Nanaimo

NANAIMO Province : British Columbia

Official blazon

Arms : Argent a cross Gules in the first quarter on two bars wavy Azure a barque in full sail proper pennons flying Gules and the fourth quarter semé of lozenges Sable.
Crest: The Nanaimo Bastion proper.
Motto: FAITH AND LABOUR

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on September 23, 1951 and again on February 15, 2001.

Nanaimo's origins lie in its maritime location, the early administration of the Hudson's Bay Company and the development of the coal industry. These elements together with the representation of the Hudson's Bay Company Bastion that was completed in 1853 form the main features of the Arms designed for the City.

The principal colour of the arms of Nanaimo is red taken from the red cross on a silver field on the arms of the Hudson's Bay Company. On the first quarter of the shield is a representation of a barque to commemorate arrival of Nanaimo's early settlers from England after a sea voyage of five months in this type of vessel. On the fourth quarter is a pattern of "black diamonds" representing Nanaimo coal mining industry, now discontinued but the original reason for Nanaimo's existence. The open second and third quarters indicate the unfulfilled future.