Canadian Red Ensign

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Canadian Red Ensign
The Canadian Red Ensign that was in use from 1957 until 1965
Red Ensign used from 1957 to 1965
UseCivil ensign[note 1] Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag
Proportion1:2
Adopted1957 (earlier versions in 1892 and 1922)[note 2]
Relinquished1965
DesignA red field, featuring the Royal Union Flag in the canton, defaced with the shield portion of the coat of arms of Canada.

The Canadian Red Ensign (

Royal Union Flag in the canton, emblazoned with the shield of the coat of arms of Canada
.

The Canadian Red Ensign emerged as an informal flag to represent Canada as early as the 1870s and was used at sea

Maple Leaf flag was adopted in 1965.[3]
The Maple Leaf flag also replaced the Canadian Red Ensign as the civil ensign of the country after it was adopted.

Description

The ensign is the

Arms of the United Kingdom. At the base is a sprig of three maple leaves representing Canada. The leaves are described as proper, that is, the correct colour; it uses red and gold, the colour of the leaves in autumn. An earlier version of the Arms of Canada and the Canadian Red Ensign, used from 1922 to 1957, was coloured green.[5]

History

Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Canadian Red Ensign used from 1868 to 1922. Several informal variations of the ensign were produced in that time, altered by manufacturers' whims and the addition of other provincial arms on the ensign.

The Red Ensign bearing some sort of a Canadian emblem was used by Canadians both on land and at sea beginning as early as 1868 (soon after

First World War
. It can be seen in numerous photographs of Canadian troops, on the prime minister's car, and in victory parades.

Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Canadian Red Ensign used from 1922 to 1957

The original Canadian Red Ensign had the arms of the four founding provinces on its shield. However, in the late 19th and early 20th century, flag manufacturers would often supplement this design with wreaths of laurel and oak leaves and crowns. The design was frequently placed on a white background square, circle or roughly following the outline of the arms in the flag's fly (right hand side assuming the flagpole to be on the left). There was no standard design for the Red Ensign until the early 1920s. In 1921, the Government of Canada asked

King George V to order a new coat of arms for Canada. The College of Arms thus designed a suitable coat of arms of Canada. The new shield was formally adopted on the Canadian Red Ensign through order-in-council on 26 April 1922.[1][7] In 1924, the Red Ensign was approved for use on Canadian government buildings outside Canada.[7] The Canadian Red Ensign, through history, tradition and custom was finally formalized on 5 September 1945, when the Governor General of Canada
signed an Order-in-Council (P.C. 5888) which stated that "The Red Ensign with the Shield of the Coat of arms in the fly (to be referred to as "The Canadian Red Ensign") may be flown from buildings owned or occupied by the Canadian federal Government within or without Canada shall be appropriate to fly as a distinctive Canadian flag." The flag was thus approved for use by government buildings inside Canada as well, and once again flew over Parliament.

The Red Ensign served as the country's civil ensign from 1892 to 1965 when it was replaced by today's

United Province of Canada could also have used a blue ensign, but there is little evidence such a flag was ever used. In Otto Reinhold Jacobi
's painting of the new Parliament Buildings in 1866, a Red Ensign flies from the tower of the East Block.

In 2007, the Canadian Red Ensign was formally recognized as a "national symbol of Canada," by the Public Register of Arms, Flags and Badges of Canada.[8]

Vimy Ridge Red Ensign

From left to right: the Flag of France, the Maple Leaf Canadian flag, and the Canadian Red Ensign fly at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France

The Red Ensign carried by the 5th Canadian Infantry Battalion (Western Cavalry) at the Battle of Vimy Ridge in 1917 survives to this day, and is possibly the oldest Canadian flag in existence.[9] The battle was the first time all four divisions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force fought together during the First World War, and is viewed as a pivotal event in the history of Canadian national identity.[10][11]

The Red Ensign flown at Vimy Ridge in 1917 had the arms of Canada's first four provinces. In the Royal Warrant of 1868 assigning arms to the first four provinces of Canada, Queen Victoria authorized them to be quartered for use on the Great Seal of Canada and thus de facto they became the arms for Canada until 1921.

