Symbols of Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia is one of Canada's provinces. Like many places, it has special symbols that represent its unique culture, history, and natural beauty. These symbols help tell the story of Nova Scotia and what makes it special to the people who live there and visitors who come to see its wonders.

Each symbol has its own meaning. Some symbols come from the plants, animals, and landscapes that are found only in Nova Scotia or are very important to the province. Others reflect the history and traditions of the people who have lived there for generations.

These symbols are used in many ways. You might see them on government buildings, in schools, on coins, or even on souvenirs. They help everyone remember and celebrate what Nova Scotia stands for and the shared values of its community.

Symbols

Nova Scotia, a province in Canada, has many special symbols that represent its identity and culture. These symbols help people feel proud of where they come from and remind them of the unique features of the province.

	Symbol	Image	Adopted	Remarks
Coat of arms	Coat of arms of Nova Scotia		1625	Granted to the Royal Province of Nova Scotia by King Charles I of England, Mayflower added to compartment in 1929.
Motto	Munit haec et altera vincit One defends and the other conquers		1625
Shield of Arms	Shield of arms of Nova Scotia		1625	Shield of arms was granted by King Charles I of England
Flag	Flag of Nova Scotia		1858, restored in 1929	Created in 1858 from Arms granted by King Charles I in 1625, restored by Royal Warrant of George V after confederation.
Crest	The House of Assembly Crest			Crest is derived from the Shield of Arms with the addition of St. Edward's crown placed at the top of the shield.
Flower	May Flower (Trailing Arbutus) Epigaea repens		1901	Emerged as a native patriotic symbol in 1820
Bird	Osprey Pandion haliaetus		1994	400 breeding pairs exist in Nova Scotia.
Tree	Red Spruce Picea rubens		1988	Important sawn lumber and pulpwood product in the province.
Berry	Wild Blueberry		January 11, 1996	Native to Nova Scotia
Dog	Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever		1995	A dog breed native to Nova Scotia
Horse	Sable Island horse		2008
Fish	Brook trout		November 23, 2006
Gemstone	Agate		November 23, 1999	Found in the basalts around the Bay of Fundy
Mineral	Stilbite			Abundant along the Bay of Fundy and Minas Basin.
Fossil	Hylonomus lyelli "forest wanderer"		2002	Is the oldest known reptile in the world.
Maritime ambassador	Bluenose II			Replica of the schooner Bluenose (1921–1946)
Tartan	Blue, white, greens, red and gold		1955	Nova Scotia Tartan was the first provincial tartan in Canada and was approved by the Lord Lyon King at Arms. The blue and white in the tartan stand for the sea, the greens represent the forests, red is for the royal lion on the Shield of Arms, and gold for the province's historic Royal Charter.
Mace	Mace of Nova Scotia		1930	It is the ancient symbol of the Royal Authority, delegated in Nova Scotia to the House of Assembly
Logo	The Visual Identity Program Symbol		1996	The symbol is used by Nova Scotia government departments and the majority of agencies and commissions for stationery, advertising, exhibits and displays as the consistent visual form by which the province identifies itself both within government and to the public.
Orders	Order of Nova Scotia		2002	The Order of Nova Scotia is Nova Scotia's highest honour. The medal is in the form of the five-petalled mayflower, at the heart of the flower is the Shield of Arms for Nova Scotia and the shield is surmounted by St. Edward's crown.