Quebec City, Quebec
The Flag of Quebec City, Quebec
The flag of Québec City is a symbol of the city’s rich history, maritime heritage, and French origins. The flag features a dark blue field, framed by a notched white border edged in dark blue. At the heart of the design is a golden yellow, stylized three-masted square-rigged ship, a representation of the 17th-century vessel Don de Dieu. The ship is depicted with six full sails, pennants flying from all its masts, and detailed elements such as the bowsprit, rudder, and steering post. The flag's border is unique in its crenulated (toothed) design, with seven notches at the top and bottom and four at the sides, each notch being twice as wide as the spaces between them. This combination of elements creates a striking visual and holds deep symbolic meaning, linking the flag to Québec City’s history and identity.
The golden ship at the center of the flag is an evocative tribute to the founding of Québec City by Samuel de Champlain in 1608. The ship, Don de Dieu, was the vessel that brought Champlain and his settlers to the New World, marking the beginning of Québec City’s pivotal role in the development of Canada. The full sails on the ship symbolize the strength, heroism, and resilience of the city’s people, as well as their maritime vocation, particularly the importance of Québec City’s seaport throughout its history. The positioning of the ship inside the crenulated border creates a horizon line, enhancing the feeling of movement and wind in the sails, as if the ship is setting sail toward new horizons, much like the city itself.
The heraldic colors of the flag carry significant meaning as well. The golden yellow of the ship represents strength, faith, justice, wealth, constancy, and brilliance. The white border, which is symbolic of humility, purity, charity, truth, and victory, highlights the city's values and its long history of overcoming challenges. The azure blue background, which dominates the flag, symbolizes sovereignty, majesty, serenity, good reputation, knowledge, clarity, and loyalty. This blue is also a nod to the city’s French heritage, as the color is prominently featured in the city's coat of arms and recalls the French origins of the city's founders.
The crenulated border of the flag is another important symbolic element. It evokes the fortified nature of Québec City, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its historic fortifications, and reminds viewers that the city was founded by Samuel de Champlain, who hailed from the fortified town of Brouage in France. The fortifications have been a key part of Québec City’s history, not only serving as protection against invaders but also symbolizing the city’s resilience and ability to endure through the centuries.
The current flag of Québec City was proposed by former mayor Jean Pelletier and was officially adopted on February 3, 1987, coinciding with the city’s 380th anniversary. It was registered as a trademark on July 22, 1987. The design was part of a broader effort to refresh the city's identity, alongside a revised version of the city’s coat of arms. The flag was the first city grant of the Canadian Heraldic Authority, cementing its official status. The flag, along with its heraldic design, serves as a lasting tribute to the city’s origins, its maritime past, and its ongoing significance as a cultural and historical hub.
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