The contents of this Register are intended for research purposes only. The heraldic emblems found in the Register may not be reproduced in any form or in any media without the written consent of the Canadian Heraldic Authority and/or the recipient.
St John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
Registration of Arms, Supporters and a Flag
November 15, 2010
Vol. VI, p. 9
Arms of the Province of Newfoundland and LabradorBlazonGules a cross Argent between in the first and fourth quarters a lion passant guardant wearing the Royal Crown Or and in the second and third quarters a unicorn passant Argent armed, crined, unguled and gorged with a coronet of crosses patté and fleurs-de-lis to which is attached a chain passing between its forelegs and reflexed over its back Or; SymbolismThe crowned lions and unicorns have been the supporters of the Royal Arms of England and Scotland since 1603. |
CrestBlazonAn elk passant proper; SymbolismThe “elk” represents the wildlife of Newfoundland and Labrador. |
MottoBlazonQUÆRITE PRIME REGNUM DEI; SymbolismMeaning “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God”, this Latin phrase is taken from Matthew 6:33. |
SupportersBlazonTwo Indigenous persons armed and apparelled for war standing on a grassy mount proper; SymbolismThese represent Newfoundland’s Indigenous Beothuk people. |
Flag of the Province of Newfoundland and LabradorBlazonArgent in hoist four gyrons Azure, in fly an arrow symbol contourné fesswise Or fimbriated Gules between two gyrons Gules voided of the field their points to the sinister; SymbolismWhite symbolizes snow and ice, blue the sea, red human effort, and gold the confidence people of the province have in themselves. The blue triangles evoke the design of the Royal Union Flag, used as the provincial flag prior to 1980. The gold arrow points to a bright future. The red triangles represent the mainland and island parts of the province. Together with the arrow, they form the image of a trident, symbolic of the sea and a reference to the importance of fishing to the province. |
BackgroundCanada Gazette InformationThe announcement of the letters patent was made on November 12, 2011 in Volume 145, page 3514 of the Canada Gazette.  |
Additional InformationCreator(s)Original concepts of the heralds of the College of Arms, London, (Arms) and Christopher Pratt (Flag). PainterArtist of the College of Arms, London / Artiste du Collège d’armes, Londres CalligrapherNot applicable Recipient TypeCivil Institution
Other InformationThe arms were recorded in the records of the College of Arms, London, 1 January 1637 (Julian Calendar). The flag was adopted pursuant to the Provincial Flag Act (S.N. 1980, c. 5), assented on 28 May 1980. |