Canadian Symbols

The Maple Leaf

The Maple Leaf It’s believed that the maple leaf became a Canadian symbol as early as the 1700′s. Indians have been using the sap of the trees for food long before Canada saw ships on its horizon. Several groups used the Maple Leaf as a symbol in the 1800′s, including its use on the badge [...]

24Oct2009 | Pat Williams | View Comments | Continued

Great Seal of Canada

The Great Seal of Canada is not a cute furry ocean dwelling animal, it is a symbol used on all state documents for authority and authenticity. Documents such as proclamations, commissions of cabinet ministers, senators, judges and senior government officials. Great Seal of Canada The Great Seal of Canada provides the formal sanction of the [...]

24Oct2009 | Pat Williams | View Comments | Continued

The Canadian Flag

(Featured 2001)Flag on Canada Canada’s longest battle was waged in parliament over the introduction of a uniquely Canadian symbol…..the flag. That is not to assume that a distinctly Canadian flag wasn’t considered before the maple leaf version was adopted…..the current design was actually discussed as early as 1919. Up until, 1945, the only “official” flag [...]

24Oct2009 | Pat Williams | View Comments | Continued

The Name “Canada”

Canada is derived from the word “kanata” which in Huron-Iroquois language means “village” or “settlement”.map The word kanata was first heard by Jacques Cartier while he was requesting directions to Quebec City, which in 1535, was the Indian village of Stadacona. Cartier expanded the use of the word Canada to include all lands overseen by [...]

24Oct2009 | Pat Williams | View Comments | Continued

The Beaver

You would think with the size and wilderness of Canada that the animal most associated with our country would be the moose, or the bear. But no, it’s the quiet, unassuming, hard working beaver………..actually, maybe it’s a perfect representation after all… But, how did the beaver become “our animal”? Famous enough to grace our nickel [...]

24Oct2009 | Pat Williams | View Comments | Continued

Arms of Canada

Initially the purpose of the arms of Canada was to identify, a nameplate of sorts. Many years ago, literacy was limited and people were more likely to identify with images rather than words. The act of designing these symbols is called Heraldry. All countries used Heraldry and it became an art, often the arms were [...]

24Oct2009 | Pat Williams | View Comments | Continued