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Victoria, British Columbia
Grant of Arms, Supporters, Flag and Badge
April 15, 2016
Vol. VI, p. 601
Arms of the Union Club of British ColumbiaBlazonAzure the keystone of the facade of the Union Club of British Columbia Argent environed by maple leaves Or, on a chief Argent three bars wavy Azure overall a sun in splendour issuant Or; SymbolismThe keystone is an architectural feature found at the apex of the arches above the club’s main entrance and its flanking windows. As its purpose is to hold a structure together, it represents unity, and thus the club’s name. The maple leaves are a symbol of Canada. The U shape of the wreath alludes to the word “union”. The sun and waves are derived from the arms of British Columbia and commemorate the early history of the club when the province used a coat of arms with these elements at the top of the shield. |
CrestBlazonIssuant from a coronet of maple leaves Or and dogwood flowers, the rim jewelled proper, a lion’s gamb Or grasping a sword in its scabbard Azure garnished Or; SymbolismThe lion’s arm alludes to the lion crest of the armorial bearings of British Columbia. The sword represents Excalibur, a symbol of office for the president of the club. The coronet of maple leaves and dogwood flowers – the provincial floral emblem of British Columbia – symbolize the 1871 union of the Crown Colony of British Columbia with the Dominion of Canada, the political goal shared by the founders of the Union Club of British Columbia. The coronet also refers to the fact that all Lieutenant Governors of British Columbia have been members of the club. |
MottoBlazonIN UNITATE ET FORTITUDINE AMICITIA; SymbolismThis Latin phrase means “Friendship in unity and strength”. |
SupportersBlazonDexter a wapiti, sinister a cougar each gorged of a collar of laurel leaves and standing on a rocky mount set with Douglas fir branches proper and a bar wavy Argent charged with a barrulet wavy Azure; SymbolismThe wapiti and cougar are notable British Columbia animals, the wapiti being a supporter of the provincial arms. The rocky base refers to nearby mountains, and the Douglas fir branches refer to the local forests. The waves allude to the club’s location close to Victoria harbour. |
Flag of the Union Club of British ColumbiaBlazonAzure the Badge; SymbolismThe symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record. |
Badge of the Union Club of British ColumbiaBlazonThe keystone of the facade of the Union Club of British Columbia Argent its letters Azure; 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 October 22, 2016 in Volume 150, page 3150 of the Canada Gazette.  |
Additional InformationCreator(s)Original concept of Christopher Mackie, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority. PainterDebra MacGarvie CalligrapherMyriam Chesseboeuf Recipient TypeCivil Institution
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