Alberta Scenery Photo Tour
Alberta Flag and Coat of Arms

Photo:  Alberta Coat of Arms

The original coat of arms of Alberta was granted to Alberta by a Royal Warrant of King Edward VII on 30 May 1907.

The Crest:  sits above the shield and consists of a royal helmet crowned with a red and silver wreath, on top of which sits a beaver, resting on top of which is St Edward's Crown.  White and red are the official colours of Canada, and the beaver is the official animal of Canada.

The Compartment or Base:  a grassy mount with wild roses, the official flower of Alberta

The Supporters:  a golden lion on the left (representing power) and a pronghorn antelope on the right (representing Alberta's natural resources).  Neither of these is the official animal of Alberta (which is the bighorn sheep).

The Motto: Fortis et Liber, meaning "strong and free", a phrase from the English lyrics of "O Canada".

Photo:  Alberta Shield of Arms - Centennial Flame

The shield represents the natural resources and beauty of the varied of Alberta landscape:

• the Rocky Mountains and their foothills,
• the grass prairies, and
• the cultivated wheat fields.

The St George's Cross is an allusion to the arms of the Hudson's Bay Company, which once controlled what is now Alberta.