The lower portion of the shield features a golden sun setting into the ocean, representing the province's location on the Pacific.

[1] The first coat of arms of the province was created by Canon Arthur Beanlands of Victoria, whose version was similar to the modern one: "The union device of Great Britain and Ireland: on a chief barry undée argent and azure, a setting sun in base Or.

"[5] This coat was adopted by Order-in-Council 268 July 19, 1895, as the arms and great seal of the province per the authority inferred from Section 136 of the British North America Act.

Upon the order in council, the motto of the province is typeset incorrectly as Spendor Sine Occasu [sic], which is one of several hand-made corrections and deletions upon the instrument.

The heralds objected to the placement of the Union Flag in an inferior position on the shield (conflicting with the popular slogan, "The sun never sets on the British Empire").