BRITISH COLUMBIA

"British " - began as a British Colony. "Columbia " - the river "Columbia" ; named after an explorer's ship B.C. became a province in 1871. The B.C. flag design was taken from the shield. At the top is the flag of the United Kingdom since this province was once a British colony. Below is a half sun on blue waves. The waves are for the Pacific Ocean off the B.C. coast. The setting sun represents the most westerly province. It became the official provincial flag in 1960. The symbols on the flag are the same as those on the shield. The stag and the ram represent the union of B.C. and Vancouver Island in 1886. Dogwood flowers are at the bottom. The motto means "spendor without diminishment". THE PACIFIC DOGWOOD This flower is the floral emblem of Britsh Columbia. It grows best in the southwestern forests of B.C. (on Vancouver Island and along the Fraser River ). The Dogwood is a tree that is full of many white blossoms in April and May. In the fall clusters of bright red berries are produced. The hard wood is good for cabinet-making. The tree is on the list of provincial plants protected by law. OTHER EMBLEMS: bird - Stellar's Jay mineral - Jade; a green gem used for jewellery and sculptures tree - Western Red Cedar; grows up to 60 m. high BACK | NEXT http://www.saskschools.ca/~gregory/canada/emblems/bc.html