BRITISH COLUMBIA

  • Where did the name British Columbia come from?
  • "British " because it was a British colony in 1858.
  • "Columbia " refers to the Columbia River.
  • B.C. became a province in 1871.
bc flag

  • British Columbia's flag design was taken from the shield.
  • At the top is the flag of the United Kingdom (Union Jack)
    since theprovince was once a British colony.
  • Below is a half sun on blue waves.
    The waves are for the Pacific Ocean off the B.C. coast.
    The setting sun represents the most westerly province.
  • It became the official provincial flag in 1960.

coat of arms

  • On the upper part of the shield rests an golden crown.
  • A crowned lion has a collar of Pacific Dogwood flowers, the provincial flower.
  • The wapiti stag and the ram (bighorn sheep) represent the union of
    the former colonies of Vancouver Island and British Columbia in 1886.
  • Dogwood flowers are below the motto.
  • The motto SPLENDOR SINE OCCASU means "spendour without diminishment".

floral emblem dogwood

THE PACIFIC DOGWOOD

  • This flower is the floral emblem of Britsh Columbia.
  • It grows best in the southwestern forests of B.C.
    (on Vancouver Island and along the Fraser River ).
  • The Dogwood is a tree that is full of many white blossoms
    in April and May.
  • In the fall clusters of bright red berries are produced.
  • The tree is on the list of provincial plants protected by law.

OTHER EMBLEMS:

  • mammal - Spirit Bear (bear with white fur)
  • bird - Stellar's Jay
  • gemstone - Jade (a green gem used for jewellery and sculptures)
  • tree - Western Red Cedar; grows up to 60 m. high

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EMBLEMS | CANADA

Web Pages for Students

J.Giannetta 1999
(updated 2017)
jgiannet@hotmail.com


symbols of British Columbia