Coat of arms of Nova Scotia

The coat of arms of Nova Scotia is the oldest coat of arms of a Canadian province and the oldest British coat of arms outside Great Britain. It was granted in 1625 by King Charles I of the colony of Nova Scotia, the first colony on the Canadian mainland. As Nova Scotia in 1867 the Canadian Confederation joined, the coat of arms had been forgotten and replaced by a new one. It showed a salmon on a blue band between three thistles on a golden background. The old coat of arms was later rediscovered and finally introduced in 1929 again.

On the shield a blue St. Andrew's cross (English saltire ) is shown on a white background, corresponding to the Flag of Scotland with colors reversed. The parent of the cross, the emblem of Scotland, in gold with a red double- lilies board is a rising red lion.

The golden helmet over the shield is a symbol of the sovereignty of Nova Scotia within the Canadian Confederation. Mantling and Helmwulst are both in blue and white. The crest consists of two hands (one of them in an iron glove ), which together hold a thistle and a bay. The laurel was not included on the original coat of arms and has been supplemented with the re-introduction.

Supporters are a chained unicorn ( plate holder of the Scottish coat of arms ) and an Indian from the tribe of Mi'kmaq with feathers and an arrow in his hand. The blazon of the 17th century, the Indian was still referred to as savage ( " Wilder" ).

The pedestal consists of ericaceous, more Epigaea repens. The banner with the motto is placed in contrast to all other provincial coat of arms above the crest: haec et altera vincit MUNIT ( " One defends and the other conquers " ) refers to the two connecting hands.