Saint-Raphaël

Heraldry of the World
Civic heraldry of Canada

SAINT-RAPHAËL

Province : Quebec

Official blazon

Arms : Azure on a fess undy Argent three water mill wheels Azure in chief a mullet Or between a pair of wings conjoined Argent and in base a deer passant Or.
Motto: ANIMA MEA IN MANIBUS

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on May 28, 1997.

The wings are a symbol of the archangel St. Raphael, after whom the town is named. The star is a symbol of Acadia, the area where many of the settlers came from.The wavy bend symbolises the local river and the water wheels the industry and the importance of the river for the development of the industry. The base of the shield shows a deer, a canting element for Bellechasse ('good-hunting'). The colours are the principal colours of Quebec.

The motto is derived from Job, 14,13.