Search for B.C.'s Best Symbol: Round 1 — Animals

When you think of the symbols that define British Columbia, you might imagine a tree or a mountain, a totem or an orca, a spirit bear or an umbrella. 

Historian Mike Dawson, who co-wrote the book Symbols of Canada, thinks of these things — but also something slightly tastier. 

"I can remember going to the White Spot as a kid and insisting I was getting a Pirate Pak," he said.

"But I can also remember taking my kids there for the Pirate Pak experience … there's a bond, a connection to that symbol because it's going to bring back good, happy memories."

Iconic symbols connected to a particular place are formed in all sorts of ways, and there are so many across British Columbia.

But which one is the best?

It's bracket time!

Today begins the Search for B.C.'s Best Symbol, a friendly vote to determine which iconic thing in this province represents us best. 

We received more than 300 submissions, and chose 64 that are separated into four sections of 16. Voting will take place over several weeks. A series of one-on-one matchups will narrow the number of symbols from 64 to 32, 32 to 16, and eventually down to one champion:

• Animals (voting takes place on Mondays).
• Nature (voting takes place on Tuesdays).
• Coastal (voting takes place on Wednesdays).
• Provincial (voting takes place on Thursdays).

WATCH | Here's how it works: 

Search for B.C.'s Best Symbol: Round 1, Animals

10 hours ago

Duration 1:00

Sixty-four iconic provincial symbols. Five weeks of voting. One winner. The start of the Search for B.C.'s Best Symbol begins Monday — and it's up to you to vote for which animals will advance.

While it's not the most serious of competitions, we hope it will spark some friendly debates about what symbols matter most in British Columbia — and why.

"Symbols help to capture people's imagination. They tend to represent qualities that humans like to ascribe to themselves," said Canadian Historical Association president and York University professor Colin Coates.

"You're going to have a really interesting discussion about what characteristics people project onto the different symbols, because that will tell us how people actually perceive themselves as living in this province."

Voting is open until 9 p.m. Pacific time Monday. Happy voting!