The shield is divided in four quarters:
In the upper left quarter, the diagonal silver band represents the shoulder belt worn by the knights.
The narrow diagonal bands on each side of the silver band represent Champagne, where our ancestor is from,
according to the notary act.
In the upper right corner, the sails of the sailboat point in the direction of the wind during the crossing
of the Atlantic ocean, which took 87 days, in 1659, from the starting point of Dieppe on March 16th, 1959 and
arriving on Monday, June 16th, 1659, around 4 :00 p.m. The blowing sails symbolize firmness and pride.
The 'fleur-de-lys' emblem represents our French origin. It is also a symbol of purity, candor et virtue.
The red mitre reminds us of the bishops, archbishops and curates. It was noted that Monsignor François
Montmorency-Laval, first bishop of France, was crossing the ocean for the first time.
In the bottom left quarter, the rings represent the children who insured the descendancy of Jean Houymet
and Renée Gagnon and the profileration of the name Ouimet and its numerous variations. Louis, Jean and Pierre
are represented by the full silver circles, Marguerite by the full gold ring. The other hollow rings represent
the other children who remained unmarried or who died at a young age. They are Gabriel, Jacques and Jean-Pierre
(1681 - 1681) and are represented by the hollow silver rings, while Marie-Madeleine and Jeanne are represented
by the hollow gold rings.
In the bottom right quarter, the six cobs represent the vocation of our ancestor, who was an agricultural
settler. Agriculture is also the main function of Île d'Orléans.
The vine stock, leaf and the grape of raisins symbolize two different things. The fact that our ancestor
originated from the ancient French province of Champagne means that he probably attempted the grow vines to
produce wine. Also, the ancient name of the island was Isle of Bacchus, named by Jacques Cartier in 1535,
because it was covered with vines. Bacchus is the name of the god of vines.
In the middle of the shield, the handshake is a synonym of faith and mutual support. It adds a dimension
of special human warmth : welcome, cordiality, exchange and help. It reminds us also that the descendants of
Jean Houymet in America belong to two cultures: French and English.
The metallic colours chosen:
silver is equal to white, which does not exist in heraldry. It is the emblem of honour and symbolizes a clear
conscience, frankness, honest mind, serenity and fidelity, all virtues or values practised by our ancestors;
copper is rarely used in heraldry. It means ambition, work, usefulness and down-to-earth.
gold is the symbol of generosity, such as according to the saying 'this person has a heart of gold'.
Pieces of gold were given to charity. It also symbolizes spriritual values : religion, education, artistic values.
It also means pride in belonging to a great family.
The enamel colours:
carnation: used to represent the human body
azure: a celestial colour and emblem of perfection. It symbolizes work well done, a professional conscience;
it can also mean sovereignty, majesty, serenity, a good reputation, knowledge, loyalty.
red (or gules): colour of fire and of blood symbolizes charity, justice, ardor, love, pain, greatness, courage,
generosity, pride and intrepidity.
crimson or purple: It is the symbol of endurance, wealth and social status. It is also associated to a person
in charge and to the spiritual chief.
'sinople': the colour of growing wheat, is the symbol of youth, hope, optimism, faith in the future, abundance,
beauty, liberty and gaiety.
