Symbols of British Columbia


British Columbia is Canada's westernmost province, and has established several provincial symbols.

Official symbols

SymbolImageAdoptedRemarks
Coat of armsCoat of arms of British ColumbiaOctober 15, 1987Granted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
MottoSplendor sine occasu
Splendour without diminishment		October 15, 1987Granted with other elements of the coat of arms by Queen Elizabeth II
Shield of armsShield of arms of British Columbia1906Granted by King Edward VII. The shield can be found on the BC coat of arms, on highway route markers, and on the insignia of the British Columbia Conservation Officer Service. They are almost the same, the only difference being the number of sun rays.
FlagFlag of British Columbia1960Duplicates the design of the shield of arms of British Columbia
Legislative coat of arms/logoThe Legislative Assembly of British Columbia coat of arms or logo
Great SealThe Great Seal of the Province of British ColumbiaLinkGreat Seal of British Columbia, entrusted by the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia to the Attorney General of British Columbia
Emblem of the lieutenant governorEmblem of the lieutenant governor of British Columbia
Standard of the lieutenant governorStandard of the lieutenant governor of British ColumbiaDuplicated the design of the emblem of the lieutenant governor
FlowerPacific dogwood
1956
MammalSpirit bear
April 2006Also called Kermode bear
BirdSteller's jay
December 17, 1987Voted by the people of British Columbia
FishPacific salmon
February 2013
TreeWestern redcedar
February 1988Western red cedar is a valuable economic resource of the province
GemstoneJade1968Jade is mined in many parts of British Columbia
TartanBlue, white, green, red and gold1974Symbolising the ocean, dogwood, forests, the maple leaf and sun on the shield and flag
FossilTraskasaura''2023Adopted into the Provincial Symbols and Honours Act. Symbolizing British Columbia's "diverse natural history"