Name/Title
UCBC Coat of ArmsEntry/Object ID
2020.01.05Description
Sculpture
This image shows the carved wood Coat of Arms of The Union Club of British Columbia with its Latin motto, "IN UNITATE ET FORTITUDINE AMICITIA", meaning "Friendship in unity and strength" commissioned by the Union Club.
See 2023.04.09 Canadian Heraldic Authority Certificate - Symbolism of Armorial Bearings of the Union Club of B.C.
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Founded in 1879, the Union Club is a landmark institution in the heart of downtown Victoria., B.C., whose members represent a legacy of leadership and who have been at the heart of the business, social and cultural life of Victoria and beyond from its early beginnings. The current Union Club building (third venue) was recognized as nationally significant in 1995 by the joint federal, provincial and territorial administered registry, Canada’s Historic Places. And in 2017, The Union Club of British Columbia was declared a National Historic Site by the Government of Canada. The Union Club, completed in 1913, earned the prestigious status for its important early history and outstanding architecture of Beaux-Arts Italian Renaissance Revival Style.Type of Sculpture
ReliefArtwork Details
Medium
Carved woodSubject
Coat of Arms of The Union Club of British ColumbiaSubject Place
Region
Pacific NorthwestContinent
North AmericaContext
A coat of arms is traditionally unique to a person, family, state, organization, school or corporation. Originally appearing on shields or flags, coats of arms were once used as a way of distinguishing one knight from another on a battlefield. There are strict formal rules governing which colors and symbols are depicted on coats of arms and how they are arranged. The coat of arms on an escutcheon or shield forms the central element of the full heraldic achievement, or display, of all the components to which the bearer of a coat of arms is entitled, which consists of a shield, supporters, a crest, and a motto.
The Coat of Arms was commissioned by the Union Club in 2019.
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ARMS OF THE UNION CLUB OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
- Blazon
Azure the keystone of the facade of the Union Club of British Columbia Argent environed by maple leaves Or, on a chief Argent three bars wavy Azure overall a sun in splendour issuant Or;
- Symbolism
The keystone is an architectural feature found at the apex of the arches above the club’s main entrance and its flanking windows. As its purpose is to hold a structure together, it represents unity, and thus the club’s name. The maple leaves are a symbol of Canada. The U shape of the wreath alludes to the word “union”. The sun and waves are derived from the arms of British Columbia and commemorate the early history of the club when the province used a coat of arms with these elements at the top of the shield.
CREST
- Blazon
Issuant from a coronet of maple leaves Or and dogwood flowers, the rim jeweled proper, a lion’s gamb Or grasping a sword in its scabbard Azure garnished Or;
-Symbolism
The lion’s arm alludes to the lion crest of the armorial bearings of British Columbia. The sword represents Excalibur, a symbol of office for the president of the club. The coronet of maple leaves and dogwood flowers – the provincial floral emblem of British Columbia – symbolize the 1871 union of the Crown Colony of British Columbia with the Dominion of Canada, the political goal shared by the founders of the Union Club of British Columbia. The coronet also refers to the fact that all Lieutenant Governors of British Columbia have been members of the club.
SUPPORTERS
- Blazon
Dexter a wapiti, sinister a cougar each gorged of a collar of laurel leaves and standing on a rocky mount set with Douglas fir branches proper and a bar wavy Argent charged with a barrulet wavy Azure;
- Symbolism
The wapiti and cougar are notable British Columbia animals, the wapiti being a supporter of the provincial arms. The rocky base refers to nearby mountains, and the Douglas fir branches refer to the local forests. The waves allude to the club’s location close to Victoria harbour.
Motto
- Blazon
IN UNITATE ET FORTITUDINE AMICITIA;
- Symbolism
This Latin phrase means “Friendship in unity and strength”.
Extract from The Public Register of Arms, Flags, and Badges of Canada for The Union Club of British Columbia. Canadian Heraldic Authority, The Governor General of Canada.Made/Created
Artist Information
Artist
Chris Mackie, LRHSCRole
DesignerArtist
UnknownRole
SculptorDate made
2019Time Period
21st CenturyNotes
Union Club of British Columbia, Victoria, British Columbia Canada
Grant of Arms, Supporters, Flag and Badge, April 15, 2016, Vol. VI, p. 601
The announcement of the Letters patent was made on October 22, 2016 in Volume 150, page 3150 of the Canada Gazette.
In file: Printout on heraldic elements for the UCBC Coat of Arms, including the blazon and symbolism for each. https://www.gg.ca/en/heraldry/public-register/project/2817Acquisition
Acquisition Method
PurchaseDate
2019Notes
In file:
Printout on heraldic elements for the UCBC Coat of Arms, including the blazon and symbolism for each. https://www.gg.ca/en/heraldry/public-register/project/2817
Invoice for production of carved wood Coat of Arms.Relationships
Related Entries
Notes
2020.01.05 UCBC Coat of Arms
2023.04.09 Canadian Heraldic Authority Certificate - Symbolism of Armorial Bearings of the Union Club of B.C.