Nova Scotia Coat of Arms

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 of Great Britain. It was bestowed on the colony of Nova Scotia , the first colony on mainland Canada , in 1625 by King Charles I. When Nova Scotia joined the Canadian Confederation in 1867 , the coat of arms had been forgotten and replaced by a new one. It showed a salmon on a blue ribbon between three thistles on a gold background. The old coat of arms was later rediscovered and finally reintroduced in 1929.

On the coat of arms is a blue St. Andrew's cross (Engl. Saltire ) displayed on a white background, what the Flag of Scotland corresponds with colors reversed. The coat of arms of Scotland is superior to the cross , in gold with a red double lily border a soaring red lion .

The gold helmet above the coat of arms is a symbol of Nova Scotia's sovereignty within the Canadian Confederation. The helmet cover and bead are both in blue and white. The helmet gem consists of two hands (one of them in an iron glove), which together hold a thistle and a laurel . The laurel was not included on the original coat of arms and was added when it was reintroduced.

Shield holders are a chained unicorn (shield holder of the Scottish coat of arms) and an Indian from the Mi'kmaq tribe with feather headdress and an arrow in hand. In the blazon of the 17th century, the Indian was still called savage ("savage").

The pedestal consists of heather plants , more precisely Epigaea repens . In contrast to all other provincial coats of arms, the banner with the motto is placed above the helmet: Munit haec et altera vincit (“One defended and the other conquered”) refers to the two reaching hands.

Web links

• Description of the coat of arms of Nova Scotia (Engl.)