The name "Ontario" was first used for Lake Ontario. It meant "beautiful lake" or "sparkling water" in the Iroquois language. Early settlers named the land along the lake shore "Ontario". Ontario became a province in 1867.

Ontario's flag looks much like Canada's former flag, the Canadian Red Ensign. The Union Jack of Great Britain is in the corner. The shield is on the right side of the flag. It became the official provincial flag in 1965.

COAT OF ARMS

The shield has the English Cross of St. George on top.
This is a reminder of the early settlers who were English.
Three gold maple leaves sit on a green field .
Green and gold are the official colours of Ontario.
A moose and a deer are on either side of the shield.
A black bear is above the shield.
The motto is "Loyal she began, loyal she remains".

THE WHITE TRILLIUM

This flower grows freely in the woodlands .
Three white waxy petals form each flower.
It blossoms in late April and in May.
The blooms are very sensitive to sunlight .
The blossoms are usually facing the sun.
The Trillium is a protected plant.

OTHER EMBLEMS

• bird - the Common Loon
  
• tree - White Pine
  
• gem - Purple Amethyst