british columbia

The shield of the province of British Columbia was originally granted by King Edward VII in 1906; the remaining elements of the Coat of Arms were subsequently granted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on October 15, 1987. A complete history is available here.

It consists of several elements that hold historical, geographical and cultural significance for British Columbia:

The Union Jack on the shield symbolizes our colonial origins. Our geographic location between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains is represented by the wavy blue and silver bars and the setting sun.
The supporters, the stag and the ram, represent the former colonies of Vancouver Island and British Columbia.
The royal crest (the crowned lion standing on the crown), wears a collar of dogwood flowers, and sits atop the golden helmet of sovereignty.
The golden helmet of sovereignty is placed between the shield and the crest to mark B.C.’s co-sovereign status in Confederation
Red and white mantling represent Canada’s national colours

Our provincial flower, the dogwood, appears a second time entwining the Latin motto “Splendor Sine Occasu” which translates as Splendour without diminishment.