Length 58.0 cm x Width 33.8 cm
The official City of Kingston crest that has been mounted onto a rectangular shaped piece of wood. The crest consists of a shield in the centre with 5 wavy lines signifying Lake Ontario with a Martello Tower above. There is a single crown above the Martello Tower. The shield has two supporters a griffon segreant on the dexter and a lion rampant on the sinister. Along the bottom in ribbon is "PRO REGE // GREGE // ET LEGE". There is an image of a beaver at the top centre of the crest.
There are three central elements in the design of the shield. The Martello Tower is a unique, outstanding feature of Kingston’s waterfront and has symbolized the City for over 150 years. It symbolizes strength and firmness of resolve. Also, it represents Kingston’s extensive military connections and its lengthy historical development.
Above the Martello Tower is a golden Antique Crown representing the City of Kingston. The antique crown is the traditional heraldic symbol for municipal corporations.
The Blue and white waves represent the confluence of three bodies of water in Kingston: Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence River, and the Cataraqui River/Rideau Canal system. The red background of the shield depicts the national colour of Canada.
The Beaver symbolizes the fur trade that was the paramount reason for the founding of a settlement in the seventeenth century, which eventually became the City of Kingston. The Beaver is situated on a limestone rock that rises from the bodies of water that surround Kingston. Blue and white wavy bands symbolize the bodies of water. The red on the mantling (ribbons) symbolizes Canada’s national colour.
The two supporters are a griffin and a lion. The griffon commemorates Count Frontenac and the French foundation of the City of Kingston supports the Shield on the left. Count Frontenac used two of these mythical animals as Supporters in his Coat of Arms. On the right, the lion represents Kingston’s early British origins and is derived from the Coat of Arms of Canada. Also, it refers to the fact that for a short period in the mid-nineteenth century, Kingston was the seat of government of the United Provinces of Canada. The collar of Maple Leaves around the neck of each Supporter represents Canada and the rural aspects of the City of Kingston.
