Saint-Basile-le-Grand, Quebec

CanadaQuebecCities

Nov 24

The flag of Saint-Basile-le-Grand, a city in Quebec's Montérégie region, is a symbol that encapsulates the community's heritage, values, and identity. The flag prominently features the city's coat of arms, which was designed by heraldist André Genest in 1969.

The flag's design centers around the coat of arms, which is set against a white field. Beneath the coat of arms, the name "Saint-Basile-le-Grand" is inscribed, typically in gold lettering.

The coat of arms itself is rich in symbolism. The shield's design a crown against a red background on the left, while the on the right side at the top is blue chevron on a grey background at the top and a gold horse on a green background at the bottom. Below the shield in the town motto on a scroll while the entire shield is surrounded by green maple leaves. Below the shield is the town’s name in black text.

Saint-Basile-le-Grand was established on June 15, 1871, from territories previously part of Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville and Saint-Joseph-de-Chambly. The city derives its name from both Saint Basil the Great, a 4th-century bishop of Caesarea, and Basile Daigneault, the first mayor and a significant contributor to the community's development.

Over the years, the flag has seen variations in its design. An earlier version, observed in December 2005, displayed the coat of arms with the city's name beneath it in a "dirty" yellow, likely intended as gold. The horse's head in the coat of arms appeared slightly different in this variant. The current version maintains the white field and coat of arms but features black text for the city's name below.

The flag serves as a visual representation of Saint-Basile-le-Grand's identity, reflecting its history, values, and aspirations. The incorporation of the coat of arms signifies a deep respect for the city's heritage and the contributions of its founders. The royal crown symbolizes the community's noble character and its connection to the broader historical and cultural narratives of Quebec.