Arms of John Alexander Macdonald
Arms of John Alexander Macdonald
Blazon
Quarterly: first, Argent a lion rampant Gules armed and langued Azure; second, Or a dexter hand couped fessways proper holding a cross-crosslet fitchée Azure; third, Or a lymphad sails furled and oars in action Sable flagged Gules; fourth, barry wavy of six Argent and Azure a salmon naiant proper; overall on a fess Vert a covered cup between two sprigs of three maple leaves Or;
Symbolism
The four quarters are the arms of the chief of Macdonald of Sleat, which Sir John A. Macdonald used during his lifetime; for example, on his bookplate. The additional fess contains two sprigs of maple leaves to indicate his Canadian and Ontarian identity, and a covered cup that honours his mother’s Scottish family of Shaw, whose arms bear such cups.
Crest of John Alexander Macdonald
Blazon
A dexter forearm couped palewise proper the hand holding a balance fesswise together with a sprig of three maple leaves Or;
Symbolism
The hand is a traditional element of a Macdonald crest and was used by Sir John during his lifetime. The maple leaves symbolize his Canadian identity. The scales represent his profession as a lawyer.
Motto of John Alexander Macdonald
Blazon
PER AQUAM ET TERRAM;
Symbolism
This Latin phrase means “By sea and land”.
