National colours of Canada

The national colours of Canada (French: Couleurs nationales du Canada) were declared by King George V in 1921 to be red and white and are most prominently evident on the country's national flag. Red is symbolic of England and white of France, the colours having been used representatively by those countries in the past. The maple is one of the national symbols and red is the autumn colour of maple leaves.

Canada's national colours can trace their history to the First Crusade of the 11th century, during which Norman nobleman Bohemond I of Antioch distributed red crosses to the crusaders he led, so that they could affix them to their clothing "as a distinguishing mark". Thereafter, nations were identified by the colour of their cross, and in particular, England used a white cross on a red background and France a red cross on white. Eventually, France and England agreed to exchange their colours, and St George's Cross was adopted as an emblem of England. This was the flag used by John Cabot when he landed on the island of Newfoundland on his second voyage in 1497 under the commission of Henry VII of England. The two nations would eventually explore North America, where each claimed territory.

As a result of the proclamation of the Arms of Canada by King George V on 21 November 1921, red and white became Canada's official colours. The proclamation stated "a Royal helmet mantled argent doubled gules" and "a wreath of the colours argent and gules", in which argent refers to the colour white or silver, and gules to red, tinctures used to emblazon a coat of arms. In 1957, the Arms of Canada were modified—the maple leaves on the shield were changed from green to red "in recognition of Canada's official colours". The proclamation accepts both colours for the maple leaves, stating "three maple leaves conjoined on one stem proper", in which "proper" refers to the natural colour of the leaves, which is green in spring and summer, and red in autumn.

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