The Maple LeafThe Maple Leaf

Symbol of CanadaSymbol of Canada

SymbolsSymbols• Symbols originated as a means of Symbols originated as a means of

human communication and human communication and identification centuries before printing, identification centuries before printing, photography, and other technologies photography, and other technologies existed. existed.

• In the words of the Department of In the words of the Department of Canadian Heritage, “emblems and Canadian Heritage, “emblems and symbols [are] important for preserving symbols [are] important for preserving traditions and inspiring love of traditions and inspiring love of country.”country.”

SymbolsSymbolsSome symbols of Canada are:Some symbols of Canada are:

1.1. The Canadian Coat of Arms; The Canadian Coat of Arms;

2.2. the maple leaf; the maple leaf;

3.3. Canada’s national colours; Canada’s national colours;

4.4. the maple tree itself; the maple tree itself;

5.5. and the Canadian flag.and the Canadian flag.

The Maple LeafThe Maple Leaf

Great Britain’s Union Jack in 1801Great Britain’s Union Jack in 1801

Great Britain’s Union Jack in 1606Great Britain’s Union Jack in 1606

Flag of EnglandFlag of England

Canadian Red Ensign was first used Canadian Red Ensign was first used in 1870in 1870

Flag of France 1743Flag of France 1743

• Well before the coming of the first European settlers, Canada's Well before the coming of the first European settlers, Canada's aboriginal peoples had discovered the food properties of maple sap, aboriginal peoples had discovered the food properties of maple sap, which they gathered every spring. According to many historians, the which they gathered every spring. According to many historians, the maple leaf began to serve as a Canadian symbol as early as 1700.maple leaf began to serve as a Canadian symbol as early as 1700.

• In 1834, Ludger Duvernay is reported to have proposed the maple leaf In 1834, Ludger Duvernay is reported to have proposed the maple leaf as an emblem of Canada when the Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste was as an emblem of Canada when the Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste was founded on June 24 of that year.founded on June 24 of that year.

• In 1836, In 1836, Le Canadien,Le Canadien, a newspaper published in Lower Canada, a newspaper published in Lower Canada, referred to it as a suitable emblem for Canada.referred to it as a suitable emblem for Canada.

• In August 1860, at a public meeting held in Toronto, the maple leaf In August 1860, at a public meeting held in Toronto, the maple leaf was adopted as the national emblem of Canada for use in the was adopted as the national emblem of Canada for use in the decorations for the Prince of Wales' visit.decorations for the Prince of Wales' visit.

• In 1867, Alexander Muir, a Toronto schoolmaster and poet, composed In 1867, Alexander Muir, a Toronto schoolmaster and poet, composed the song the song The Maple Leaf Forever.The Maple Leaf Forever.

The Maple Leaf ForeverThe Maple Leaf Forever

In Days of yore, From Britain's shore Wolfe the dauntless hero came In Days of yore, From Britain's shore Wolfe the dauntless hero came And planted firm Britannia's flag On Canada's fair domain. Here And planted firm Britannia's flag On Canada's fair domain. Here

may it wave, Our boast, our pride And joined in love together, The may it wave, Our boast, our pride And joined in love together, The thistle, shamrock, rose entwined, The Maple Leaf Forever.thistle, shamrock, rose entwined, The Maple Leaf Forever.

[CHORUS] The Maple Leaf Our Emblem Dear, The Maple Leaf Forever. [CHORUS] The Maple Leaf Our Emblem Dear, The Maple Leaf Forever.

God save our Queen and heaven bless, The Maple Leaf Forever. At God save our Queen and heaven bless, The Maple Leaf Forever. At Queenston Heights and Lundy's Lane Our brave fathers side by Queenston Heights and Lundy's Lane Our brave fathers side by side For freedom's home and loved ones dear, Firmly stood and side For freedom's home and loved ones dear, Firmly stood and

nobly died. And so their rights which they maintained, We swear to nobly died. And so their rights which they maintained, We swear to yeild them never. Our watchword ever more shall be The Maple yeild them never. Our watchword ever more shall be The Maple

Leaf ForeverLeaf Forever

[CHORUS] Our fair Dominion now extends From Cape Race to Nootka [CHORUS] Our fair Dominion now extends From Cape Race to Nootka Sound May peace forever be our lot And plenty a store abound And Sound May peace forever be our lot And plenty a store abound And

may those ties of love be ours Which discord cannot sever And may those ties of love be ours Which discord cannot sever And flourish green for freedom's home The Maple Leaf Forever flourish green for freedom's home The Maple Leaf Forever

[CHORUS] [CHORUS]

The Maple Leaf and the The Maple Leaf and the MilitaryMilitary

In 1914, many In 1914, many Canadian soldiers Canadian soldiers

wore the maple leaf on wore the maple leaf on their military badges, their military badges,

and it was the and it was the dominant symbol dominant symbol

used by many used by many Canadian regiments Canadian regiments serving in the Great serving in the Great War (World War I).War (World War I).

