Canada's Symbols: Flag, Anthem, Coat of Arms and More

Symbols are one of the friendliest chapters of Discover Canada: concrete, memorable, and full of dates that make clean test questions. This follows the guide's chapter on Canadian symbols, checked on 23 September 2026.

The flag

A new Canadian flag was raised for the first time in 1965. Its red-white-red pattern comes from the flag of the Royal Military College in Kingston, founded in 1876. Red and white had been the colours of France and England since the Middle Ages, and Canada's national colours since 1921.

Two other flags appear in the guide: the Union Jack is Canada's official Royal Flag, and the Canadian Red Ensign, which served as the Canadian flag for about 100 years, has been carried officially by veterans since 2005.

The maple leaf and the fleur-de-lys

The maple leaf is Canada's best-known symbol. Maple leaves were adopted by French Canadians in the 1700s, have appeared on Canadian uniforms and insignia since the 1850s, and are carved into the headstones of Canada's fallen soldiers.

The fleur-de-lys was the symbol of French royalty for more than 1,000 years, including in New France. In 1948, Quebec adopted its own flag, based on the cross and the fleur-de-lys.

The coat of arms and motto

Canada adopted an official coat of arms and national motto after the First World War. The motto, A Mari Usque Ad Mare, is Latin for "from sea to sea". The arms carry symbols of England, France, Scotland and Ireland, and red maple leaves.

The national anthem

O Canada was proclaimed the national anthem in 1980, and first sung in Québec City in 1880. French and English Canadians sing different words. The English version now reads "True patriot love in all of us command", changed in 2018 from the wording in older copies of the guide. The Royal Anthem, "God Save the King", can be played on any occasion honouring the Sovereign.

The Crown

The Crown has been a symbol of the state in Canada for 400 years, and Canada has been a constitutional monarchy in its own right since Confederation in 1867. The Crown is the symbol of government, including Parliament, the legislatures, the courts, the police and the Canadian Forces.

The beaver

The beaver was adopted centuries ago as a symbol of the Hudson's Bay Company, and it appears on the five-cent coin.

The Parliament Buildings

Completed in the 1860s, the Parliament Buildings were partly destroyed by fire in 1916 and rebuilt. The Peace Tower, finished in 1927, stands in memory of the First World War.

Sports

Hockey is the national winter sport and the most popular spectator sport. Lacrosse, an ancient sport first played by Indigenous peoples, is the official summer sport.

Honours

Canada started its own honours system with the Order of Canada in 1967, the centennial of Confederation. The Victoria Cross is the highest honour available to Canadians, for the most conspicuous bravery in the presence of the enemy.

For the test

The dates asked most are 1965 for the flag, 1980 for the anthem and 1967 for the Order of Canada, plus the meaning of the motto. Our study notes on Canadian symbols and the practice questions cover the rest.