…By Larry John for TDPel Media.
The Design:
The redesigned Royal Crown emblem features a stylized snowflake at the top of the crown, which replaces the traditional orb and cross.
Additionally, the emblem replaces crosses and fleurs-de-lis with maple leaves, which are quintessential Canadian symbols.
Significance:
The Royal Crown emblem is an important symbol of the sovereign’s authority, the Canadian monarchy, and the power of the state acting in the sovereign’s name.
The new design emphasizes the Canadian identity of the monarchy and reflects Canada’s status as a northern realm.
Christian Symbolism:
The traditional orb and cross found on the crown are Christian symbols that represent the dominion of Jesus Christ over the world.
The snowflake symbol, on the other hand, is a reference to Canada’s northern location and is linked to the insignia of the Order of Canada.
Restricted Use:
The Royal Crown is a restricted emblem in Canada and requires special permission from the reigning British monarch for any new use.
It is typically used as part of the emblems of sovereignty, honors insignia, badges of law enforcement and the Canadian Armed Forces, and heraldic emblems of entities with a significant tie to the monarchy.
Designer:
The designer of the new Royal Crown emblem is Cathy Bursey-Sabourin, who serves as Fraser Herald of Arms and principal artist at the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
Commentary:
The redesign of Canada’s Royal Crown emblem reflects the country’s desire to assert its own identity while still maintaining its ties to the British monarchy.
The use of Canadian symbols like maple leaves and the snowflake reflect Canada’s unique identity, while still acknowledging the Christian roots of the traditional crown.
Overall, the redesign is a positive development that will serve as an important symbol of Canada’s unique place in the world.