National symbols of Canada

'Oh Canada we stand on guard for thee' Stained Glass, Yeo Hall, Royal Military College of Canada features Arms of Canada, arms of the Canadian Provinces, Maple Leaf, (1965)

National symbols of Canada are the symbols that are used in Canada and abroad to represent the country and its people. Prominently, the use of the maple leaf as a Canadian symbol dates back to the early 18th century, and is depicted on its current and previous flags, the penny, and on the coat of arms (or royal arms).

The Crown symbolizes the Canadian monarchy, and appears on the coat of arms (used by parliamentarians and government ministries), the flag of the Governor General, the coats of arms of many provinces and territories; the badges of several federal departments, the Canadian Forces, Royal Military College of Canada, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), many regiments, and other police forces; on buildings, as well as some highway signs and licence plates. Also, the Queen's image appears in Canadian government buildings, military installations and schools; and on Canadian stamps, $20 bank notes, and all coins.

• 

  Royal Military College of Canada Arms on Memorial Arch

Common symbols

The maple leaf is the characteristic leaf of the maple tree, and is an important national symbol of Canada.

Animals

Canada is known for its vast forests and mountain ranges and the animals that reside within them, such as moose, beaver, caribou, polar bears, grizzly bears, geese, lynx, and the common loon. The beaver's emblematic status originated from the fact much of Canada's early economic history was tied to the fur trade in beaver fur, used to make hats fashionable in Europe. Another reason for the beaver's status in Canadian heraldry is that it is symbolic of industry, due to its habit of constructing dams and lodges. Beavers appear on the reverse of Canadian nickels (5 cent piece).

The Canadian horse is an official Canadian symbol and commonly appears in images with the Mounties. The Officer Cadets of the Royal Military College of Canada are normally represented in their distinctive scarlet uniform with a ceremonial sword or swagger stick.

Sports

Additional national symbols include the RCMP, Parliament Buildings and anything pertaining to ice hockey, Canada's official winter sport, and lacrosse, Canada's official summer sport, which are often used as national symbols of unity and pride.

Products

Products made from the country's natural resources that are unique or easily available to the country, such as bitumen, are also associated with Canadian identity.

In recent years, other symbols have become a source of pride: notably, the I Am Canadian campaign by Molson beer, most notably the commercial featuring Joe Canadian, infused domestically-brewed beer with nationalism; ironic, as Molson later merged with the American beer company, Coors. The Canadian fashion retailer Roots sells a variety of merchandise designed to evoke nationalistic sentiment.

List of symbols

Symbol	image	Declared
Royal Standard		September 1961
National flag		February 15, 1965
Royal Union Flag		February 15, 1965
Royal Arms		November 21, 1921
Great Seal		1952
Royal cypher		1952
Royal Anthem	"God Save the Queen"	1867 (song dates to 1744)
National anthem	"O Canada"	July 1, 1980 (song dates to 1880)
Motto	A Mari Usque Ad Mare (From sea to sea)	November 21, 1921
National colours	Red White	November 21, 1921
Tree	Maple	1996
Floral emblem	Maple leaf	c. 1860
Animal	Beaver	1975
	Canadian horse	2002
National sport	Lacrosse (summer)	May 12, 1994
	Ice hockey (winter)	May 12, 1994
Tartan	Maple Leaf Tartan	March 9, 2011

See also

• List of Canadian provincial and territorial symbols
• List of Canadian flags
• Canadian royal symbols

References

• Department of Canadian Heritage (2002). Symbols of Canada. Ottawa, ON: Queen's Printer for Canada. ISBN 0-660-18615-2. http://www.pch.gc.ca/progs/cpsc-ccsp/sc-cs/index_e.cfm. 
• Ross, David; Hook, Richard (1988). The Royal Canadian Mounted Police 1873-1987. London: Osprey. ISBN 0-85045-834-X. 
• Hutchins, Donna; Hutchins, Nigel (2006). The Maple Leaf Forever: A Celebration of Canadian Symbols. Erin: The Boston Mills Press. ISBN 978-1550464740. 

External links

• Canadian Heritage: The Symbols of Canada