SHIELD:      Red background, with 2 gold leopards, one over the other, with a gold banner, overcast with a lantern on a sand background with three matching lightning flashes; two in the shape of Andrew’s cross and the other through the center.

 

EXTERIOR ORNAMENTATION:

 

CROWN:     It’s a symbol at the top of the shield and denoting an honor, a profession or a group.

Here the “Viking Helmet” emphasizes the Nordic ancestors of the Leclerc family.

 

BORDERS:            The borders are figures placed outside and on each side of the shield. They are comprised of inanimate objects. The incorporation of intertwined vines signifies the establishment of the first ancestors on Ile d’Orleans, christened “Ile of Bacchus” by Chartier.

 

MOTTO:      “Dignity of our Fathers”

 

DESIGNER: This coat of arms was drafted and designed by Father Lucien Godbout of the Quebec Seminary in July 1962.

 

GENERAL SYMBOLISM of this Coat of Arms:

 

EXTERIOR ORNAMENTATION:

 

CROWN:     The Viking helmet recalls the Nordic origins of the Leclerc family ancestors.

 

BORDERS:  As we said earlier, the 2 sets of vines were chosen

To symbolize the migration of Leclercs to Ile d’Orleans, called Bacchus by Chartier.

 

 

 

BANNER:    Motto: “Dignity of our Fathers”.   

This motto indicates the attachment of the Leclercs to their ancestors.

 

SHIELD:      The red background symbolizes the ardor of the ancestors

To defend their rights and their language.

 

LEOPARDS: These 2 leopards are found in the arms of Normandy and represent plenty. They recall the origins of the first Leclercs who, having left Normandy, established themselves at Ile d’Orleans.

 

GOLD:         The gold signifies the material wealth, that of the Isle and that of Normandy. The combination of the gold and red signifies the spiritual richness, that of spirit, will and courage. Our ancestors were rich in virtue and in talents and this shield characterizes their spiritual and material valor.

 

BANNER:    The banner is a place of honor. The place of honor is to be found on all noble and rich shields like a glorious or honorable title. The Leclerc family did not have noble rank or blood, but they had nobility of heart and spirit, which they wanted to pass down to their descendants.

 

 

LANTERN:  The fisherman’s light or lantern reminds us of legends of sorcerers and of fireflies of Ile d’Orleans. The light of the lantern is the primary symbol to be associated with the Leclerc name.

 

SABLE:        Sable also means black. Black is the most symbolic color. It is the color of mystery, that of great truths and that also of legends. It could not be better suited to the lantern...and its symbolism.

 

LIGHTING: We have assumed the symbolism of the lightning. The Leclerc name easily relates to it. The number three is required for harmony.

It also symbolizes the three domains from which every individual and family blossoms, for instance: the family, the society and the church, or of family, social and religious order.          

They also symbolize faith, speech and intellect.

 

HELMET:     The helmet of white metal emphasizes the desire for peace, which every member of the Leclerc family wishes to spread among themselves and throughout mankind.

 

VINES:        The vines, green and red, express the strong and profound union between all Leclercs and the respective valor of each of the Leclerc families.

 

 

Definition of the heraldic terms of the crest.

 

GUEULES:   This term signifies that the background will be red.

‘De Gueules’ comes from the Arabic word “ghiul” red, and also recalls the red stains of animal blood. Red is one of six heraldic colors. We intersect it with black and white vertical lines or hash marks.

 

LEOPARD:  The leopards as drawn are not just lions with some of their essential elements modified. Their faces are always facing forward and their tongues hanging out. The tail switches back with the tuft facing backward. The front right foot is always raised. They should be styled like all the designs appearing on a shield. They contain no shadow or perspective

 

GOLD:         It is an appropriate metallic yellow, etched by an engraver.

 

 

 

 

OVER &:     This expression sounds like the 2 leopards would be placed one

UNDER        on the other, but it means a shadow arrangement.

 

 

BANNER:    The word “chef” in summary means a symbol of honor at the head and in the foreground, and on the red background

 

GOLD:         This symbol of honor will be yellow as outlined above.

 

OVERCAST:          This expression indicates that the lantern will be placed over the gold banner.

 

LAMP:         A Mariner’s lantern simply designed in the heraldic fashion.

 

SABLE:        The lantern will be black as indicated by the expression “de sable”.

Darkness is represented by employing perpendicular vertical & horizontal hash marks.

 

LIGHTNING:         The position of the lightnings is logically assumed to be positioned with the lantern. It is evident that they emit from the center of the lantern.

 

BACK-         We assume therefore that it is comprised of the color named

GROUND:    previously. We mean that it is comprised ‘of the same paint.

 

CROSS:       The lightnings are in the form of a St. Andrew’s Cross X. That is the meaning of this expression.

 

CENTER:     The third lightning will pass horizontally through the center.

The word “center” indicates the precise placement.