Canadian symbols for the citizenship test: flag, anthem and more
The Canadian symbols on the citizenship test come from one Discover Canada chapter: the Crown, the maple leaf flag first raised in 1965, O Canada proclaimed in 1980, the motto "from sea to sea", hockey and lacrosse, the beaver, the official languages and national holidays. They are some of the easiest points on the test.
Below is each symbol with the facts the guide gives, plus one change since the guide was written. igotcitizenship is an independent study app and is not affiliated with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The full chapter is free on canada.ca: Canadian Symbols.
Symbols at a glance
| Symbol | The fact to know |
|---|---|
| The Crown | A symbol of the state in Canada for 400 years; Canada has been a constitutional monarchy since 1867 |
| The flag | The maple leaf flag was first raised in 1965 |
| The maple leaf | Canada's best-known symbol |
| The fleur-de-lys | Symbol of French royalty; Quebec adopted its own flag in 1948 |
| Coat of arms and motto | A Mari Usque Ad Mare, Latin for "from sea to sea" |
| The Peace Tower | Completed in 1927 in memory of the First World War |
| National winter sport | Hockey |
| National summer sport | Lacrosse |
| The beaver | On the five-cent coin |
| Official languages | English and French; the Official Languages Act passed in 1969 |
| National anthem | O Canada, proclaimed in 1980 and first sung in 1880 |
| Highest honour | The Victoria Cross |
The Crown and the flag
The Crown is a symbol of government, including Parliament, the legislatures, the courts, police services and the Canadian Forces. Today the Sovereign is King Charles III; the guide refers to the Queen because it predates the current reign.
The maple leaf flag was first raised in 1965. Its red-white-red pattern comes from the flag of the Royal Military College in Kingston, and red and white have been Canada's national colours since 1921. The Union Jack is the official Royal Flag, and the Canadian Red Ensign served as the flag for about 100 years before 1965.
The maple leaf, the fleur-de-lys and the coat of arms
French-Canadians adopted maple leaves as a symbol in the 1700s, and they have appeared on Canadian uniforms since the 1850s. The fleur-de-lys was the symbol of French royalty and of New France. After the First World War, Canada adopted a coat of arms and the motto A Mari Usque Ad Mare, "from sea to sea".
Parliament Buildings
The Parliament Buildings were completed in the 1860s. The Centre Block burned in 1916 and was rebuilt by 1922; the Library is the only part of the original building left. The Peace Tower, completed in 1927, holds the Books of Remembrance with the names of those who died serving Canada.
Sports
- Hockey is the national winter sport and the most popular spectator sport. The Stanley Cup was donated by Lord Stanley, a Governor General, in 1892.
- Lacrosse, first played by Aboriginal peoples, is the official summer sport.
- Canadian football is the second most popular sport, and soccer has the most registered players.
The beaver and the official languages
The beaver was a symbol of the Hudson's Bay Company and appears on the five-cent coin. English and French are the two official languages, and the Official Languages Act of 1969 set out to make them equal in Parliament and the Government of Canada.
O Canada, and one change since the guide
O Canada was proclaimed the national anthem in 1980, a century after it was first sung in Québec City in 1880. Since the guide was written, the English lyrics have changed: in 2018, legislation changed "in all thy sons command" to "in all of us command" (Canadian Heritage). Learn the current words; the guide prints the older line. Our list of what has changed since Discover Canada covers other updates.
The Royal Anthem, God Save the King, can be played or sung to honour the Sovereign.
Honours and holidays
Canada began its own honours system with the Order of Canada in 1967. The Victoria Cross is the highest honour available to Canadians.
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Vimy Day | April 9 |
| Canada Day | July 1 |
| Remembrance Day | November 11 |
| Victoria Day | The Monday before May 25 |
| Thanksgiving | The second Monday of October |
| Labour Day | The first Monday of September |
Frequently asked questions
What is Canada's national summer sport?
Lacrosse. Hockey is the national winter sport.
When was the Canadian flag first raised?
In 1965.
What does A Mari Usque Ad Mare mean?
"From sea to sea", Canada's national motto.
When did O Canada become the national anthem?
It was proclaimed the national anthem in 1980. It was first sung in 1880.
Which animal is on the five-cent coin?
The beaver.
Symbols are quick points to bank. Check them in a free practice test, or see our practice questions and answers.