Arms of Canada
The coat of arms of Canada contains many elements of the coat of arms of the United Kingdom; except the frequently emerging maple leaves there are no symbols referring only to Canada, except British on the combination of symbols Bourbon lilies. The similarity of the two coat of arms - it is believed that no other two countries have such similar coat of arms - is, since the Canadian coat of arms from 1904, were shown in the symbols of the various Canadian provinces, was replaced in 1921 by George V, because the many provinces of the coat of arms made confusing.
As with the British model of the shield carries the state symbols of England ( three golden leopards on a red background ), Scotland ( a red lion on a gold field surrounded by red " Lily double bar" ) and Ireland ( golden harp on a blue background). Here, too, a lion ( for England) and a unicorn ( for Scotland) the shield.
But there are also some differences visible. Unlike the British coat of arms, shield -bearing lion is not crowned and the English lion on the sign are not present twice - instead, refer to the label in addition the lilies of the kingdom of France ( as a symbol of the French roots of Canada ) and red maple leaves - the only canada specific symbol in the crest, which is used for this purpose more often.
The shield is surrounded by a band called " desiderantes meliorem patriam ", bears the Latin inscription. This means in German " they desire a better country " or " a better country wishing ", or "those who desire a better country " and is the motto of the Order of Canada.
The two holding coats of arms bear flags - similar to the Scottish version of the British royal coat of arms - but here the Union Jack and the lilies of the Bourbon kings of France.
The helmet on the coat of arms is like the British one Spangenhelm, but bears no crown. The crowned lion standing in the English version of the British coat of arms on the crown, stands here as Helmzier directly on the helmet and holding in his paw a red maple leaf. Even more maple leaves - this time in red and white - make the helmet cover, which, although often recalls since the Baroque period to plants that are never clearly but botanically determined. So this helmet cover is a heraldic novelty that was added in 1994 to the coat of arms.
The St. Edward's crown - the most important among the many crowns of the Canadian and British monarchs - hovering over the crest. The Latin motto under the coat of arms is " a mari usque ad mare", called in German " from sea to sea " and was derived from Psalm 72.8 (Ps 72.8 EU).
The patch of grass under the motto, which is used in the British coat of arms, is here replaced by much symbolträchtigere plants - there are again symbols of England ( Tudor Rose), Scotland ( thistle ), France ( Lily) and Ireland ( shamrock ). These plants (except for the lily) are indeed seen at the British coat of arms also, but usually only as a small multi-colored spots on the banner.
The coat of arms of Canada is seen in modified form on the version of the Royal Standard, the flag of the British Queen used in Canada.