If European navigators in the Middle Ages had not so passionately sought to find the shortest route to India, it is quite possible that this Canadian city would not have been on the map until now. The modern coat of arms of Quebec, one of the largest cities in North America, clearly illustrates the pages of history associated with the discovery of these lands.
Description of the coat of arms of Quebec
The authors of the sketch of the main official symbol of this city strictly adhered to the canonical traditions of heraldry. Firstly, for drawing the elements, the main colors of the palette were chosen - azure and scarlet for the fields of the shield, gold for the image of the sailboat, two crossing keys and the outline of the upper field. Another detail - a maple leaf - is painted in emerald color, and the alternation of silver and blue wavy stripes is an illustration of the ocean expanses.
Symbols and meaning
A sailing ship crossing the ocean symbolizes the courage, the courage of the sailors who managed to get to these territories. Samuel Champlain and his team are called the discoverer.
Precious keys, which are depicted in the upper field of the shield, act as symbolic keys to the city. And one of them is a symbol of old Quebec, which during the English rule received the status of the capital of New France. The second key is associated with modern Quebec, which serves as the capital of the province of the same name. Two keys act as symbols of the continuity of the city's history, politics, and loyalty to traditions.
Main heraldic symbol
Naturally, this role is given to the famous maple leaf, which adorns both the flag of Canada and the coat of arms of this North American state. This element also occupies a worthy place on the main heraldic sign of Quebec.
But there is one significant difference - the authors of the sketch chose green for the depiction of this element, in contrast to state symbols, where maple leaves are depicted in scarlet or silver. The leaf appears on the Quebec coat of arms as a symbol of the unity of the various ethnic groups living in the region.
During their long history, these territories have seen a lot, the indigenous population was various Indian tribes, then French missionaries appeared, followed by researchers and politicians, also from France. There was an attempt to annex Quebec to the territory of the United States, then the British period began. Quebec even managed to test itself as the capital of the country, until it gave the capital status to Ottawa.
