Coat of arms of New Westminster facts for kids
The arms of the City of New Westminster are like a special symbol or logo for the city in British Columbia, Canada. The city council first chose these arms in 1860, which was the same year New Westminster became an official city. Later, in 1994, the Canadian Heraldic Authority officially approved and granted these arms to the city.
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Understanding the City's Symbols
The arms of New Westminster are made up of several parts, each with its own special meaning. These parts tell a story about the city's history, its location, and what was important to its people.
The Crest: Power and City Status
The very top part of the arms is called the Crest. It features a silver and red mural crown. A mural crown looks like a wall with towers, and it shows that New Westminster is an important city. On top of this crown is a golden grizzly bear. The grizzly bear is a strong animal and represents power.
The Shield: Industries and History
The main part of the arms is the Shield. It has a blue cross on a white background. Inside the shield, you can see symbols of the city's traditional jobs and industries:
- A sailing ship shows the importance of shipbuilding.
- A plowshare (the blade of a plow) represents farming and agriculture.
- A fir tree stands for the forestry industry, which uses wood from trees.
- Two salmons remind us of the fishing industry.
The Supporters: Royal Connections
On each side of the shield, there are two red Supporters. These are lions, and they look similar to the lions found in the royal arms of Scotland. Each lion wears a special medallion around its neck. One medallion has a royal crown, and the other has the symbol of the Hyack Anvil Battery. The Hyack Anvil Battery is a unique local tradition in New Westminster.
The Compartment: The Fraser River
Below the shield and supporters is the Compartment. This part looks like a forest hill with wavy ribbons. The blue and silver wavy ribbons represent the Fraser River, showing that the city is located right on its banks.
The Scroll: City Motto
At the very bottom, there is a Scroll with the city's motto written on it. The motto for New Westminster is "In God We Trust."
Images for kids
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Arms of New Westminster