The Maple Leaf and the The Maple Leaf and the MilitaryMilitary

In 1939, at the In 1939, at the beginning of World beginning of World War II, numerous War II, numerous

Canadian troops once Canadian troops once again used the maple again used the maple leaf as a distinctive leaf as a distinctive

emblem, displaying it emblem, displaying it on regimental badges on regimental badges

and Canadian army and Canadian army and naval equipment.and naval equipment.

Red and White: Canada's National Red and White: Canada's National ColoursColours

• History records that in the first crusade, Bohemund I, a Norman lord, History records that in the first crusade, Bohemund I, a Norman lord, had red crosses cut from his mantles and distributed to the 12,000 had red crosses cut from his mantles and distributed to the 12,000 crusaders, who then wore them as a distinctive badge on their crusaders, who then wore them as a distinctive badge on their garments.garments.

• In subsequent crusades, each nation was distinguished by a cross of a In subsequent crusades, each nation was distinguished by a cross of a different colour. France long had a red cross on its banners while different colour. France long had a red cross on its banners while England used a white cross. Time and again in history, red and white England used a white cross. Time and again in history, red and white are found as the colours of France or of England.are found as the colours of France or of England.

Canada’s Coat of ArmsCanada’s Coat of Arms• Red and white were approved Red and white were approved

as Canada's official colours as Canada's official colours in the proclamation of the in the proclamation of the royal arms of Canada in 1921 royal arms of Canada in 1921 by King George V.by King George V.

• In 1957, the colour of the In 1957, the colour of the maple leaves on the shield of maple leaves on the shield of the Royal Arms of Canada the Royal Arms of Canada was changed from green on a was changed from green on a white ground to red on a white ground to red on a white ground in recognition white ground in recognition of Canada's official colours. of Canada's official colours.

Pearson informed the House of Pearson informed the House of Commons that the government Commons that the government

wished to adopt a distinctive wished to adopt a distinctive national flag. The 1967 centennial national flag. The 1967 centennial celebration of Confederation was, celebration of Confederation was,

after all, approaching. As a result, a after all, approaching. As a result, a Senate and House of Commons Senate and House of Commons

Committee was formed and Committee was formed and submissions were called for once submissions were called for once

again.again.

Canada’s FlagCanada’s Flag

In October 1964, after In October 1964, after eliminating various eliminating various

proposals, the committee was proposals, the committee was left with three possible left with three possible

designs -- a Red Ensign with designs -- a Red Ensign with the fleur-de-lis and the Union the fleur-de-lis and the Union Jack, a design incorporating Jack, a design incorporating three red maple leaves, and a three red maple leaves, and a red flag with a single, stylized red flag with a single, stylized

red maple leaf on a white red maple leaf on a white square. (Pearson himself square. (Pearson himself

preferred a design with three preferred a design with three red maple leaves between two red maple leaves between two

blue borders.)blue borders.)

Canada’s FlagCanada’s Flag

Canada’s FlagCanada’s FlagThe committee eventually The committee eventually decided to recommend the decided to recommend the single-leaf design, which single-leaf design, which

was approved by resolution was approved by resolution of the House of Commons of the House of Commons

on December 15, 1964, on December 15, 1964, followed by the Senate on followed by the Senate on December 17, 1964, and December 17, 1964, and

proclaimed by Her Majesty proclaimed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Queen Elizabeth II, Queen

of Canada, to take effect on of Canada, to take effect on February 15, 1965.February 15, 1965.

Canada’s FlagCanada’s Flag

At the raising of the flag in Ottawa, At the raising of the flag in Ottawa, the Honourable Maurice Bourget, the Honourable Maurice Bourget, Speaker of the Senate, said, “The Speaker of the Senate, said, “The flag is the symbol of the nation’s flag is the symbol of the nation’s unity, for it, beyond any doubt, unity, for it, beyond any doubt,

represents all the citizens of Canada represents all the citizens of Canada without distinction of race, without distinction of race,

language, belief, or opinion.”language, belief, or opinion.”

AssignmentAssignment• Think of 6 Canadian SymbolsThink of 6 Canadian Symbols

• Make your own personal version of the Make your own personal version of the Canadian Coat of Arms using at least 4 Canadian Coat of Arms using at least 4 symbols.symbols.