HMCS Montreal, Royal Canadian Navy

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HMCS MONTREAL, ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY

Official blazon

Badge: Azure a pile reversed Argent charged in base with two barrulets wavy Azure and above over all a coronet of maple leaves and fleur-de-lis set on a jewelled rim all Azure the maple leaved fimbriated Argent.
Motto: TON BRAS SAIT PORTER L’ÉPÉE.

Origin/meaning

Badge: The two blue bars represent the St. Lawrence River and the triangular shape Mount Royal, which gave its name to the city of Montreal. The coronet, a symbol of royalty, recalls the name of the mountain. The fleur-de-lis situates the city in the province of Quebec, while the maple leaves represent her status as a Canadian ship of war. Blue and white are the colours of the flag of Quebec.

Motto: TON BRAS SAIT PORTER L’ÉPEE, meaning “Your arm knows how to bear a sword” is taken from the French lyrics of the Canadian national anthem. The ship has traditionally used a line from the English lyrics as the motto translation, “We stand on guard for thee”, to express a similar sentiment.

The Badge was approved by the Canadian Heraldic Authority on December 9, 1991.