Black-blue lakes, numerous rivers, majestic western mountains, rolling central plains, and forested eastern valleys

The Coat of Arms

In the Middle Ages, coats of arms served as a sort of identification card. This was especially true on the battlefield where coat of arms made it possible to distinguish allies from enemies. Today, they are used to preserve traditions and inspire love of country.
The Canada Coat of Arms, or Arms of Canada, were originally adopted by proclamation of His Majesty King George V in 1921. In 1994, a circular, red ribbon was added to the arms – displaying the motto of the Order of Canada: Desiderantes Meliorem Patriam. The English translation of the Latin text is “They desire a better country”, which is taken from the Epistle to the Hebrews (New Testament) 11:16.

Design of the Canada Coat of Arms

The present design of the Arms of Canada was drawn by Mrs. Cathy Bursey-Sabourin, Fraser Herald of Arms^Footnote2 at the Canadian Heraldic Authority ^Footnote3, office of the Governor General of Canada. It faithfully depicts the arms described in the Royal Proclamation of November 21, 1921. The design includes:

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  symbols of the four founding nations of Canada featured on the shield: the three royal lions of England, the royal lion of Scotland, the royal fleur-de-lis of France, and the royal Irish harp of Tara;
  
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  the lion of England holding the Royal Union Flag and the unicorn of Scotland carrying the flag of Royal France;
  
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  the floral emblems of the four founding nations: the English rose, the Scottish thistle, the French fleur-de-lis, and the Irish shamrock;
  
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  the Royal Crown at the top, indicating that these are the Arms of Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, commonly called the “Canada Coat of Arms”, the “Coat of Arms of Canada”, the “Arms of Canada” or the “Royal Coat of Arms of Canada”.
  

Where you find the Canada Coat of Arms

The Canada Coat of Arms are used on federal government possessions like buildings, official seals, money, passports, proclamations and publications. They are also reproduced on the rank badges of some members of the Canadian Armed Forces. The Arms of Canada are also used by federal institutions, including the Supreme Court of Canada, the Federal Court of Canada and the Tax Court of Canada to symbolize their judicial independence from the Government of Canada.