.[9]

Other prominent symbols include the national motto, A Mari Usque Ad Mare (From Sea to Sea),[10] the sports of hockey and lacrosse, the beaver, Canada goose, Canadian horse, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Canadian Rockies, the Canadian parliamentary complex, the Canadarm,[11] and, more recently, the Canadianization of totem poles and Inuksuks,[12] With material items such as Canadian beer, maple syrup, tuques, canoes, nanaimo bars, butter tarts, and the Quebec dish of poutine being defined as uniquely Canadian.[12][13] A six-pointed, hexagonal snowflake used as the insignia for the Order of Canada has come to symbolize Canada's northern heritage and diversity.[14] The country's institutions of healthcare, military peacekeeping, the national park system, and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms are seen as uniquely Canadian by its citizens.[15][16]

The Crown, displaying traditional cross pattées and fleurs-de-lis, symbolizes the Canadian monarchy[17] and appears on the coat of arms, the governor general's flag,[17] the coats of arms of many provinces and territories; the badges of several federal departments, the Canadian Armed Forces and Royal Military College of Canada, many regiments, police forces, on buildings, as well as some highway signs and licence plates. Also, the image of Queen Elizabeth II (Canada's erstwhile monarch) is on Canadian stamps, $20 bank notes, and all coins. A poll taken in 2022 determined that 55 per cent of respondents agreed the country's monarchy helps define Canadian identity and six in 10 felt it helps to differentiate Canada from the United States.[18]

Official and de facto symbols Edit

Further information: Canadian royal symbols
Further information: List of Canadian provincial and territorial symbols

The following is a list of official and de facto symbols, as recognized by the government of Canada.[19] They are not shown in any order of precedence.

Symbol Image Notes
National flag[19]   Official symbol as of February 15, 1965[19]
Royal Standard of Canada[20]   Royal symbol adopted in 1962
Governor general's standard   Viceregal symbol adopted in 1981[21]
Royal Union Flag[22][17]   Affirmed by parliament as a national symbol on December 18, 1964[23][24]
Canadian Royal Crown[25]
 
 Royal symbol approved in April 2023 by King Charles III on the advice of the Prime Minister of Canada[26]
Royal cypher[17]   Royal symbol since 2022[27]
Royal Coat of Arms of Canada[19][28]   Royal symbol as of November 21, 1921[19]
Canada wordmark[29]   Official since 1972[29]
Great Seal[19]   De facto symbol since 1867 (current version since November 14, 1955)[19]
National anthem[19]  
"O Canada" 		Official since July 1, 1980 (song dates back to 1880)[19]
Royal anthem[17]  
"God Save the King" 		De facto royal anthem that dates back to 1745[30]
Motto[19]  
A Mari Usque Ad Mare
(From sea to sea) 		Officially adopted on November 21, 1921[19]
National colours[19]

Red
#ff0000

White
#FFFFFF

Official symbol as of November 21, 1921 by order of King George V[19]
National tree[19]  
Sugar maple 		Official symbol since 1996[19]
Additional national symbol[19]  
Maple leaf 		De facto symbol since the 1700s[19]
National animals[19]  
North American beaver 		Official symbol since 1975[19]
 
Canadian horse 		Official symbol since 2002[19]
National sport[19][31]  
Lacrosse (summer) 		Officially adopted on May 12, 1994[19]
 
Ice hockey (winter) 		Officially adopted on May 12, 1994[19]
National tartan[19]  
Maple leaf tartan 		Officially adopted on March 9, 2011[19]
Royal Canadian Mounted Police[19]   De facto symbol since 1920[19]
Parliament Hill[19]   De facto symbol; built between 1859 and 1927[19]

