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:
“The national distrust of the contemplative temperament arises less from an innate Philistinism than from a suspicion of anything that cannot be counted, stuffed, framed or mounted over the fireplace in the den.”
—Lewis H. Lapham (b. 1935)
“Luckless is the country in which the symbols of procreation are the objects of shame, while the agents of destruction are honored! And yet you call that member your pudendum, or shameful part, as if there were anything more glorious than creating life, or anything more atrocious than taking it away.”
—Savinien Cyrano De Bergerac (1619–1655)