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Chelsea, Quebec
Grant of Arms and Flag, with differences to Marie-Alexandre Houtart-Massé and William Houtart-Massé
February 20, 2014
Vol. VI, p. 329
Arms of Alain MasséBlazonChequy of nine Argent and Azure in fess point a mullet Purpure; SymbolismThe nine squares symbolize the nine Muses of Antiquity, protectresses of the arts, letters and sciences, and by extension Mr. Massé’s classical and philosophical studies, as well as his passion for the arts and his career in museology. The chessboard pattern, which resembles a compartmentalized storage drawer viewed from above, refers to his passion for collecting and for games, as well as his sense of organization and of strategy. It also honours Marcel Duchamp, a multidisciplinary 20th-century artist and Mr. Massé’s mentor, who was also a chess champion. The squares also represent giant pixels, and thus his career in cybermuseology and electronic media. The star, a symbol of the sky, of nature and of heaven, represents for Mr. Massé the deceased members of his immediate family. |
CrestBlazonA pileated woodpecker close proper holding in its beak a key Or and perched on the Pont des Arts of Paris proper; SymbolismThe woodpecker, a majestic and colourful bird, is found in great numbers near Mr. Massé’s house, and is used here to refer to his love of nature. For Mr. Massé, it also embodies the memory of his late mother. The key represents the key of knowledge and reflects Mr. Massé’s career in museology, specifically with Idéclic, a cybermuseology firm he founded whose mission is to showcase tangible and intangible heritage through new technologies. The key is also present in the coat of arms of Quebec City, his birthplace. The Pont des Arts, a bridge in Paris, represents his ties with France and the “City of Light”, and symbolizes for Mr. Massé an anchorage point in the Old World. |
MottoBlazonLA VIE EST UN ORACLE QUE LE VENT SOUFFLE; SymbolismThis phrase means “Life is an oracle blown by the wind”. |
Flag of Alain MasséBlazonA banner of the Arms; SymbolismThe symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record. |
Differenced Arms for Marie-Alexandre Houtart Massé, daugther of Alain MasséBlazonThe Arms of Alain Massé debruised of a pine cone Purpure in dexter chief and sinister base; This individual will inherit the Arms of the Recipient following his death; SymbolismThe pine cone represents a seed, and thus her creative potential as an artist. |
Differenced Arms for William Houtart-Massé, son of Alain MasséBlazonThe Arms of Alain Massé debruised of a golpe charged with a bee Or in dexter chief and sinister base; SymbolismThe disc evokes a Roman coin. With the bee, it symbolizes his career as a businessman. |
BackgroundCanada Gazette InformationThe announcement of the letters patent was made on October 25, 2014 in Volume 148, page 2733 of the Canada Gazette.   |
Additional InformationCreator(s)Original concept of Manon Labelle, Miramichi Herald, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority. PainterIlona Jurkiewicz CalligrapherDoris Wionzek Recipient TypeIndividual |