Lieutenant-Colonel Lorn Paulet Owen Tudor of the 5th Battalion, an Englishman who had emigrated to Canada before the war.[13][9]

The Imperial War Museum refused requests over the years to

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. David Penn, Keeper of Exhibits and Firearms at the Imperial War Museum, called the flag "our most important First World War Commonwealth artifact".[9][14]

Eventually, after months of negotiations involving the Royal Canadian Legion, the Imperial War Museum agreed to lend the flag to Canada to commemorate the opening of the new Canadian War Museum in Ottawa in 2005. The flag was returned to the United Kingdom in 2008.[13][9][14]

There is another Red Ensign in existence that was reportedly carried by Canadian troops at the Battle of Vimy Ridge, currently held by the Penticton Museum and Archives in Penticton, British Columbia. It is a simple red ensign, without a coat of arms.[13][9]

Usage today

The 1922-spec ensign being flown in Northern Ontario, August 2008

Though much less common than either the Maple Leaf or modern provincial flags, the several versions of the Canadian Red Ensign continue to be flown today both in official and unofficial capacities. In view of its association with the Canadian Army during the world wars, it is flown alongside the Maple Leaf flag at numerous war memorials, including the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France. It is also used by veterans' groups, and is part of the official colour party (together with the Maple Leaf) of the Royal Canadian Legion. The flag is sometimes flown on vintage ships, and at heritage sites where it is historically accurate.

In the 2010s, some

Paul Fromm,[15] and the five members of the Proud Boys who disrupted an indigenous protest on Canada Day in July 2017.[15][16]

The flag's appropriation by white supremacists has produced an outcry from several groups, including the Royal Canadian Legion, the Canadian Centre for the Great War, and the editor of the history journal The Dorchester Review, who have expressed the view that "trivializing, or treating as a kind of talisman of defiance, a flag that has a much more venerable and mainstream role" is not right and "flies in the face of what the Red Ensign means".[15]

Variations

Before the adoption of the new arms of Canada in 1921, flag makers made the badge larger each time a new province joined Confederation. This led to the creation of several unofficial but widely used variants of the Canadian Red Ensign.

At the opening ceremony of the 1936 Olympic Games, a variant of the 1922–1957 red ensign with the arms inside a white disc was carried by Canadian Olympian and flag bearer James Worrall. However the normal version of the red ensign without the disc was hoisted alongside the other national flags that surrounded the perimeter of the stadium.[17]

Some of the variations are shown below.

  • 1868: The Canadian Red Ensign used at July 1 Dominion Day celebrations in Barkerville, BC in support of Canadian Confederation, as Canada did not have an official flag.[18]
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag 1868: The Canadian Red Ensign used at July 1 Dominion Day celebrations in Barkerville, BC in support of Canadian Confederation, as Canada did not have an official flag.[18]
  • 1870: An early version of Manitoba's coat of arms was added to represent the new province.
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag 1870: An early version of Manitoba's coat of arms was added to represent the new province.
  • 1870: Until 1922, there were variations in displaying the shield on the flag: sometimes a white disk was added behind the shield, sometimes there would be a wreath of maple leaves or a wreath of roses, thistles, and shamrocks, and occasionally the shield was topped by a beaver or crown.
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag 1870: Until 1922, there were variations in displaying the shield on the flag: sometimes a white disk was added behind the shield, sometimes there would be a wreath of maple leaves or a wreath of roses, thistles, and shamrocks, and occasionally the shield was topped by a beaver or crown.
  • 1871: Symbols were added to represent British Columbia. This version was rarely used and was overshadowed heavily by the 1868, 70, and 73 versions, all three of which remained in use until the early 1900s, while the 1873 version was never particularly common.
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag 1871: Symbols were added to represent British Columbia. This version was rarely used and was overshadowed heavily by the 1868, 70, and 73 versions, all three of which remained in use until the early 1900s, while the 1873 version was never particularly common.
  • 1873: The flag was modified to represent the new provinces of British Columbia and Prince Edward Island. The badge was always placed on a white disk in this edition.
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag 1873: The flag was modified to represent the new provinces of British Columbia and Prince Edward Island. The badge was always placed on a white disk in this edition.
  • 1896: British Columbia adopted a new coat of arms.
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag 1896: British Columbia adopted a new coat of arms.
  • 1907: Alberta and Saskatchewan were added to the flag. The coats of arms of British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, and Manitoba took on their modern forms.
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag 1907: Alberta and Saskatchewan were added to the flag. The coats of arms of British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, and Manitoba took on their modern forms.
  • Flag with 1922-1957 disc. The flag was carried by James Worrall at the opening ceremony of the 1936 Olympic Games.
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag with 1922-1957 disc. The flag was carried by James Worrall at the opening ceremony of the 1936 Olympic Games.
  • Flag with 1957-1965 disc
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag with 1957-1965 disc
  • Flag of the lieutenant governor of Ontario from 1959 to 1965, the 1957 Canadian Red Ensign with the shield of Ontario below the Union Flag.
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag of the lieutenant governor of Ontario from 1959 to 1965, the 1957 Canadian Red Ensign with the shield of Ontario below the Union Flag.

