Canadian Heraldic Authority

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Sincere good wishes to the Canadian Heraldic Authority (Autorité Héraldique du Canada) as they celebrate their 35th anniversary!

In 1988 the Queen of Canada issued letters patent granting permission for the Governor General “to exercise or provide for the exercise of all powers and authorities lawfully belonging to Us as Queen of Canada in respect of the granting of armorial bearings in Canada”. On June 4, 1988 Governor General Jeanne Sauvé authorized the creation of the CHA.

4 thoughts on “Canadian Heraldic Authority”

  1. Geoffrey Gamble's avatarGeoffrey Gamble

    I wish the US had a comparable authority. The Government could start with the Army’s Heraldry Office and amplify it. It could easily be self-supporting and even be a profitable entity ( unlike Amtrak and the US Postal Service). As for statutory authority, the Second Amendment right to bear arms should suffice.

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  2. Michael Dredge's avatarMichael Dredge

    Is it correct to chop up the support animals like that m? Whatever, it looks completely strange. (Polar bear and some bird, I imagine: why not leave them “whole” and one in each side?)

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    1. guyselvester's avatarguyselvester Post author

      It is a perfectly usual heraldic custom to amalgamate beasts and create demi-beasts (ex. the opinicus, the gryphon, etc.). Depicting two separate beasts one on either side would destroy the symmetry of the achievement and look rather pedestrian.

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      1. Michael Dredge's avatarMichael Dredge

        Thanks for the informative explanation – especially the indigenous context.
        Michael

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