Maple Leaf Tartan becomes Canada's official symbol

The Canadian government announced on Wednesday 9th March 2011, that the Maple Leaf Tartan has become an official symbol of the country.

As a kind of plaid designed in 1964 by David Weiser in anticipation of the 100th anniversary of Confederation in 1967, the tartan had been Canada's unofficial national tartan for many years.

It's worn by some military pipe bands and was featured in some costumes at the closing ceremonies of the Winter Olympics held in Vancouver last year.

The four colors of the tartan reflect the colors of the maple leaf as it changes through the seasons--green in the spring, gold in the early autumn, red at the first frost, and brown after falling.

"The Maple Leaf Tartan has been worn proudly and enjoyed by Canadians for decades, but has never been elevated to the level of an official symbol-until now," Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages James Moore said in a communique.