The first coat of arms of Montreal was created by Jacques Viger, the city's first mayor. It was adopted in 1833 by the city councillors of the time. It was modified 105 years later and that version remains in use today. The version presently in use was adopted on March 21,1938 and was stylized according to heraldry standards. In fact, this crest was the only city emblem until 1981 when a stylized logo was developed. Both the coat of arms and logo now represent Montreal, although traditionally, the arms are reserved for special uses.

The device on the scroll — The motto "CONCORDIA SALUS", salvation through harmony, is inscribed on the scroll below the crest. This arrangement is also the same as on the arms of the province of Quebec arms.

The maple leaves — Montreal's coat of arms, like that of Quebec, is surrounded by a wreath of maple leaves. They are the leaves of the sugar maple (Acer saccharum) and they symbolize the amicable relations between the various elements of the city's population.

The beaver — Mounted over the shield is a beaver representing the industriousness of Montrealers who have worked to develop their city.

Form of shield — Following the example of the Province of Quebec, the City of Montreal, whose history and beginnings are identical to it, has adopted the French form of shield.

The field — The field is silver to recall the old coat of arms which had been composed by the first mayor of Montreal, Jacques Viger.

Heraldic cross — The heraldic cross is emblematic of the Christian motives and principles which governed the founders of the city.

National emblems

The field is quartered to contain four floral designs each of which represents the ethnic origin of the Montreal population in the 19th century.

National emblems on Montreal's Coat of Arms

Symbol	Name	Meaning
	The fleur de lys, of the royal House of Bourbon.	This is shown in the first quarter of the shield and represents the French settlers who were the first Europeans to possess the soil of the Island of Montreal. The original coat of arms adopted in 1833 had a French-Canadian beaver in place of the lily.[1][2]
	The Red Rose of Lancaster.	It stands for the English component of the city's population.
	The thistle.	It represents those of Scottish descent.
	The shamrock.	Indicates the fact that many of Montreal's early settlers and their descendants are of Irish blood.

Notes

1. ^ "What do the symbols on Montréal's coat of arms mean?", Centre d'histoire de Montréal, Ville de Montréal, retrieved May 23, 2008
2. ^ "Montreal coat of arms", engraving by John Henry Walker, McCord Museum, retrieved May 23, 2008

External links

• The City of Montreal's first coat of arms, 1833

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