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Kingston, Ontario

by Chris Kretowicz

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Heraldic symbols and the flag were presented to the City of Kingston on 27 June, 2000, by the Canadian Heraldic Authority, following the amalgamation of the Township of Kingston, the City of Kingston, and the Township of Pittsburgh in 1998 to form the new City of Kingston. These three entities are represented by the three antique crowns on the shield and flag. The antique crown is the traditional symbol for municipal corporations.

Kingston's coat of arms can be seen at http://www.city.kingston.on.ca/coat.asp. Based on information in the city's web page, Kingston's shield shows a Martello Tower above five white and blue waves, surmounted by three antique crowns. The bearers are a griffin and a lion, and the crest is surmounted by a beaver. The city's motto below is ANTIQUITATE CIVITATE HUMANITATE (which may be freely translated as "A Civil and Creative Community with a Proud Past").

Kingston's flag is a banner of arms, showing the Martello Tower above three white and blue waves, with the three antique crowns in the upper fly. The Martello Tower is a unique, outstanding feature of Kingston's waterfront, and has symbolized the city for over 150 years. It symbolizes strength and firmness of resolve. Also it represents Kingston's extensive military connections and its lengthy historical development. The waves represent the confluence of three bodies of water at Kingston, Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence River, and the Cataraqui-Rideau Canal system. The red field of the shield and flag depicts [one of] the national colours of Canada. The three antique crowns are placed two and one on the upper fly, to reflect the geographical arrangement of the three former municipalities that combined to form the City of Kingston.
Chris Kretowicz, 19 August 2002