Coat of Arms

The armorial bearings of the Archdiocese of Vancouver are described as follows in the technical language of heraldry:

Or on a base barry wavy of four Azure and Argent a lymphad Azure flying sail Argent charged with a Latin Cross Or funbriated Azure net issuant from the hull Or and in sinister chief a mullet Argent funbriated Azure on a chief dancetty Azure the Chi-Rho Or between dexter a rose Argent seeded Or barbed Vert and sinister a dogwood flower Argent seeded Or leaved Vert; And for a Crest: A mitre of the Roman Catholic Church of Canada Argent with orphrey Or display three + + + crosses flory Azure with infulae Argent doubled Azure each displaying a Latin cross the three upper arms érablé Gules.

The main element of the shield is a ship in sail, representing the barque of Peter but also recalling the coat of arms of the City of New Westminster, where the diocese was founded, and of Vancouver, where the Archdiocese is seated. A net cast overboard highlights the Petrine symbolism and recalls Matthew 4:18. The full sail denotes the church in its vigour. The waves beneath reflect proximity to the ocean; similar waves appear on both the Vancouver and British Columbia coats of arms.
       The three chevron shapes are a stylized heraldic rendering of mountains, the backdrop to the city of Vancouver. The three represent Hollyburn, Grouse and Seymour mountaintops.
       The Chi-Rho represents the Greek monogram for Christ.
       The heraldic rose symbolizes the Cathedral's dedication to Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, while the dogwood is the floral symbol of the province of British Columbia.
       The precious mitre is a standard element of diocesan armorial bearings.