See also Edit

References Edit

  1. ^ Michael Dawson; Donald A. Wright; Catherine Anne Gidney (2018). Symbols of Canada. Between the Lines. p. 32. ISBN 978-1-77113-371-5.
  2. ^ "Canada in the Making: Pioneers and Immigrants". The History Channel. August 25, 2005. Retrieved November 30, 2006.
  3. ^ Cormier, Jeffrey. (2004). The Canadianization Movement: Emergence, Survival, and Success. 10.3138/9781442680616.
  4. ^ "The Daily — Canadian identity, 2013". www.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved January 10, 2015.Canadian Identity, 2013 - By Maire Sinha
  5. ^ Defining Canada: A Nation Chooses The 101 Things That Best Define Their Country "Unprecedented, Definitive National Survey Identifies Top People, Places, Events, Accomplishments and Symbols that Define Canada. As Chosen By Canadian. Ipsos Reid on behalf of the Dominion Institute and the Department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada, 2008. PDF version
  6. ^ Monaghan, David (2013). "The mother beaver – Collection Profiles". The House of Commons Heritage. from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  7. ^ "Unofficial symbols of Canada". The Department of Canadian Heritage. Retrieved 2019-01-01.
  8. ^ Michael Dawson; Donald A. Wright; Catherine Anne Gidney (October 15, 2018). Symbols of Canada. Between the Lines. ISBN 978-1-77113-371-5.
  9. ^ "Maple Leaf Tartan becomes official symbol". Toronto Star. Toronto. March 9, 2011.
  10. ^ Reingard M. Nischik (2008). History of Literature in Canada: English-Canadian and French-Canadian. Camden House. pp. 113–114. ISBN 978-1-57113-359-5.
  11. ^ Canadian Heritage (2002). Symbols of Canada. Canadian Government Publishing. ISBN 978-0-660-18615-3.
  12. ^ a b Sociology in Action, Canadian Edition, 2nd ed. Nelson Education-McGraw-Hill Education. p. 92. ISBN 978-0-17-672841-0.
  13. ^ Hutchins, Donna; Hutchins, Nigel (2006). The Maple Leaf Forever: A Celebration of Canadian Symbols. Erin: The Boston Mills Press. p. iix intro. ISBN 978-1-55046-474-0.
  14. ^ "Canadian Honours > Order of Canada > Levels and Insignia". The Governor General of Canada. 2002.
  15. ^ The Environics Institute (2010). (PDF). Queen's University. p. 4 (PDF page 8). Archived from the original (PDF) on February 4, 2016. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  16. ^ Nanos Research (October 2016). (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on April 5, 2017. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  17. ^ a b c d e "The Crown in Canada". Department of Canadian Heritage. from the original on 2011-08-27. Retrieved 2011-07-27.
  18. ^ . Archived from the original on September 21, 2022. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  19. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac Canadian Heritage (2002). Symbols of Canada. Canadian Government Publishing. ISBN 978-0-660-18615-3. Unofficial symbols of Canada, Official symbols of Canada, Royal symbols and titles
  20. ^ "Royal Emblems". The Governor General of Canada.
  21. ^ General, The Office of the Secretary to the Governor. "Governor General of Canada [Civil Institution]". publications.gc.ca.
  22. ^ "The Royal Union flag (Union Jack)". The Governor General of Canada. Retrieved 2023-04-05.
  23. ^ "Symbols of Canada" (PDF). reg.gg.ca.
  24. ^ "Letters Patent registering the Royal Union Flag". gg.ca.
  25. ^ "Royal Emblems". Governor General of Canada.
  26. ^ "Canada unveils new crown with snowflake and maple leaves instead of religious symbols". nationalpost.com.
  27. ^ Heritage, Canadian (September 8, 2022). "Transition of the Crown — what it means for Canadians". www.canada.ca.
  28. ^ "The arms of Canada". Department of Canadian Heritage. from the original on 2009-02-28. Retrieved 2011-07-27.
  29. ^ a b "Official symbols: Design Standard for the Federal Identity Program". www.canada.ca. Treasury Board of Canada. 13 December 2021. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  30. ^ Heritage, Canadian (11 August 2017). "Royal Anthem". aem. 'O Canada' and 'God Save the Queen'/'Dieu sauve la Reine' were approved by Parliament in 1967 as Canada's national and royal anthems. However, legislation to this effect was passed only in 1980, and applied only to 'O Canada.'
  31. ^ "National Sports of Canada Act, CHAPTER N-16.7". Code of Canada. Government of Canada. 12 May 1994. from the original on 19 April 2012.

Further reading Edit

  • Daniel Francis (1997). National Dreams: Myth, Memory, and Canadian History. arsenal pulp press. ISBN 978-1-55152-043-8. OCLC 1023918608.
  • Corinna Pike; Christopher McCreery (14 June 2011). Canadian Symbols of Authority: Maces, Chains, and Rods of Office. Dundurn. ISBN 978-1-4597-0016-1. OCLC 1091195772.

External links Edit

  • Canadian Heritage: Symbols of Canada (PDF)

