Coat of arms of Alberta

The coat of arms of Alberta, the heraldic symbol representing the Canadian province of Alberta, contains symbols reflecting Alberta's English heritage along with local symbols. The upper part of the shield features the red cross of Saint George. The lower portion of the shield depicts the Rocky Mountains, grass prairies, and wheat fields – representing Alberta's landscape.

Arms of Alberta
Versions
Escutcheon-only
For use by the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta
Armiger	Charles III in Right of Alberta
Adopted	1907, augmented 1980, 2008
Crest	Upon a Helm with a Wreath Argent and Gules a Beaver couchant upholding on its back the Royal Crown both proper.
Shield	Azure, in front of a range of snow mountains proper a range of hills Vert, in base a wheat field surmounted by a prairie both also proper, on a chief Argent a St. George's cross.
Supporters	On the dexter side a Lion Or armed and langued Gules and on the sinister side a Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) proper.
Compartment	Compartment : Comprising a grassy mount with the Floral Emblem of the Said Province of Alberta, the Wild Rose (Rosa acicularis), growing therefrom proper.
Motto	FORTIS ET LIBER Strong and Free

A royal warrant of King Edward VII granted the original arms, consisting of only the shield, on 30 May 1907.^[1] The arms were further augmented with supporters, a crest, and motto, by royal warrant of Queen Elizabeth II on 30 July 1980.

The shield, on a plain blue field, features in Alberta's provincial flag.

History

On 30 July 1980, Queen Elizabeth II augmented the armorial bearings by Royal Warrant with a crest, supporters, and a motto.^[1] The helmet under the crest was changed from a steel helmet to a gold royal helmet on 15 January 2008.^[2][3]

Symbolism

Crest

The crest sits above the shield and consists of a royal helmet crowned with a red and silver wreath, on top of which sits a beaver, resting on top of which is St Edward's Crown. White and red are the official national colours of Canada, and the beaver is the official animal of Canada.

Shield

The shield represents the natural resources and beauty of the varied Alberta landscape: the Rocky Mountains and their foothills, the grass prairies, and the cultivated wheat fields. St George's Cross is an allusion to the arms of the Hudson's Bay Company, which once controlled what is now Alberta.

Compartment

The compartment or base is a grassy mount with wild roses, the official flower of Alberta.

Supporters

The supporters sit on either side of the shield and consist of a golden lion on the left (representing power) and a pronghorn on the right (representing Alberta's natural resources). Neither of these is the official animal of Alberta (which is the bighorn sheep).

Motto

Fortis et Liber, meaning "strong and free", a phrase from the English lyrics of "O Canada".

See also

• Symbols of Alberta
• Canadian heraldry
• National symbols of Canada
• List of Canadian provincial and territorial symbols
• Heraldry

References

1. "Ceremonial and Canadian Symbols Promotion – Alberta". Canadian Heritage. Archived from the original on 11 April 2010. Retrieved 20 November 2008.
2. Government of Alberta (6 June 2010). "The Government of Alberta Corporate Identity Manual" (PDF). p. 43. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 4 October 2010.
3. "The Public Register of Arms, Flags and Badges of Canada – Heraldry". Retrieved 4 October 2010.

External links

• Government of Alberta, Community Development: Armorial Bearings