Canadian Symbols Flashcards

The Canadian coat of arms features a crest above the shield. What animal is depicted in that crest, and what is it holding?

Answer: A crowned lion holding a red maple leaf

The crest of the Canadian coat of arms features a crowned lion standing on a wreath of red and white, holding a red maple leaf in its right forepaw. This is distinct from the shield below it, which contains the quarterings representing England, Scotland, Ireland, and France.

Canada's national motto, 'A Mari Usque Ad Mare,' appears on the coat of arms. Which biblical book is this phrase drawn from?

Answer: Psalm 72

The motto 'A Mari Usque Ad Mare' (meaning 'From Sea to Sea') is drawn from Psalm 72:8 in the Bible: 'He shall have dominion also from sea to sea.' It was adopted as Canada's official motto in 1921.

Which of the following statements about the Maple Leaf flag is accurate regarding its official adoption process?

Answer: It was chosen by a parliamentary committee after a public design competition and officially adopted in February 1965

The Maple Leaf flag was chosen through a parliamentary committee that evaluated submissions after a national design competition. Parliament voted to adopt it, and it was officially proclaimed on February 15, 1965 — now celebrated as National Flag of Canada Day. It replaced the Canadian Red Ensign but was NOT adopted by referendum, nor unanimously.

The beaver was declared an official emblem of Canada in 1975 under the National Symbol of Canada Act. What was the primary historical reason the beaver was considered significant enough for this honour?

Answer: The fur trade in beaver pelts was the economic foundation that drove early European exploration and settlement of Canada

While the beaver did appear on Canada's first stamp (1851) and on the HBC coat of arms, the primary reason for its symbolic importance is that the beaver fur trade was the economic engine behind European exploration and settlement throughout the 17th and 18th centuries. It shaped colonial boundaries, alliances, and the very geography of what became Canada.

Canada's national horse breed, the Canadian Horse ('Le Cheval Canadien'), was declared an official symbol under a 2002 federal act. Which of the following best describes the breed's historical origin?

Answer: It descends from horses sent by King Louis XIV from French royal stables in the late 1600s, which adapted over centuries to harsh Canadian winters

The Canadian Horse descends from horses — primarily Breton and Norman breeds — shipped to New France from the royal stables of King Louis XIV between 1665 and 1670. Isolated and surviving brutal winters with minimal care for generations, they became a uniquely hardy, compact breed. They were nearly extinct by the 19th century before conservation efforts saved them.

The Tower of Peace (Peace Tower) on Parliament Hill houses the Memorial Chamber and the Carillon. How many bells does the Carillon contain as of its most recent expansion?

Answer: 53 bells

The Peace Tower Carillon contains 53 bells, making it one of the largest carillons in the world. The original carillon was installed when the current Centre Block opened in 1927, and bells have been added over the decades as gifts from provinces and other donors. The carillonneur plays concerts regularly, and the bells are a recognized symbol of Canada's parliamentary heritage.