October 19, 2023
national, symbols, canada, over, course, centuries, multitude, national, symbols, material, items, have, arisen, uniquely, canadian, possessing, uniquely, canadian, characteristics, these, symbols, items, represent, culture, canada, protectionism, that, cultur. Over the course of centuries a multitude of national symbols and material items have arisen as uniquely Canadian or possessing uniquely Canadian characteristics These symbols and items represent the culture of Canada protectionism of that culture identity values nationalism and the heritage of its inhabitants 1 The royal proclamation of the national flag of Canada Themes and symbols of nature pioneers trappers and traders played an important part in the early development of Canadian symbolism 2 Modern symbols emphasize the country s geography cold climate lifestyles and the Canadianization of traditional European and indigenous symbols 3 A 2013 Statistics Canada survey found that more than 90 of those polled believed that the national flag and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms were the top symbols of Canadian identity Next highest were the national anthem O Canada the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and ice hockey 4 A similar poll by Ipsos Reid in 2008 indicated that the maple leaf was the primary item that defines Canada followed by ice hockey the national flag the beaver the Canadarm Canada Day and Canadian Forces peacekeeping 5 Contents 1 Predominant symbols 2 Official and de facto symbols 3 See also 4 References 5 Further reading 6 External linksPredominant symbols EditFurther information Canadian identity Canadian values and Canadian folklore nbsp The mother beaver on the Canadian parliament s Peace Tower 6 The five flowers on the shield surrounded by maple leafs each represent an ethnicity Tudor rose English Fleur de lis French thistle Scottish shamrock Irish and leek Welsh Canada s most well known symbol is the maple leaf which was first used by French colonists in the 1700s 7 Since the 1850s under British rule the maple leaf has been used on military uniforms and subsequently engraved on the headstones of individuals who have served in the Canadian Armed Forces 8 The maple leaf is prominently depicted on the country s current and previous flags and on the country s coat of arms The maple leaf has also been seen on the penny before circulation of that coin was stopped in 2013 Canada s official tartan known as the Maple leaf tartan consists of four colours reflecting those of the maple leaf as it changes through the seasons green in the spring gold in the early autumn red at the first frost and brown after falling 9 Other prominent symbols include the national motto A Mari Usque Ad Mare From Sea to Sea 10 the sports of hockey and lacrosse the beaver Canada goose Canadian horse the Royal Canadian Mounted Police the Canadian Rockies the Canadian parliamentary complex the Canadarm 11 and more recently the Canadianization of totem poles and Inuksuks 12 With material items such as Canadian beer maple syrup tuques canoes nanaimo bars butter tarts and the Quebec dish of poutine being defined as uniquely Canadian 12 13 A six pointed hexagonal snowflake used as the insignia for the Order of Canada has come to symbolize Canada s northern heritage and diversity 14 The country s institutions of healthcare military peacekeeping the national park system and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms are seen as uniquely Canadian by its citizens 15 16 The Crown displaying traditional cross pattees and fleurs de lis symbolizes the Canadian monarchy 17 and appears on the coat of arms the governor general s flag 17 the coats of arms of many provinces and territories the badges of several federal departments the Canadian Armed Forces and Royal Military College of Canada many regiments police forces on buildings as well as some highway signs and licence plates Also the image of Queen Elizabeth II Canada s erstwhile monarch is on Canadian stamps 20 bank notes and all coins A poll taken in 2022 determined that 55 per cent of respondents agreed the country s monarchy helps define Canadian identity and six in 10 felt it helps to differentiate Canada from the United States 18 Official and de facto symbols EditFurther information Canadian royal symbols Further information List of Canadian provincial and territorial symbols The following is a list of official and de facto symbols as recognized by the government of Canada 19 They are not shown in any order of precedence Symbol Image NotesNational flag 19 nbsp Official symbol as of February 15 1965 19 Royal Standard of Canada 20 nbsp Royal symbol adopted in 1962Governor general s standard nbsp Viceregal symbol adopted in 1981 21 Royal Union Flag 22 17 nbsp Affirmed by parliament as a national symbol on December 18 1964 23 24 Canadian Royal Crown 25 nbsp Royal symbol approved in April 2023 by King Charles III on the advice of the Prime Minister of Canada 26 Royal cypher 17 nbsp Royal symbol since 2022 27 Royal Coat of Arms of Canada 19 28 nbsp Royal symbol as of November 21 1921 19 Canada wordmark 29 nbsp Official since 1972 29 Great Seal 19 nbsp De facto symbol since 1867 current version since November 14 1955 19 National anthem 19 nbsp source source O Canada Official since July 1 1980 song dates back to 1880 19 Royal anthem 17 nbsp source track track track track track God Save the King De facto royal anthem that dates back to 1745 30 Motto 19 nbsp A Mari Usque Ad Mare From sea to sea Officially adopted on November 21 1921 19 National colours 19 Red ff0000White FFFFFF Official symbol as of November 21 