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Virgil, Ontario
Grant of Arms, Supporters, Flag and Badge
November 15, 2013
Vol. VI, p. 277
Arms of The Corporation of the Town of Niagara-on-the-LakeBlazonGules on a bend Azure fimbriated Argent between two coronets erablé, the mace of the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada tempore 1792 Or its cap Gules; SymbolismThe colours refer to the Royal Union Flag. The mace, a gilt wood object dating from 1792, indicates that Niagara-on-the-Lake, known then as Newark, was the first capital of the province of Upper Canada. The maple leaf coronets further this allusion and indicate the town’s Canadian identity. |
CrestBlazonIssuant from trees Brock’s Monument proper; SymbolismBrock’s Monument is an important local landmark, commemorating the Battle of Queenston Heights in 1812. |
MottoBlazonFRUITFUL IN UNITY; SymbolismThis existing town motto alludes to the local fruit industry. |
SupportersBlazonTwo lions Or, that to the dexter gorged of a ribbon Vert suspended therefrom a gorget Argent and supporting a staff proper flying therefrom the Royal Union Flag of 1707, that to the sinister gorged of a ribbon Vert suspended therefrom a medal Argent and supporting a staff proper flying therefrom the Flag of The Corporation of the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, both standing on a grassy mount set with peaches and grapevines fructed proper issuant from three bars wavy Azure, Argent and Azure; SymbolismLions were used with the town’s previous arms adopted c. 1970. The green colour of the ribbons around their necks is associated with Butler’s Rangers, who settled in the Niagara area following the American Revolutionary War. Gorgets were worn by British Army officers until 1830, and the one on the lion thus alludes to the regiment’s leader, Colonel John Butler, the founder of the town. The other lion wears a medal as a reference to the medals bearing the King’s effigy given to First Nations chiefs in recognition of their alliance with the Crown, and acknowledges the support of the First Nations during the War of 1812, which helped to build a peaceful foundation in the area for the years to follow. The Royal Union Flag of 1707 is used as a symbol of Loyalist heritage and recalls the United Empire Loyalists who settled what is now Niagara-on-the-Lake. The stylized water represents Lake Ontario and the Niagara River, and the base pays tribute to the importance of the local fruit and wine industries. |
Flag of The Corporation of the Town of Niagara-on-the-LakeBlazonAzure the Arms in fly, a canton of the Royal Union Flag of 1707; SymbolismThe symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record. |
Badge of The Corporation of the Town of Niagara-on-the-LakeBlazonAn oval Gules charged with a pale Azure fimbriated Argent and bearing the mace of the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada tempore 1792 Or its cap Gules, all environed by maple leaves Or; SymbolismThe symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record. |
BackgroundCanada Gazette InformationThe announcement of the letters patent was made on March 22, 2014 in Volume 148, page 656 of the Canada Gazette.  |
Additional InformationCreator(s)Original concept of Bruce Patterson, Deputy Chief Herald of Canada, and Ralph Spence, Albion Herald Extraordinary, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority. PainterDebra MacGarvie CalligrapherShirley Mangione Recipient TypeCivil Institution
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