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Rimouski, Quebec (Canada)

Ville de Rimouski

1:2 image by Eugene Ipavec
Source: Canadian City Flags, Raven 18

Rimouski
Current Flag
- Design
- Symbolism
- Selection
- Designer
Former Flag
Institut maritime du Québec, Rimouski

See also:

Rimouski

Rimouski is a city in Quebec, located in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region, at the mouth of the Rimouski River.

Current Flag

Text and image(s) from Canadian City Flags, Raven 18 (2011), courtesy of the North American Vexillological Association, which retains copyright. Image(s) by permission of Eugene Ipavec.

Design

The flag of the City of Rimouski has a purple field with the city’s coat of arms in the centre. Rimouski runs below the arms in a medieval font; its “R” is red, the other letters are yellow.

The simple shield has a slightly arched top and simply-curved sides forming a pointed “U” shape. It is divided horizontally into two panels. The upper panel is black with scattered silver ermine spots and tails (in heraldry, “ermines”), a Patriarchal cross (two crossbars, the upper one smaller) in golden yellow is in the centre, with a small crown-like object above it. The lower panel is silver with a red anchor fouled with a black rope in the centre, and a small green evergreen tree on either side. Atop the shield is a five-towered mural crown in golden yellow with black details. Flanking both sides of the shield are branches with green maple leaves, tied at their base with a red ribbon which forms loops at the centre and splits into forked ends. Surmounting the juncture of the maple branches is a ribbon in golden yellow, also splitting at its ends, inscribed LEGI PATRUM FIDELIS in black serif letters—the “L” in red.
Luc Baronian, Canadian City Flags, Raven 18, 2011

Symbolism

The city’s documentation interprets the arms:

The coat of arms is a symbol of Rimouski’s faith, work, and dignity. The shield is divided Rimouski, Québec 157 into two equal parts, which symbolize the movement of the waters. The silver [ermine] spots represent the [historical] seigneurs of Rimouski. The pastoral cross indicates that Rimouski is a religious centre [it is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Rimouski], its educational institutions, and the indestructible faith of its pioneers. The anchor symbolizes the seaport [Rimouski is on the south shore of the Saint Lawrence River] and commercial and industrial development. It is also a symbol of hope. The fir trees remind us of the forestry industry. The Latin motto Legi patrum fidelis translates as “Faithful to the Law of our forefathers”.

The maple leaves are green, their traditional colour in Québec heraldry. The mural crown is a traditional symbol of civic authority.
Luc Baronian, Canadian City Flags, Raven 18, 2011

Selection

Unknown (the flag was observed in 2006 and mentioned in city council minutes in 2004).
Luc Baronian, Canadian City Flags, Raven 18, 2011

Designer

Unknown. The arms were created by the Collège canadien des armoiries, a commercial heraldic design firm founded in 1954 and active in creating Québec municipal heraldry in the late 1950s.
Luc Baronian, Canadian City Flags, Raven 18, 2011

Institut maritime du Québec, Rimouski

image located by Dave Fowler, 22 December 2021
based on https://www.gg.ca/en/heraldry/public-register/project/3332

Flag was approved by Canadian Heraldic Authority on March 15, 2021.

Blazon
Argent a base barry-wavy Bleu Céleste and Argent overall an anchor Azure fouled Or, on a chief Azure a sun rising between two mullets Or;

Symbolism
The ship’s anchor represents maritime transport and industry, and therefore the Institute’s vocation for maritime training. The wavy lines recall the sea and the Institute’s coastal location in Rimouski, Quebec. The sun symbolizes the light of knowledge and the Institute’s mission of research and teaching. Its rays, emitted in every direction, allude to its international scope. The stars represent the students trained at the Institute.

Crest
Blazon
A three-masted ship Azure pennons Or sailing upon waves proper issuant from a coronet of maple leaves and fleurs-de-lis Or;

Symbolism
The symbol of a ship sailing on waves, long used by the Institute, represents its vocation of maritime teaching. The maple leaves are a symbol of Canada and the fleurs-de-lis of Quebec. Together, they represent the Institute’s status as a national school.

Motto
Blazon
VIGILANTIA ET FORTITUDO

Dave Fowler, 22 December 2021