Arms of Victor Hugo Fernández Meyer

Blazon

Per pale Argent and Gules a roundel issuant therefrom four copihue (Lapageria rosea) blossoms in cross and within an orle of white mariposa (Hedychium coronarium koenig) blossoms, all counterchanged;

Symbolism

The copihue is the national flower of Chile, Mr. Fernández Meyer’s country of origin, while the white mariposa is the national flower of Cuba, where his wife, Marlenys de la Cruz Nagera, was born. Red and white are the colours of the Canadian flag and also appear on the flags of Chile and Cuba, thus representing the family’s past and present. The arrangement of the flowers suggests a wheel, a reference to Mr. Fernández Meyer’s belief in the cycle of good works, to which the motto also alludes. The design also suggests his humanitarian activities: the copihue flowers spread like four hands from the centre, reaching out to touch the lives of those near the edge of the shield, represented by the mariposa flowers. Finally, the arrangement of the dramatic copihue blossoms within a ring of more modest mariposa flowers suggests passion – a defining trait of Mr. Fernández Meyer and his daughter Balbina – contained by caution – a defining characteristic of his wife Marlenys and son Vincent.