1921 by order of King George V 19 National tree 19 nbsp Sugar maple Official symbol since 1996 19 Additional national symbol 19 nbsp Maple leaf De facto symbol since the 1700s 19 National animals 19 nbsp North American beaver Official symbol since 1975 19 nbsp Canadian horse Official symbol since 2002 19 National sport 19 31 nbsp Lacrosse summer Officially adopted on May 12 1994 19 nbsp Ice hockey winter Officially adopted on May 12 1994 19 National tartan 19 nbsp Maple leaf tartan Officially adopted on March 9 2011 19 Royal Canadian Mounted Police 19 nbsp De facto symbol since 1920 19 Parliament Hill 19 nbsp De facto symbol built between 1859 and 1927 19 See also Edit nbsp Canada portalBC AB SK MB ON QC NB PE NS NL YT NT NU nbsp Symbols by provinces and territories Anthems and nationalistic songs of Canada Events of National Historic Significance Great Canadian flag debate List of Canadian awards List of Canadian flags National Historic Sites of Canada Orders decorations and medals of Canada Orders decorations and medals of the Canadian provinces Persons of National Historic Significance Regional tartans of CanadaReferences Edit Michael Dawson Donald A Wright Catherine Anne Gidney 2018 Symbols of Canada Between the Lines p 32 ISBN 978 1 77113 371 5 Canada in the Making Pioneers and Immigrants The History Channel August 25 2005 Retrieved November 30 2006 Cormier Jeffrey 2004 The Canadianization Movement Emergence Survival and Success 10 3138 9781442680616 The Daily Canadian identity 2013 www statcan gc ca Retrieved January 10 2015 Canadian Identity 2013 By Maire Sinha Defining Canada A Nation Chooses The 101 Things That Best Define Their Country Unprecedented Definitive National Survey Identifies Top People Places Events Accomplishments and Symbols that Define Canada As Chosen By Canadian Ipsos Reid on behalf of the Dominion Institute and the Department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada 2008 PDF version Monaghan David 2013 The mother beaver Collection Profiles The House of Commons Heritage Archived from the original on December 22 2015 Retrieved December 12 2015 Unofficial symbols of Canada The Department of Canadian Heritage Retrieved 2019 01 01 Michael Dawson Donald A Wright Catherine Anne Gidney October 15 2018 Symbols of Canada Between the Lines ISBN 978 1 77113 371 5 Maple Leaf Tartan becomes official symbol Toronto Star Toronto March 9 2011 Reingard M Nischik 2008 History of Literature in Canada English Canadian and French Canadian Camden House pp 113 114 ISBN 978 1 57113 359 5 Canadian Heritage 2002 Symbols of Canada Canadian Government Publishing ISBN 978 0 660 18615 3 a b Sociology in Action Canadian Edition 2nd ed Nelson Education McGraw Hill Education p 92 ISBN 978 0 17 672841 0 Hutchins Donna Hutchins Nigel 2006 The Maple Leaf Forever A Celebration of Canadian Symbols Erin The Boston Mills Press p iix intro ISBN 978 1 55046 474 0 Canadian Honours gt Order of Canada gt Levels and Insignia The Governor General of Canada 2002 The Environics Institute 2010 Focus Canada Final Report PDF Queen s University p 4 PDF page 8 Archived from the original PDF on February 4 2016 Retrieved December 12 2015 Nanos Research October 2016 Exploring Canadian values PDF Archived from the original PDF on April 5 2017 Retrieved February 1 2017 a b c d e The Crown in Canada Department of Canadian Heritage Archived from the original on 2011 08 27 Retrieved 2011 07 27 Canadians Conflicted on Future Role of Monarchy as Half 54 Say Canada Should End Ties to Monarchy Archived from the original on September 21 2022 Retrieved September 21 2022 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac Canadian Heritage 2002 Symbols of Canada Canadian Government Publishing ISBN 978 0 660 18615 3 Unofficial symbols of Canada Official symbols of Canada Royal symbols and titles Royal Emblems The Governor General of Canada General The Office of the Secretary to the Governor Governor General of Canada Civil Institution publications gc ca The Royal Union flag Union Jack The Governor General of Canada Retrieved 2023 04 05 Symbols of Canada PDF reg gg ca Letters Patent registering the Royal Union Flag gg ca Royal Emblems Governor General of Canada Canada unveils new crown with snowflake and maple leaves instead of religious symbols nationalpost com Heritage Canadian September 8 2022 Transition of the Crown what it means for Canadians www canada ca The arms of Canada Department of Canadian Heritage Archived from the original on 2009 02 28 Retrieved 2011 07 27 a b Official symbols Design Standard for the Federal Identity Program www canada ca Treasury Board of Canada 13 December 2021 Retrieved 18 February 2023 Heritage Canadian 11 August 2017 Royal Anthem aem O Canada and God Save the Queen Dieu sauve la Reine were approved by Parliament in 1967 as Canada s national and royal anthems However legislation to this effect was passed only in 1980 and applied only to O Canada National Sports of Canada Act CHAPTER N 16 7 Code of Canada Government of Canada 12 May 1994 Archived from the original on 19 April 2012 Further reading EditDaniel Francis 1997 National Dreams Myth Memory and Canadian History arsenal pulp press ISBN 978 1 55152 043 8 OCLC 1023918608 Corinna Pike Christopher McCreery 14 June 2011 Canadian Symbols of Authority Maces Chains and Rods of Office Dundurn ISBN 978 1 4597 0016 1 OCLC 1091195772 External links EditCanadian Heritage Symbols of Canada PDF Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title National symbols of Canada amp oldid 1180832683, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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