Cultural symbols in Alberta and their meanings

Alberta symbols come from the prairie, the mountains, and ranch life. People still use them on flags, clothes, and signs. They mark the land and the work done on it.

Wild rose

• It is the provincial flower.

• Pink blooms grow on roadsides and in fields.

• The flower appears on the flag and on licences.

• It stands for the short summer and the open land.

• People plant it in gardens.

Rocky Mountains

• The Rockies form the western edge of the province.

• Snow peaks show on posters and coins.

• They stand for clean air and outdoor life.

• Hikers and skiers use the image every year.

• The range is the backdrop of many towns.

Cowboy hat and boots

• The hat and boots mark ranch and rodeo culture.

• People wear them at the Stampede and on farms.

• The shape is practical for sun and mud.

• Tourists buy them. Locals keep working pairs.

• They stand for the cattle industry.

Wheat sheaf

• Golden wheat fills the prairie fields.

• A sheaf appears on old coats of arms.

• It stands for the harvest and farm life.

• Grain elevators still mark small towns.

• Bread and pasta from the crop feed the country.

Oil derrick

• Pumpjacks and derricks rise on the plains.

• They stand for the energy industry.

• The machines appear in art and on company signs.

• Jobs in oil and gas shape many towns.

• The image is modern, not old.

Chinook wind

• Warm winds blow down from the mountains in winter.

• Snow melts in hours. People call the change a chinook.

• The wind is a local weather mark.

• Stories and songs mention it.

• It stands for sudden relief from cold.