Niagara Region celebrated its 25th Anniversary in 1995. The Coat of Arms, developed through the offices of the Chief Herald of Canada and authorized by Queen Elizabeth II, was unveiled on October 21, 1995 at a re-enactment of the inaugural meeting of Regional Council.

The central element is the shield. It is a pictorial representation of Niagara past and present. Its green background represents the rich agricultural lands and abundant parks of the region. The blue and white band in the centre represents both the Niagara Escarpment and Niagara Falls, as well as the Welland Canal with its locks represented in the chevrons. The twelve blue chevrons also represent the twelve area municipalities linked together in the region. The gold lines represent the wealth which flows from the attributes of regional Niagara. The Royal Crown, in gold, symbolizes the first parliament in Ontario in Newark and the strong loyalist tradition. Its inclusion was approved personally by Queen Elizabeth II.

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The coronet, above the shield, is topped by a mythical "river lion" that holds a ceremonial native pipe, a "calumet", to honour Niagara's first inhabitants, the Neutral Nations and the Iroquoian Loyalists. The falling water represents Niagara, one of the natural wonders of the world. The roses and shells reproduce the emblems of the former counties of Welland and Lincoln.

The supporters, the eagle and the lion, are prominently featured in the personal arms of Sir Isaac Brock, a hero of the War of 1812 and the Battle of Queenston Heights. They symbolize strength, clarity of vision and courage. The coronets around their necks represent the loyalists and the military, both important parts of Niagara's beginnings and an influence today. The anchor denotes the importance of maritime commerce and recreational opportunities on our lakes. The cornucopia stands for our agricultural wealth.

The wavy lines underscore the importance of the Great Lakes and canal and rivers to Niagara region. The regional motto " UNITY * RESPONSIBILITY * LOYALTY " recognizes the important foundations of Niagara's history and imparts a vision of the future upon which generations may focus.

The flag reproduces the shield, in banner form, in proper heraldic tradition.

Official Blazon

The Official Blazon is the formal, legal description of the Coat of Arms in the language of medieval England. It is a combination of Latin, French and olde English.

In proper heraldic terms, the written description of Niagara's Coat of Arms is produced below in medieval style.

Arms

Vert a fess of twelve chevrons set in fess Azure couped in the centre with the sinister half raised towards the chief all cotised with a barrulet and in the canton a representation of the Royal Crown Or.

On a wreath Or and Vert issuant from a mural coronet Vert set with a frieze of shells alternating with roses Or a river lion Or and Argent rising from water Azure bearing on its shoulder a vase Vert mouth downwards from which pours water Azure its dexter forepaw upraised and bearing a calumet in pale Or.

UNITY * RESPONSIBILITY * LOYALTY

On a grassy mound Vert rising above barry wavy of three Argent Azure and Argent dexter a lion Or gorged with a loyalist military coronet Vert its dexter forepaw resting on a cornucopia also Or its mouth in base from which spill apples, grapes and peaches proper sinister an eagle Or gorged with a loyalist civil coronet Vert its sinister wing resting on an anchor Azure.