National Symbols
The four flora designs found upon the shield are themselves each a traditional national symbols in their own standing, alluding to a specific historical device used by a state or nation.
| A fleur de lys. | The Red Rose of Lancaster. | A trefoil or shamrock. | A thistle. |
The fleur de lys was long used by the French Royal Houses, such as the House of Bourbon, in their coat of arms and was found upon the national flag of the French during the time Montreal was founded, and was also used as a mark of honour or favour by the King of France. The first European settlers in possession of the Island of Montreal hailed from France, and thus are represented by this symbol.
The Red Rose of Lancaster was used as a symbol of the English Royal House of Lancaster, and has become a symbol of the English people as well.
Traditionally known as a trefoil, the shamrock was a symbol to early Irish Christians of the trinity, is has endured to become a symbol of the Irish people.
Found in various folklore of the Scots since Roman times, the thistle has also been long used in the compartment of the Scottish royal coat of arms, and has been symbolic of the Scottish people long before heraldry.
Read more about this topic: Coat Of Arms Of Montreal
Famous quotes containing the words national and/or symbols:
“As one digs deeper into the national character of the Americans, one sees that they have sought the value of everything in this world only in the answer to this single question: how much money will it bring in?”
—Alexis de Tocqueville (1805–1859)
“The use of symbols has a certain power of emancipation and exhilaration for all men. We seem to be touched by a wand, which makes us dance and run about happily, like children. We are like persons who come out of a cave or cellar into the open air. This is the effect on us of tropes, fables, oracles, and all poetic forms. Poets are thus liberating gods.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)