Hiroko Mackie

Per fess enarched Murrey and Argent, in chief two quill pens in saltire surmounted by an open book Argent bound Or inscribed with the Motto, in base a lark and a jay addorsed Sable transfixed by an arrow fesswise proper;

The deep red and white colours are those found on the flag of Kumamoto Prefecture in Japan, where Ms. Mackie was born and raised. The Scottish arms of Mackie of Larg feature two ravens pierced by a single arrow: here the ravens are changed to a jay, representing the Steller’s jay, the avian symbol of British Columbia, the home province of Ms. Mackie’s husband; and to a lark, representing a Eurasian skylark, the avian symbol of Kumamoto Prefecture. The arrow piercing the birds’ hearts alludes to the romantic union of Ms. Mackie and her husband. The book and quills signify Ms. Mackie’s scholarly achievements in Japan and Canada and her love of reading and calligraphy. The pens form an X, alluding to the name of St. Francis Xavier, the patron saint of Japan.