The Coat of arms of Calgary was adopted in 1902 after a local contest. The arms existed only in black and white until 1984, when an alderman asked the City to develop it in full color.

Crest: A mural crown signifying city status and loyalty, with the setting sun representing Calgary's position in western Canada.

Shield:
Chief: A setting sun over the Rocky Mountains
Charges: A bull buffalo (the original inhabitant of the area) charging a maple leaf (representing Canada) that surmounts the Cross of St. George (representing the English settlers that founded the city).

Compartment: The mount consists of two red maple leaves (symbolising Canada), a thistle (for Scotland), leek (for Wales), shamrocks (for Ireland) and a rose (for England).

Supporters: A horse and a steer, representing the ranching past.

Scroll: The city motto, "Onward" between the foundation year (1884) and the incorporation year (1894).

The Union Jack and the Canadian Red Ensign are crossed under the scroll.

The landscape in the chief and the cross in the shield body are a reversal of the coat of arms of Alberta.