Leafs Forever

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.

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.