Arms of Jean-Paul Valéran Gauthier
Arms of Jean-Paul Valéran Gauthier
Blazon
Azure a cross flory between four alerions Or;
Symbolism
Blue represents Mr. Gauthier’s Quebec and Scottish heritage. It is also the main colour of the schools he has attended: the Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf and the Collège Notre-Dame in Montreal; the Université de Montréal; John's Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; and of the World Bank, his current employer. The cross indicates his Christian faith, and the fleur-de-lis endings, besides being symbols of Quebec and of French heritage, refer to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Alerions appear on the arms of the Hélori de Kermartin family, one of whose members, Yves (1253-1303), is the patron saint of lawyers. Their presence indicates Mr. Gauthier’s profession as a lawyer and his involvement in the Union Internationale des Juristes Catholiques. Alerions are also associated with Godfrey of Bouillon, the leader of the first Crusade and the guardian of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre; in this way, they also allude to Mr. Gauthier’s membership in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.
Crest of Jean-Paul Valéran Gauthier
Blazon
A lion’s head Or wearing an ancient crown all between two sweet grass plants Azure;
Symbolism
The crowned lion’s head is based on the crest of the chief of the Clan MacGregor, and thus marks the heritage of Mr. Gauthier’s wife, Kofoworola Durojaiye MacGregor, and their membership in the Clan Gregor association. The sweetgrass is a New World plant marking Mr. Gauthier’s life in North America.
Motto of Jean-Paul Valéran Gauthier
Blazon
DE DEU AIEZ VERTUT;
Symbolism
DE DEU AIEZ VERTUT, meaning “God keep you in valour”, is an Old French phrase from the 12th-century poem La Chanson de Roland (LXXXII, line 1045).
