Leafs Forever

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The maple leaf's journey from a French Canadian emblem along the Saint Lawrence River to a global hockey icon is well documented. In 1834, Jacques Viger championed it at the inaugural meeting of the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Society, calling it 'the symbol of the Canadian people.' Its adoption accelerated in 1867 when Alexander Muir composed 'The Maple Leaf Forever,' a song that remains tied to the national identity. The leaf appeared on all Canadian coins from 1876 until 1901 and remained on the penny after that date. In 1868, it featured in the coats of arms for Ontario and Quebec, historically distinguished by golden (Ontario) and green (Quebec) variations respectively. By 1921, it was added to the Canadian coat of arms, though its color shifted from green to red in 1957. The Toronto team’s adoption of this symbol aligns with these historical milestones, utilizing a design that reflects the ten native maple species found across every province.

In Their Own Story

The evolution of the leaf's visual representation mirrors the changing identity of Canada itself. Earlier official uses often featured more than 30 points and a short stem. However, the current national standard, introduced with the flag in 1965, utilizes a highly stylized eleven-pointed maple leaf suggested by George F. G. Stanley and sponsored by MP John Matheson. This design refers to no specific species but represents all ten native types. Before this unification, the leaf had already served as a badge for the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War and adorned the sun helmets of soldiers in the Second Boer War starting from the 1890s. The transition from a generic, multi-pointed design to the specific eleven-pointed version marks a turning point where the symbol became strictly defined, much like the branding of sports teams that later adopted it.

Reader's Guide

The symbol appeared on Canadian coins from 1876 to 1901 and remained on the penny thereafter. In 1957, the color on the Canadian arms changed from green to red, a shift reflecting that some leaves are naturally red even in spring. For those interested in the flag itself, it features an eleven-pointed leaf, distinct from earlier designs with over 30 points. The Royal Canadian Mint has produced gold, silver, platinum, and palladium bullion coins officially known as 'Maple Leafs' since 1979, featuring geometric maple leaves. Additionally, the Trans-Canada Highway uses a white maple leaf on a green background for signage. These elements provide concrete touchpoints for understanding the symbol's evolution beyond just the hockey team.

Did You Know?

• Alexander Muir composed 'The Maple Leaf Forever' in 1867, before the Toronto franchise existed.
• Historically, the golden maple leaf represented Ontario while the green maple leaf represented Quebec until 1957.
• The Canadian flag's eleven-pointed leaf refers to no specific species but represents all ten native maple trees.
• Since 1979, the Royal Canadian Mint has issued bullion coins officially named 'Maple Leafs' with geometric designs.
• Jacques Viger described the maple as 'the king of our forest' at the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Society meeting in 1834.