Canadian Symbols

A national symbol can be an object, an event or a person that has special meaning for Canadians.

For 400 years, the Crown has been a symbol of the Canadian state.

Since Confederation in 1867, during Queen Victoria's reign, Canada has been a constitutional monarchy in its own right.

The Crown is a symbol of government. This includes Parliament, the legislatures, the courts, the police and the Canadian Forces.

Canada's new flag was raised for the first time in 1965.

The flag's red-white-red design comes from the flag of the Royal Military College in Kingston, which was founded in 1876.

Red and white have been Canada's national colours since 1921. They were colours of France and England from the Middle Ages.

The Union Jack is Canada's official Royal Flag.

The Canadian Red Ensign was used as Canada's flag for about 100 years.

The maple leaf is the symbol of Canada that people know best.

French-Canadians took up the maple leaf as a symbol in the 1700s. It has been on Canadian uniforms since the 1850s and is carved on the gravestones of fallen soldiers.

The fleur-de-lys (lily flower) is said to have been taken up by the French king in 496. For over 1,000 years it was the symbol of French royalty, including in New France.

In 1948 Quebec adopted its own flag, which is based on the cross and the fleur-de-lys.

After the First World War, as a sign of national pride, Canada adopted a coat of arms and the motto A Mari Usque Ad Mare. This is Latin for "from sea to sea".

The coat of arms shows symbols of England, France, Scotland and Ireland, plus red maple leaves.

The Parliament Buildings reflect French, English and Aboriginal traditions and the Gothic Revival style of Queen Victoria's time. They were finished in the 1860s.

A fire destroyed the Centre Block by accident in 1916, and it was rebuilt in 1922. Only the Library survives from the original building.

The Peace Tower was finished in 1927 to remember the First World War. Inside, the Memorial Chamber holds the Books of Remembrance with the names of those who died serving Canada.

Hockey is the sport Canadians most like to watch, and it is seen as the national winter sport.

National Hockey League teams compete for the Stanley Cup. Lord Stanley, the Governor General, gave the cup in 1892.

The Clarkson Cup is the prize for women's hockey. Governor General Adrienne Clarkson created it in 2005.

Lacrosse is Canada's official summer sport. It is an ancient game first played by Aboriginal people.

Centuries ago the Hudson's Bay Company took the beaver as its symbol.

The beaver appears on the five-cent coin and on the coats of arms of Saskatchewan, Alberta, Montreal and Toronto.

Canada has two official languages, English and French. Both are important symbols of identity.

Parliament passed the Official Languages Act in 1969. One of its goals is equality between English and French in Parliament and the Government of Canada.

O Canada was first sung in Québec City in 1880. It was proclaimed as Canada's National Anthem in 1980.

The Royal Anthem, "God Save the King (or Queen)", can be played or sung at any event where Canadians want to honour the Sovereign.

Canada created its own honours system in 1967, Confederation's 100th anniversary, starting with the Order of Canada.

The Victoria Cross (V.C.) is the highest honour a Canadian can receive. It is given for the most outstanding bravery or self-sacrifice in the presence of the enemy.

Alexander Roberts Dunn was the first Canadian to win the Victoria Cross. He served in the Charge of the Light Brigade in the Crimean War (1854).

Able Seaman William Hall of Horton, Nova Scotia, was the first black man to receive the V.C., for his part in the Siege of Lucknow in 1857.

Canada Day falls on July 1 each year.

Remembrance Day is on November 11.

Victoria Day, for the Sovereign's birthday, is the Monday before May 25.