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Hull, Quebec
Grant of Arms
May 28, 1992
Vol. II, p. 153
Arms of Auguste Georges VachonBlazonSable a triple-towered castle Or windows Gules portculis shut Sable flaming Gules in chief two suns Or; SymbolismThe gold suns set against a black background symbolize the quest for wisdom and truth in the sometimes dark times in which we live. In universal terms, this can be seen in the eternal combat between good and evil, between positive and negative – a battle that has confronted man since his existence. The three-towered castle is from the arms of the former province of Poitou, inhabited by Mr. Vachon's ancestor Paul Vachon, a notary by profession and mason by trade. The castle's enflamed gate or portcullis symbolizes the instrument of torture used on St. Lawrence: a gridiron propped above a bed of burning coals on which he was martyred. This gridiron refers to the badge and title of Saint-Laurent Herald held by Auguste Vachon from 1988 to 2000. |
CrestBlazonA demi bull Gules accorné unguled ringed gorged of oak leaves and belled all Or holding in its dexter hoof a magnifying glass proper rim and handle Sable; SymbolismThe steer (vache in French) is an allusion to the name Vachon. The cowbell reinforces this reference. The wreath of oak leaves around the steer's neck refers to the family name of his wife, Gornescu, from the Romanian gorun, denoting a variety of oak. The magnifying glass represents 21 years of employment at the National Archives of Canada and Mr. Vachon's passion for detailed research. |
MottoBlazonASPICE PERSPICUE; SymbolismASPICE PERSPICUE, meaning "To see clearly" in Latin, refers to the light in the darkness and is an invitation to see clearly before acting in complex and difficult situations. |
BackgroundCanada Gazette InformationThe announcement of the letters patent was made on June 26, 1993 in Volume 127, page 2076 of the Canada Gazette.   |
Additional InformationCreator(s)Original concept of Auguste Vachon, Saint-Laurent Herald, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority. PainterCathy Bursey-Sabourin CalligrapherNancy Ellis Recipient TypeIndividual |