Arms of the Province of Nova Scotia
Arms of the Province of Nova Scotia
Blazon
Argent a saltire Azure, overall on an escutcheon Or a lion rampant within a double tressure flory-counter-flory Gules;
Symbolism
The Royal Arms of Scotland on the national flag of Scotland with reversed colours symbolize that Nova Scotia was originally a colony of Scotland with royal support.
Crest of the Province of Nova Scotia
Blazon
A branch of laurel and a thistle issuing from two hands conjoined, the dexter gauntleted in armour, all proper;
Symbolism
The two styles of hands and flora represent the peoples of (Old) Scotland and (New) Scotland coming together as protectors and builders with a goal of peace to create the province.
Motto of the Province of Nova Scotia
Blazon
MUNIT HAEC ET ALTERA VINCIT;
Symbolism
This is translated as “This one defends and the other conquers” in which “This one” refers to Scotland and “the other” refers to Nova Scotia.
Supporters of the Province of Nova Scotia
Blazon
Dexter a unicorn Argent armed crined and unguled Or, crowned with the Royal Crown of Scotland proper, and gorged with a coronet composed of crosses patté and fleurs-de-lis a chain affixed thereto and reflexed Or, sinister a 17th-century representation of an Indigenous person holding in the sinister hand an arrow proper, both standing on a grassy mound Vert set with thistles and mayflowers slipped and leaved proper;
Symbolism
The unicorn bearing the royal crown of Scotland indicates the support of the King of Scotland for this land which was legally part of Scotland. The man illustrates a 17th-century representation of a North American Indigenous person. They stand on a compartment that shows the provincial flower, the mayflower, entwined with the thistle.
