Flag, Canadian, Red Ensign

The British flag used in Canada was the Red Ensign. While it was officially a naval flag used by Canadian ships starting in the 1890s, the Canadian Red Ensign — a combination of the Union Jack and the shield of Canada–had been used unofficially both at sea and on land since the 1870s and was widely recognized as a national symbol. During the First World War, the Canadian Red Ensign became a popular patriotic emblem. Flag, Canadian, Red Ensign - image1

As Canada matured as a nation, it became more important to create uniquely Canadian symbols to represent the country. In 1921, King George V granted Royal Arms to Canada and the shield of Canada’s new official coat of arms took its place on the Canadian Red Ensign. It is this version of the Canadian Red Ensign that represented Canada during the Second World War.

The Canadian Red Ensign featuring the shield of Canada’s national coat of arms 1921-1957. In 1957, the approved artistic interpretation of the coat of arms changed the maple leaves from green to red. This version would be used until 1965.

Description: The ensign is the Red Ensign of the United Kingdom, embellished with the Arms of Canada as a shield in the bottom right quarter. The shield is divided into four quarters, consisting of the coats of arms of England, Scotland, Ireland and the Kingdom of France, the four founding nations of Canada. The first three quarters are the same as the Arms of the United Kingdom. At the base is a sprig of three maple leaves representing Canada. The leaves are described as proper, that is, the correct colour; it uses red and gold, the colour of the leaves in autumn.

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