Canadian Symbols You Must Know for the Citizenship Test
Canadian symbols are part of Discover Canada. This guide organizes facts about the flag, coat of arms, anthem and other emblems for review. Read the official guide alongside these exercises; no fixed share of test questions is published for this topic.
Why Symbols Appear on the Test
Canadian symbols are covered in Discover Canada. IRCC does not publish a fixed number of questions for each topic. Review the whole guide; the official passing score is 15 correct answers out of 20.
Review the flag, anthem, coat of arms, motto and other symbols discussed in the official guide. The provincial flower table below is additional reference material, not a prediction of test questions.
The Canadian Flag
The Canadian flag was officially adopted on February 15, 1965 — making Canada one of the few major countries to have adopted its current flag within living memory. Key facts you must know:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Official adoption date | February 15, 1965 |
| Colors | Red and white — the official colors of Canada since the reign of King George V |
| Design | A red maple leaf with 11 points on a white square background, flanked by two red vertical bars |
| Nickname | The Maple Leaf flag |
| Previous flag | The Canadian Red Ensign (used before 1965) |
The date 1965 is a common test question. Canada used the British-influenced Canadian Red Ensign for decades before adopting its own distinct flag.
Coat of Arms and Motto
Canada's coat of arms was first granted by Royal Proclamation in 1921. The Royal Arms of Canada appears on official government documents, currency, and federal buildings.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Motto | A Mari Usque Ad Mare — "From Sea to Sea" |
| Motto source | Psalm 72:8 in the Bible |
| First granted | 1921, by Royal Proclamation of King George V |
| Shield elements | Three lions (England), lion rampant (Scotland), harp (Ireland), fleurs-de-lis (France), maple leaves (Canada) |
| Supporters | A lion holding the Union Flag and a unicorn holding the Royal Banner of France |
Know the motto in both languages: "A Mari Usque Ad Mare" (Latin) and "D'un océan à l'autre" (French) — "From Sea to Sea" (English).
National Anthem — O Canada
O Canada was proclaimed Canada's national anthem on July 1, 1980 — making 1980 the official year for test purposes.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Official anthem since | 1980 (proclaimed on July 1) |
| Original composition | 1880, written by Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier (French) and later Robert Stanley Weir (English) |
| Languages | Both English and French versions are official |
"O Canada! Our home and native land! True patriot love in all of us command. With glowing hearts we see thee rise, The True North strong and free!"
"Ô Canada! Terre de nos aïeux, Ton front est ceint de fleurons glorieux! Car ton bras sait porter l'épée, Il sait porter la croix!"
Know the year 1980. The anthem was composed much earlier (1880), but officially proclaimed in 1980. The test asks about official proclamation.
Provincial Flowers and Symbols
Each Canadian province and territory has an official floral emblem. These occasionally appear on the citizenship test:
| Province / Territory | Official Floral Emblem |
|---|---|
| Ontario | White Trillium |
| Quebec | Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolore) |
| British Columbia | Pacific Dogwood |
| Alberta | Wild Rose |
| Manitoba | Prairie Crocus |
| Saskatchewan | Western Red Lily |
| Nova Scotia | Mayflower (Trailing Arbutus) |
| New Brunswick | Purple Violet |
| Prince Edward Island | Pink Lady's Slipper |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | Pitcher Plant |
| Northwest Territories | Mountain Avens |
| Yukon | Fireweed |
| Nunavut | Purple Saxifrage |
Use the table as a reference or make province-and-flower flash cards. Do not prioritize flowers over reading the complete official guide.
Other National Symbols
Review these additional national symbols:
| Symbol | Key Facts |
|---|---|
| Beaver | Declared an official symbol of Canada in 1975. The beaver represents Canada's history in the fur trade and its industrious nature. |
| Hockey | Canada's national winter sport (officially). Lacrosse is Canada's national summer sport. |
| Maple Leaf | Symbol of Canada since the 1700s — used on coins, the flag, and the national anthem. The maple tree is Canada's arboreal emblem. |
| Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) | The "Mounties" in their red serge uniforms are a recognized symbol of Canada worldwide. The RCMP was founded in 1873. |
| Canadian horse (Cheval Canadien) | A heritage breed of horse, officially recognized as a national symbol. |
How to Memorize Symbols for the Test
Symbols are among the easiest topics to lock in with a few focused techniques:
1. Group by dates
Flag: 1965. Anthem: 1980. Coat of arms: 1921. Beaver official symbol: 1975. Check these facts against the guide and review other symbols too.
2. Use the "sea to sea" anchor
Canada's motto (A Mari Usque Ad Mare) literally describes Canada's geography — from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Visual association: picture driving across Canada from coast to coast.
3. Anthem by language
Know that O Canada has official versions in both English and French — and that it was officially proclaimed in 1980, not 1880 (the composition year).
4. Beaver and hockey
Beaver = winter heritage (fur trade). Hockey = national winter sport. Lacrosse = national summer sport. Group these facts together in your study notes.
5. Flash cards for provincial flowers
Provincial flowers need repetition. Create flash cards: province on one side, flower on the other. Test yourself until you score 10/13 or better.
Test Your Knowledge of Canadian Symbols
Our chapter-based practice tests include dedicated symbol questions to help you practise recalling facts from Discover Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year was the Canadian flag adopted?
The Canadian flag (the Maple Leaf) was officially adopted on February 15, 1965. Before 1965, Canada used the Canadian Red Ensign as its de facto national flag.
What is Canada's national motto?
Canada's national motto is "A Mari Usque Ad Mare" — a Latin phrase meaning "From Sea to Sea." It comes from Psalm 72:8 and refers to Canada's vast geography stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
What year did O Canada become the official national anthem?
O Canada was officially proclaimed Canada's national anthem on July 1, 1980. It was originally composed in 1880 but did not become the official anthem until 100 years later.
What is Canada's national animal?
The beaver is Canada's official national animal, declared a symbol of Canada in 1975. The RCMP horse and the Canadian horse are also recognized heritage symbols, but the beaver is the primary national animal for test purposes.
What are Canada's national sports?
Canada has two national sports: hockey (national winter sport) and lacrosse (national summer sport). Both are important for the citizenship test.
What is the floral emblem of Ontario?
Ontario's official floral emblem is the White Trillium.
What does Canada's coat of arms represent?
Canada's coat of arms reflects the country's heritage: three lions represent England, a rampant lion represents Scotland, a harp represents Ireland, fleurs-de-lis represent France, and maple leaves represent Canada. The motto "A Mari Usque Ad Mare" means "From Sea to Sea."
What colors are on the Canadian flag?
The Canadian flag uses red and white — the official national colors of Canada. These colors were officially granted to Canada by King George V in 1921. The flag features a red maple leaf on a white background flanked by two red bars.