Nova Scotia was named by Sir William Alexander who, in 1621, received a grant to all the land between New England and Newfoundland from King James VI of Scotland (King James I of England). The official charter was in Latin and the name, “New Scotland,” retained its Latin form — Nova Scotia.

History:

The Mi’Kmaq Indians of the Algonquin linguistic group inhabited Nova Scotia long before the first explorers arrived from Europe. The Mi’Kmaq were among the first natives to see Europeans. The Mi’Kmaq allied themselves with the French throughout the early periods in Canadian history, helping them adjust to the land and fight against the British. All of Nova Scotia, as well as parts of Quebec, New Brunswick and Maine, was originally known as Acadia and mainly settled by the French. Pierre de Monts established the first successful agricultural settlement in Canada, at Port-Royal (now Annapolis Royal) in 1605. For the next century, the British and the French feuded over the area. Control passed back and forth until 1713, when all of Acadia, except Cape Breton Island (then Îsle Royale), was ceded to the British under the Treaty of Utrecht. Conflict between Britain and France continued. The Acadians tried to convince both sides of their neutrality but by 1755, just before the outbreak of the Seven Years War, the British decided the Acadians posed too great a security threat. They expelled all Acadians who would not swear allegiance to the British Crown. Many returned to France, some settled in New France and many others moved to the United States. Some who sided with the British chose to remain and they retained their land. After the Seven Years War, the colony of Nova Scotia included Prince Edward Island, Cape Breton Island and the area now known as New Brunswick. In 1784, after a great influx of loyalist refugees from the United States, Nova Scotia was partitioned to create the colonies of New Brunswick and Cape Breton Island. However, Cape Breton again became part of Nova Scotia in 1820. Prince Edward Island had separated from Nova Scotia in 1769.Although Nova Scotia was an original member of Confederation, there was a strong movement within the province to repeal the union. On July 1, 1867, some shops in Nova Scotia were hung with black crepe in mourning, For several years after, many Nova Scotians flew the flag at half mast on July 1. Date of Entry into Confederation Nova Scotia was among the first four provinces to form the Dominion of Canada at Confederation on July 1, 1867. Armorial Bearings Adopted: A coat of arms was first granted in 1625. It was reinstated by royal warrant of King George V on January 19, 1929 to supersede the second coat of arms granted in May 1868. Description: The shield features the Scottish Cross of St. Andrew. To differentiate between the mother country and New Scotland, however, the colours of the cross are reversed: blue on white. At the centre is the inescutcheon of the Royal Arms of Scotland, containing a royal lion within a double red border on a field of yellow or gold. In the crest are two hands, one armed and the other bare, supporting a laurel and a thistle. One interpretation of this has the armed hand and the thistle representing the vow of the King of the Scots to protect his subjects, and the bare hand and the laurel sprig representing the conquest of the difficulties to be met in Nova Scotia. The laurel sprig is a symbol of peace, triumph and conquest. The crowned unicorn is one of the supporters of the shield, and is part of the royal armorial bearings of Scotland. The other supporter is an aboriginal, representing the native Indian population. Unlike the aboriginals that support the Newfoundland shield, this is a 17th century European representation. A royal helmet - one that faces forward -rests on the shield. A feature of the Nova Scotia arms, unique among the provincial and territorial armorial bearings, is that the motto is placed above the arms, a common practice in Scotland.Nova Scotia was the only province to have had a coat of arms annulled. When Nova Scotia joined Confederation, it was awarded a new coat of arms, just as were the other new provinces. Unlike the others, however, Nova Scotia had already been granted one. After the First World War, there was a movement to restore the old arms. This change received royal approval in 1929.

Motto: MUNIT HAEC ET ALTERA VINCIT (One defends and the other            conquers)

Flag:

The flag of Nova Scotia was the first flag in the overseas Commonwealth to be authorized by royal charter. It is derived from the ancient arms granted in 1625 by King Charles I. Description: The flag consists of the shield extended in a rectangular shape. Proportion: Four by length and three by width Floral Emblem Adopted: April 1901 Description: The mayflower, also known as trailing arbutus, blooms in the forest glades of early spring, often amid the last remaining snows of winter. The pink flowers are delicately scented and grow on stems from 15 to 30 cm long. It derives its name from the Pilgrims who saw it as the first flower of spring and named it after the ship that brought them to Plymouth Rock.

Other Provincial Symbols -Tartan: The Nova Scotia Tartan firstprovincial-territorial                                                    tartan in Canada; registered with the Court of                                                    the Lord Lyon, King of Arms of Scotland,                                                    1956).

                                       Tree:  Red Spruce

                                       Bird: Osprey
    
                                       Dog: Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

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