Coat of arms of Nunavut

The coat of arms of the territory of Nunavut was granted by a warrant of Roméo LeBlanc, Governor General of Canada, dated 31 March 1999, one day before the territory of Nunavut, Canada, was created. The same document specified the flag of Nunavut.

The Arms of Nunavut
Versions
Adopted1999
CrestOn a wreath argent and azure an iglu affronty argent windowed Or and ensigned by the Royal Crown proper;
TorseArgent and azure (white and blue)
BlazonOr dexter a qulliq sable inflamed gules sinister an inuksuk azure on a chief also azure above five bezants in arc reversed issuant from the lower chief a mullet (Niqirtsuituq) Or
Supportersdexter a caribou sinister a narwhal both proper
Compartmentdexter of land set with Arctic poppies, dwarf fireweed and Arctic heather proper sinister ice floes argent set on barry wavy azure and argent
Mottoᓄᓇᕗᑦ ᓴᙱᓂᕗᑦ
Nunavut Our Strength

Overview

The symbol was designed in collaboration with Inuit elders, leaders, artists, groups, and the general population of the territory. Each symbol was chosen individually from the 800 submissions for the flag and coat of arms that were received. Five draft designs were created in collaboration between the heraldic artist at the Canadian Heraldic Authority and Andrew Qappik, an Inuit artist from Pangnirtung. The shield, which according to the blazon should be presented on a roundel shaped shield rather than the escutcheon shape traditional in European heraldry, is blue and gold, symbolizing the riches of the land. In chief is a representation of the midnight sun and of the North Star, or Niqirtsuituk. Below are a qulliq, a stone lamp representing the warmth of home and community, and an inukshuk (inukhuk, inuksuk), a stone monument serving as a guidepost and a symbol of the territory.

The crest, an igloo (iglu), represents traditional life, survival, and the Nunavut government assembled in the legislature. It is ensigned with a crown representing royal sovereignty.

The supporters, a caribou and narwhal, represent sustenance and natural resources of the land and sea. They stand on a compartment with Arctic poppies, dwarf fireweed, and Arctic heather, alongside an iceberg at sea.

The motto, written in Inuktitut syllabary, is Nunavut Sannginivut (ᓄᓇᕗᑦ ᓴᙱᓂᕗᑦ, or, Our Land, Our Strength).

The letters patent, too, are quite unique, having been presented in English, French, Inuktitut, and Inuinnaqtun.

Blazon

Heraldic blazon describes the coat of arms of Nunavut as:

On a circular shield: Or Dexter a qulliq Sable inflamed Gules sinister an inuksuk Azure on a chief also Azure above five bezants in arc reversed issuant from the lower chief a mullet Niqirtsuituq Or;
And for a Crest: On a wreath Argent and Azure an iglu affronty Argent windowed Or and ensigned by the Royal Crown proper;
and for a Motto: ᓄᓇᕗᑦ ᓴᙱᓂᕗᑦ, meaning "Nunavut Our Strength";
and for Supporters: On a compartment dexter of Land set with Arctic poppies, dwarf fireweed and Arctic heather proper sinister ice floes Argent set on barry wavy Azure and Argent dexter a caribou sinister a narwhal both proper.
gollark: I tried a filtered servo on a fluiduct. It refuses to work.
gollark: How do I get only oxygen out of an electrolyser?
gollark: If yes, which sides will work?
gollark: Can one stick a fission reactor port in the "frame" of a reactor (like with the controller) and have it work?
gollark: *does not like JaVa*

See also
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.