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Calgary, Alberta
Grant of Arms, Supporters, Flag and Badge
August 20, 2009
Vol. V, p. 465
Arms of the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT Polytechnic)BlazonPer pale Gules and Azure, a lightning bolt Argent grasped in base by two winged hands affronty and clasping each other Or; SymbolismThe lightning flash represents the electrical energy produced by a dynamo, which is a symbol of technology in a broad sense. It also represents the energy applied by students. The wings symbolize the flights of practical imagination and elevated mind that turn ideas into results. |
CrestBlazonA wolf sejant affronty its head to the dexter proper resting its forepaws on an open book Argent bound Gules; SymbolismThe wreath is composed of the school colours of red and blue. The open book calls students to come and learn, and represents past accomplishments and unwritten future. The wolf in aboriginal symbolism characterizes a teacher. |
MottoBlazonINCIPIO ET ERUDIO; SymbolismMeaning “I take in hand and educate,” this evokes not only a school’s viewpoint towards students, but also students’ responsibility towards themselves. |
SupportersBlazonTwo dragons Gules winged Or their undersides Azure, each gorged of a coronet of hazelnuts and wild rose flowers Or, holding a teepee pole Or and standing on a compartment of sandstone blocks proper; SymbolismThe winged dragon is an emblem of both the knowledge to be acquired and of alchemy, the process of changing base metal into valued gold or, more broadly, making a miraculous transformation. The coronets containing the floral symbol of wisdom, the hazelnut, symbolize the idea of wisdom taming ignorance, represented here by the dragon. In the school colours, the dragons allude to Heritage Hall, the building that features dragons as an architectural display and which has housed so many programmes in the history of the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. In addition, the wings recall the one-time use of the school building by the Royal Canadian Air Force, as well as the raptors that fly over the campus daily. The staff represents a pole used to erect a teepee, as well as the lodgepole pine emblem of Alberta. The sandstone evokes the foundation upon which the students build their knowledge and skills to make their place in society. |
Flag of the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT Polytechnic)BlazonA banner of the Arms; SymbolismThe symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record. |
Badge of the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT Polytechnic)BlazonAn annulus fesswise wreathed Gules and Azure enfiled by a mullet of ten points Or; SymbolismThe ring and starburst symbolize a dynamo and are a metaphor of the expression “reaching for the brass ring”. They represent the goal, shared by the teachers and students, of reaching beyond one’s present grasp to embrace one’s dreams. |
BackgroundCanada Gazette InformationThe announcement of the letters patent was made on December 12, 2009 in Volume 143, page 3682 of the Canada Gazette.  |
Additional InformationCreator(s)Original concept of Darrel Kennedy, Assiniboine Herald, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority. PainterGordon Macpherson CalligrapherDoris Wionzek Recipient TypeCivil Institution
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