Québec
QUÉBEC CITY
Province : Quebec
Official blazon
Arms : Azure, on a base barry wavy Argent and Azure an ancient ship under full sail Or, on a chief Gules fimbriated Or two keys in saltire Or surmounted by a maple leaf Vert.
Crest: A mural coronet masoned Sable with ports Gules.
Motto: DON DE DIEU FERAY VALOIR
Origin/meaning
The arms were officially granted on September 20, 1988.
The ship represents the period when Québec was founded, in 1608, by Samuel de Champlain, who came from Honfleur (France). It also represents the maritime vocation of Québec with its important seaport. The full sails symbolise the strength and courage of the population.
Each of the two keys has its own significance: the key on the right symbolises Québec as the capital of New-France, of Canada, at
the beginning of the English regime, and of Lower-Canada; the key on the left represents the Capital of the province of Québec since
the Confederation. Together they symbolise the political and municipal history of the City of Québec.
Thee maple leaf symbolises the canadian personality of the City of Québec and represents all ethnic elements of its population, along with the patriotic and civic spirit of its citizens. The crown, on top of the escutcheon, reminds us that Québec is a fortified city and that its founder, Champlain, also came from a fortified town, Brouage en Saintonge.
Last, the expression "Don de Dieu feray valoir" (which might be loosely translated as "Gift of God shall make prosper") is a testimony of christian faith symbolizing spiritual, moral and social virtues of the active and courageous population of Québec, and embodies the ideal of the city, drawn from the source of its foundation.
Literature : Image from http://www.gg.ca
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© since 1995, Heraldry of the World, Ralf Hartemink 
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