Provincial emblems

The other day I was reading our department newsletter and was stunned to read the following headline:

“Provincial shield available for use by all Albertans.”  

What?!  I had no idea Albertans were engaged in a battle requiring this sort of protection. Is there some kind of medieval battle going on out there that I don't know about?

Luckily, the newsletter article contained a picture of the provincial shield in question and put my over-active imagination at rest.  The article explained that "the provincial shield was available for use by all Albertans to showcase their provincial pride without restriction or permission."   Wow, how great is that!  I am going to take up this exciting offer right now and proudly display the provincial shield right here on this Alberta-based blog.

According to the newsletter, the provincial shield was recently designated as Alberta’s 13^th official emblem.  Wait a minute!  Alberta has 13 official emblems?  I know the wild rose is the official floral emblem, but what are the other 12?  Anyone else out there have any idea?

Well, lucky for us, there is an Emblems of Alberta website that lists all 13 emblems, complete with history and pictures.  The first three are pretty standard: the Alberta Coat of Arms, the above mentioned Provincial Shield, and the Flag of Alberta.

But the next ones are kind of fun, like the Alberta Tartan, the Bird of Alberta, the Stone of Alberta, and the Grass Emblem.  Hey, we have an official grass!  Who knew!   

Here, for your edification, are some of the more interesting emblems of Alberta.

• Floral Emblem:  Wild Rose

• Grass Emblem:  Rough Fescue

• Bird of Alberta:  Great Horned Owl

• Stone of Alberta:  Petrified Wood

• Tree of Alberta:  Lodgepole Pine

• Mammal of Alberta:  Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep

• Fish of Alberta:  Bull Trout

• Provincial Colours:  blue and gold

There’s also an Alberta song called, appropriately enough, “Alberta”.   

You can see images of each of the emblems here, including pictures of the Alberta Tartan and the Alberta Dress Tartan.  It’s interesting to read what each of the colours of the tartan represent, as well as the reasons for each of the other emblem choices.

So get out there, my fellow Albertans, and wear your Alberta tartan with pride.  Or at least make some good use of the Alberta shield!