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Sherbrooke, Quebec (Canada)

Last modified: 2020-06-13 by rob raeside
Keywords: sherbrooke | quebec | crown | fleur-de-lis | wheat palm | lightening bolts | spear |
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[Quebec Urban Community] 1:2 image by Eugene Ipavec
Source: Canadian City Flags, Raven 18

See also:


Sherbrooke

Sherbrooke is a city in southern Quebec, situated at the confluence of the Saint-François (St. Francis) and Magog rivers in the heart of the Estrie administrative region.

Sherbrooke has two universities: Université de Sherbrooke (French language) and Bishop's (English language).
Luc Baronian, 8 May 2005


Current Flag

Text and image(s) from Canadian City Flags, Raven 18 (2011), courtesy of the North American Vexillological Association, which retains copyright. Image(s) by permission of Eugene Ipavec.

Design

The flag of the City of Sherbrook has a white field with the city’s coat of arms in the centre with SHERBROOKE curving below in yellow serif letters outlined in black. The arms and inscription below are nearly the full height of the flag. The simple shield has a horizontal top and simply curved sides, spreading outward from the top slightly before forming a pointed “U” shape. It is yellow, divided by a wide wavy “Y” shape in blue running to the upper corners and the point of the base. In the centre of the “Y” is a six-pointed star in silver with a central hole (a heraldic “mullet”, called by the city a “moletta”); in each upper arm of the “Y” is a one-angled lightning bolt with an arrow tip and in the lower arm is a spear, all pointing upward, in silver. Above the “Y” is a red rose; to the right and the left is a blue fleur-de-lis, all with black details. Above the shield is a seven-towered mural crown in yellow and black. Flanking both sides of the shield are palm fronds in green; below is a ribbon in light blue inscribed in two parts NE QUID NIMIS in black sans-serif letters.
Luc Baronian, Canadian City Flags, Raven 18, 2011

Symbolism

The city’s documentation interprets the coat of arms:
The seven-tower crown symbolizes the fact that Sherbrooke is the Queen of the Eastern Townships [of Québec] or Estrie. The fleurs-de-lis and the rose represent respectively the French and English elements of the city. Gold symbolizes generosity and prosperity; azure [blue], the aspiration towards an elevated ideal. The Y shape represents the Saint-François and Magog Rivers meeting at the place known as the Grandes Fourches (Great Forks). The silver moletta, an emblem of diligence and untarnished honour, is taken from the arms of Canadian Governor General Sir John Coape Sherbrooke [for whom the city was renamed in 1818]. The two lightning bolts symbolize electricity, a valuable resource of the “City of Electricity”. The spear represents St. Michael, patron of the cathedral/basilica. The palms are of the colour of rising wheat, symbolising the entrepreneurship spirit, the confidence in the future, as well as the green of the numerous parks. The [Latin] motto NE QUID NIMIS means “nothing in excess”, and was Sherbrooke's family motto.

Luc Baronian, Canadian City Flags, Raven 18, 2011

Selection

Unknown.
Luc Baronian, Canadian City Flags, Raven 18, 2011

Designer

Unknown.
Luc Baronian, Canadian City Flags, Raven 18, 2011

More about the Flag

This flag and arms were used by the City of Sherbrooke before its merger with the other municipalities of Sherbrooke County in 2002. 
Luc Baronian, Canadian City Flags, Raven 18, 2011