Provincial

Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag of Manitoba
Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag of Ontario

Today, two Canadian

Great Flag Debate in Parliament and throughout the country as a whole, the Maple Leaf flag was adopted. The Red Ensign, however, retained broad sympathy including amongst many who desired a distinct national flag for Canada.[19] Ontario and Manitoba subsequently adopted their provincial flags in 1965 and 1966 respectively.[20][21]

Canadian Blue Ensign

Main article: Canadian Naval Ensign
Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag The Canadian Naval Jack used from 1957 to 1965

The Canadian

British Admiralty in 1868 for use by ships owned by the Canadian government. Carr's Flags of the World says "The Blue Ensign is charged with the shield in the fly", and that the Blue Ensign "is worn 'as a Jack' for distinguishing purposes when at anchor, or under way and dressed with masthead flags".[22]

In 1937, the Canadian Government established that the Canadian Blue Ensign ("the Blue Ensign of the Dominion of Canada") would be used as a special ensign by the several Canadian yacht clubs which had prior to then used the British Blue Ensign (either plain or defaced) as their special ensign. This usage lasted until the 1965 introduction of the Maple Leaf flag. Today, some Canadian yacht clubs use the Canadian Blue Ensign to commemorate this usage.

In art and culture

Otto Reinhold Jacobi included a red ensign flying from the East Block in his 1866 painting of the Parliament Buildings.

During the early 1990s an

Parliament buildings depicted behind Prime Minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier on the $5 banknote, Sir John A. Macdonald on the $10 note and William Lyon Mackenzie King on the $50 note. This flag was in fact the Canadian Red Ensign, which was contemporaneous with the three prime ministers, but in such a small size that it could be confused with the US flag.[23]

Notes

  1. ^ The Canadian Red Ensign was also viewed as an unofficial flag of Canada from the early 20th century to 1965. However, the ensign was never formally adopted as a national flag.
  2. Arms of Canada began in 1868. However, an Admiralty warrant formally authorizing its use was not issued until 1892. The ensign's design was updated through order-in-council in 1922, and again in 1957.[1][2]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Colombo, John Robert (1 April 2021). "Canadian Red Ensign". www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca. Historica Canada. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  2. ^ "Canadian Red Ensign". www.gg.ca. Governor General of Canada. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d "History of the National Flag of Canada". canada.ca. Department of Canadian Heritage. 4 February 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  4. ^ a b Despatch No. 311, 12 December 1891, GG's Office, file 290A, Vol. 1, 1865-1937.
  5. ^ "Arms & Badges - Royal Arms of Canada, A Brief History". Royal Heraldry Society of Canada. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  6. ^ George Stanley, The Flags of Canada.[page needed]
  7. ^ a b "Ensigns". fraser.cc. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  8. ^ "A flag comes back to the fold". The Globe and Mail. The Woodbridge Company. 2 May 2007. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
  9. ^ a b c d e Wattie, Chris (2002). "Britain finally yields, will lend Vimy Ensign". National Post.
  10. ^ Inglis, Dave (1995). Vimy Ridge: 1917–1992, A Canadian Myth over Seventy Five Years. Burnaby: Simon Fraser University.
  11. ISBN 978-0-88920-508-6
    .
  12. ISSN 0269-9222
    .
  13. ^ a b c "Flag, Red Ensign, Canadian". Imperial War Museums. Archived from the original on 23 May 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
  14. ^ a b "Britain loans Canada Red Ensign carried by Canadians at Vimy Ridge". CBC News. 17 July 2002. Archived from the original on 9 November 2012. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
  15. ^ a b c Hamilton, Graeme (10 July 2017). "Former Canadian flag, the Red Ensign, gets new, darker life as far-right symbol". National Post. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  16. ^ Kamel, Zachary; Patriquin, Martin; Picazo, Alheli (8 February 2019). "Maxime Bernier's alt-right problem". The Toronto Star. Retrieved 10 June 2019.[permanent dead link]
  17. ^ "1936 Berlin Olympics Opening Ceremony". YouTube. International Olympic Committee. Archived from the original on 12 December 2021. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  18. ^ "Dominion Day and the "New" Canadian Flag". Barkerville Historic Town & Park. 1 July 2019. Archived from the original on 2 August 2019. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  19. ISBN 978-0-7748-1088-3
    .
  20. ^ "Ontario (Canada)". Flags of the World. Archived from the original on 18 January 2000. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  21. ^ "Manitoba (Canada)". Flags of the World. Archived from the original on 4 November 1999. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  22. ^ Carr, H. Gresham Flags of the World 1961
  23. ^ Mikkelson, David P. (20 February 2007). "Red Ensign Scare". Urban Legends Reference Pages. Retrieved 31 August 2007.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Canadian Red Ensign.
Wikiquote has quotations related to Canadian Red Ensign.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Canadian_Red_Ensign&oldid=1218687141"