The common seal of the City of Saint John is our unofficial flag and symbol.  By usage, it has also been adopted as the City crest.  The design for this seal was approved at the second meeting of Common Council on May 26, 1785.

Graphic Elements

The crest consists of a shield supported by two moose.  These depict the abundance of game life which then existed in the province.  The moose has been described as "monarch of the forest."

The shield is divided into four quarters.  The upper left quarter consists of a large fish, a fish barrel and four smaller fish.  This is emblematic of the fact that fishing was a major industry in the city at that time.

The upper right quarter depicts trees with a shining sun.  This is emblematic of the large forests which were the basis of commerce when the province was founded and which, even today, provide a major part of our economic base.

The lower left quarter depicts two sailing ships of the age.  Saint John was well known as a shipping port and a shipbuilding centre.  During the mid-nineteenth century, Saint John was the fourth largest port of registry in the British Empire.

The lower right quarter depicts two beavers.  Beaver pelts were a very important trading item at the original founding of the city and many years previously.  The beaver was also though of as an allegorical figure to describe the industry and enterprise of the early settlers.  The beaver is also a heraldic figure peculiar to Canada.

The shield is surmounted by a crown emblematic of the continued loyalty to the crown which resulted in the arrival of the United Empire Loyalists in 1783 and the subsequent founding of our City in 1785.

The Motto

Our motto, shown in Latin in the scrolling ribbon supporting the two moose and the shield, is:
O FORTUNATI MOENIA SURGUNT QUORUM JAM