A red maple leaf on white is a symbol of Canada recognized throughout the world. He is present in national symbols, depicted on the state flag. But what is the reason why maple has become so important to Canadians that they chose it as the symbol of their country?
The maple leaf, the symbol of Canada, has a long history. Even before the arrival of the first European settlers, the natives appreciated the taste of maple syrup, which is harvested in the east of the country in spring. Maple has also become a symbol of unity, peace and tranquility. However, the final choice of the symbol was preceded by some historical events.
The first reaction of MPs to the proposal to depict a red maple leaf on the flag of Canada was negative. Opposition members called this flag "a children's flag that does not reflect the country's cultural and historical heritage."
Historical facts
For the first time, the Canadian flag with the image of a red maple leaf was raised above the Parliament building on February 15, 1965. But according to historians, the maple tree has been considered a symbol of the country since 1700. In 1834, the Baptist Society of St. Jean chose the maple leaf as the emblem of the church. And in 1836 the newspaper "Le Canadien", published in Lower Canada, first called it the symbol of the country. In 1860, a maple leaf appeared on the cockades of the regiments of the Canadian army; it was also used in the decorations for the visit of the Prince of Wales that same year. In 1867, Alexander Muir wrote the Canadian anthem "Maple Leaf Forever", which existed for several decades in a row. In the same year, the image of the leaf appeared on a penny. In the period from 1876 to 1901. the maple leaf was depicted on all Canadian coins. To this day, two maple leaves on one branch are located on a penny coin in the form in which they were invented back in 1937. During the First World War, the maple leaf was an identification symbol of the Canadian Expeditionary Forces. However, starting in 1921, three green leaves became the hallmark of the Canadian army, which was replaced by red in 1957. And in February 1965, Canada proclaimed a new flag, which still exists today.
Until 1965, Canada did not have its own flag. Since the days of the Confederation, the Houses of Parliament have been decorated with the Union Jack, the national flag of Great Britain.
Why Maple Leaf?
The main rival of the maple leaf was the beaver, a symbol of industriousness and the fur trade that was nascent in the early 19th century. And in 1849, when the renowned Canadian engineer Sandford Fleming was asked to design the first Canadian postage stamp with an adhesive layer, he chose an image of a beaver building a dam near a waterfall. What spoke in favor of the maple leaf, however, is that it is easy to draw; it was red, one of the national colors of Canada. And besides, the fur trade remained in the past for Canada and was not associated with Canadians to the extent that it was in the 19th century.
