RHSC Canadian Heraldic Dictionary: T-index

Canadian Heraldic Dictionary

Term	Source	Meaning	Illustration
Tank Military	Windsor Regiment, RCAC (Badge) Vol IV, P 425	The Tank shown in this badge is of First World War vintage. It represents the Regiment's origins as a tank unit, formed in 1936.
Tapissé	Cadet SU (Prairie)	Tapissé means carpeted. In the badge shown, the background of the base is blazoned as “tapissé of wheat Or".
Tarascan Feathered Coronet	Macouzet, M. Vol V, P 553	The feathered coronet represents the State of Tarascan in pre-Columbian Mexico.
Teapot	Murchie's Tea and Coffee, Ltd. Vol II, P230	The Teapot, used here for the first time in heraldry, is a familiar household utensil. It obviously refers to the grantee's business.
Terpsichore	Centre Uriel. Vol V, P 478	Terpsichore is the classsical muse of dance. Her image is used here to refer to the Centre Uriel’s role as an organization devoted to training for the dance.
Thorn Branch	Silverthorn, G. (Crest) Vol IV, P 307	The Thorn Branch argent held by the cougar in this crest is a canting reference to the grantee’s surname.
Threaded Needle	Lindala, G.J. Vol III, P 322	The Threaded Needle refers to the fact that the grantee's grandfather was a tailor in Finland, his country of origin.
Thunderbird	Abbottsford	This is a traditional mythological creature used by the Haida and other West-coast aboriginal tribes. It resembles an eagle, and is sometimes depicted as double-headed.
Thunderbird #2	Military Police Branch. Vol V, P 545	In the mythology of the First Nations, the thunderbird is a symbol of supremacy and power. It is also a protective spirit, one who gives wise counsel and guards the community against evil and misfortune.
Thurible	Duffy, I.R. Vol VI, P 92	The Thurible blazoned in this Catholic Priest's arms is perhaps better known as an incense burner.
Timber Wolf	Bloomfield, H.J.F. Vol II, P 323	The Timber Wolf is a medium-sized wolf found mainly in the country north-east of the Great Lakes. Like all wolves, it is a carnivore, its prey mainly deer and beaver. Heraldically, it symbolizes strength, agility and determination.
Tipstaff	Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner. (Badge) Vol III, P 237	The Tipstaff is a ceremonial baton carried by an important individual on ceremonial occasions. In this case, it represents specifically the baton of the OPP Commissioner.
Tlingit Copper Shield	Gingell, J. Vol III, P 272	The supporter behind the arms is a depiction of a copper shield of the Tlingit First Nation from the Pacific Northwest. It was a symbol of wealth and status.
Tomahawk	Canadian Forces War of 1812 Commemorative Banner. Vol VI, P 72	The Tomahawks are used in this context to represent the First Nation allies in the War of 1812.
Tomoes	Yamanaka, R.M. Vol V, P 86	The three swirling drops known as the Tomoes are the emblem of Okinawa, alluding to the grantee's heritage.
Tongs (Blacksmith's)	University of P.E.I. (Flag) Vol V, P 503	The Blacksmith’s tongs (shown in the dexter chief along with mallets) are a reference to St. Dunstan, the patron saint of blacksmiths. St. Dunstan’s University joined with Prince of Wales College to form the University of P.E.I.
Torah Crown	Abraham	The Torah Crown is a reference to the Jewish faith. However, the one depicted in the grant illustrated does not seem to resemble the traditional torah crown, which typically has a sort of cupola at the top (see image on right).
Torah Crown #2	Wosk, M.J. Vol IV, P 299	The Torah Crown is a Hebrew emblem, referring to the Tribe of Levi. It displays a Mogen (or Star of) David in its centre. It is used heraldically to refer to the traditions of Judaism.
Torah Scroll	Congregation of Shaar Hashomayim. Vol III, P 45	The Torah symbolizes the law that forms the basis of Judaism.
Train	Sainte-Foy	The blazon reads "... a bend Or charged with five kegs joined by a train Sable." Before one searches for a locomotive and several cars, it should be noted that the train here (in the ancient French arms of Brulard de Sillery) refers to a train of gunpowder or fuse arranged to cause an explosion, although this is not explained for the benefit of the artist.
Treble Clef	Hamilton Children's Choir	The treble clef is a musical symbol readily converted into an heraldic one, as depicted here.
Trellisé	Tellier, L-N. Vol V, P 505	The term Trellisé refers to a lattice-like pattern of interwoven bands or fibres.
Tressure Érablé		A tressure embellished with maple leaves set alternately.
Trian Aspect	Prairie Gliding School	This useful term, meaning "in three-quarter view" (between affronty and profile) is generally used for animals or persons. It serves a useful purpose here to refer to a ship.
Trillium, Red	Waterdown/East Flamborough Heritage Society. Vol VI, P 43	The Red Trillium (as shown in the compartment) is found in abundance in the Flamborough area.
Trillium, White - Heraldic	Lindsay, R.A. (Badge) Vol VI, P 152	The White Trillium is the Provincial Flower of Ontario.
Trillium, White - Natural	Provincial Flowers of Canada	The White Trillium (shown here in its natural form) is the Provincial flower of Ontario.
Trilobite	City of Percé, Quebec. Vol III P 194	The Trilobites (one shown here in base) are a fossil group of extinct marine arthropods. They were among the most successful of all early animals, flourishing until the mass extinction of the Devonian period.
Triquetra	Hood, A.D. Vol III, P 231	The Triquetra, as illustrated in the shield, is used as a symbol for the Trinity.
Trout, Steelhead	Town of Lake Cowichan, BC. Vol V, P 327	The Steelhead Trout references the great fishing of the Cowichan area, for which the community is famous.
Tryzub	Steeves	A common symbol of Ukraine. It is believed to have originated as a tribal symbol and is included in the country's flag. Used for Canadians of Ukrainian descent.
Tsubouchi Mon	Tsubouchi, D.H. Vol II, P 262	The Mon is a Japanese emblem used to identify an individual or family. Their use is in many ways similar to that of European heraldry. Most usually, they consist of a roundel encircling a plant, animal, man-made or celestial object. In the illustrated arms, there has been an interesting artistic effort to connect the Japanese grantee with his home in Canada. Each mon is composed of six single-winged maple-seeds conjoined, wings outward, and within an annulet Or - Canadian and Japanese heraldry combined.
Tulip Tree Leaf	Norfolk County, Ontario. Vol IV, P 355	The Tulip Tree (its leaves shown here in the chief) is a feature of the Carolinian Forrest, which extends into Southern Ontario. The name originates from the shape of the leaf.
Turtle Shell	Nicholas, G. Vol VI, P 360	The Turtle Shell, (seen here in the compartment), represents the Maliseet First Nation's Turtle Clan, and their conception of the world as supported on a turtle's back.