Maple Leaf is National Emblem of Canada

Symbol of the Land and People for Centuries

Jan 30, 2009 Kathleen Airdrie

The maple leaf emerged as Canada's dominant visual symbol over a period of three centuries.

Native people were the first to discover 'sinzibuckwud', the Algonquin word for maple syrup, meaning literally 'drawn from wood'. They knew that the sap was a source of nutrition, and shared their knowledge with the settlers.

Maple Leaf Symbol of the Land and People

The people of New France (Quebec) settled first along the St. Lawrence River more than three centuries ago. They learned the value of maple wood and revelled in the trees’ glorious autumnal colours. They believed that the maple symbolized the land and its people.

Maple Leaf First Display as Symbol

1834 First Mayor of Montreal, Quebec, Jacques Viger, described the maple as "king of the forest...the symbol of the Canadian people"
"Le Canadien" newspaper selected maple leaves to embellish its heading
The maple leaf design began to appear on flags and banners in Quebec

Distinctive Maple Leaf Badge

1848 “Maple Leaf”, an annual literary publication in Toronto, described the maple leaf as Canada’s chosen emblem
1858 The Prince of Wales' Royal Canadian Regiment of Foot 100th was raised. Based in Quebec, it was the only regiment to have the distinctive maple leaf on its badge
1858 Silver coinage bears two maple boughs that surround the value and the date
1859 Coinage has wreath of maple leaves

Maple Leaf Pins as Emblem of Canada

1860 During the visit of Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII), citizens in Toronto were urged to wear maple leaf pins as the emblem of Canada
1867 Canada’s confederation song, “The Maple Leaf Forever”, was written by teacher Alexander Muir
1870 Governor General’s flag was the first official flag with a garland of maple leaves in the centre
1876 The maple leaf appeared on all Canadian coins and would do so until 1901

Maple Leaf Insignia in South African Boer War

1899 Insignia worn by Canadians serving in the South African Boer War included the maple leaf
1907 Unofficial badge of Canada was a composite of each province’s emblems, many with maple leaves

Maple Leaf on Canadians in World War I

1914 Lester B. Pearson (Canadian Prime Minister 1963-1968) noted that insignias of almost every battalion from Canada included the maple leaf. He vowed that he would campaign to have the maple leaf on Canada’s flag
1919 Pattern for Arms of Canada emerged with maple leaves and Royal emblems of England, Scotland, Ireland, and France

Maple Leaf Regimental Badges of World War II

1939 World War II troops from Canada wore regimental badges that bore the maple leaf. Canadian army and navy equipment had maple leaf insignia
1964 Fifty years after promising to do so, Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson campaigned for a Canadian flag with a maple leaf. After a month of debate, the flag was adopted by the Canadian Parliament October 22, 1964.

Maple Leaf on Canadian National Flag

1965 February 15, Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson was present when the red and white Canadian National Flag, with its distinctive red maple leaf, was proclaimed

As stated by Prime Minister Paul Martin in a Canada Day speech in Ottawa, July 2005, “The maple leaf is a symbol of duty and valor, pride and perseverance, ingenuity, diversity and, of course, global hockey supremacy. More than anything else, it's a symbol of what we as Canadians stand for”.

Sources:

The Story of Canada's Flag: A Historic Sketch by George F. G. Stanley, Revised Edition Published by McGraw-Hill Ryerson, 1972

Canadian Heritage Website

All About Canada Website

The copyright of the article Maple Leaf is National Emblem of Canada in Canadian History is owned by Kathleen Airdrie. Permission to republish Maple Leaf is National Emblem of Canada in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.