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Heraldic terms :
· Chef : top section;
· Contre chef : section under the chef;
· Abîme : the lower section;
· Dextre : the right side from the perspective of the one wearing the shield;
· Senestre : the left side from the perspective of the one wearing the shield.
· Hachures : vertical bars représenting the trace on the ground;
· Listel : banderole under shield with the family name.
Colors of the tinctures:
· Azure ...... blue;
· Gueule .... red;
· Sinople ... green;
· Sable ...... sand;
· Golden ... gold;
· White ..... silver.
Significance of the Messier Coat of Arms
The shield, in the French Modern style, is comprised of three sections which are listed as follows :
· The chef : the top part;
· The contre chef : under the chef;
· The abime: the lower, third part.
The chef, top section : in azure blue for point of honour; golden rays of sun symbolizing the Messier’ ardour and tenacity in bringing in the harvest.
The second section, the contre chef : white and green mountains symbolizing the two seasons – summer and winter – as well as the beautiful hills of the Richelieu Valley.
The lower, third section : in red, the colour of courage and of blood shed by the first settlers of New France. The lines, plow furrows symbolizing the land under cultivaton.
To the “destre” are two golden leopards – climbing, watchful – the emblem found on the Normandy coat-of-arms, the ancestral home of the Messier.
To the “senestre”, the “fleur de lys”, emblem of the Kings of France.
In the centre of the lower section, in gold, three wheat stalks symbolizing Jacques, Michel and Martine who, by their courage, contributed to the expansion of the colony.
The contour of the shield is in gold and sable black.
Under the shield is the band, in gold, bearing the inscription “Messier”.
Realized by Gaston Messier
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