<P> Many different flags created for use by Canadian officials, government bodies, and military forces contain the maple leaf motif in some fashion, either by having the Canadian flag charged in the canton, or by including maple leaves in the design . </P> <P> The flag is horizontally symmetric and therefore the obverse and reverse sides appear identical . The width of the Maple Leaf flag is twice the height . The white field is a Canadian pale (a square central band in a vertical triband flag, named after this flag); each bordering red field is exactly half its size and it bears a stylized red maple leaf at its centre . In heraldic terminology, the flag's blazon as outlined on the original royal proclamation is "gules on a Canadian pale argent a maple leaf of the first". </P> <P> The maple leaf has been used as a Canadian emblem since the 18th century . It was first used as a national symbol in 1868 when it appeared on the coat of arms of both Ontario and Quebec . In 1867, Alexander Muir composed the patriotic song "The Maple Leaf Forever", which became an unofficial anthem in English - speaking Canada . The maple leaf was later added to the Canadian coat of arms in 1921 . From 1876 until 1901, the leaf appeared on all Canadian coins and remained on the penny after 1901 . The use of the maple leaf by the Royal Canadian Regiment as a regimental symbol extended back to 1860 . During the First World War and Second World War, badges of the Canadian Forces were often based on a maple leaf design . The maple leaf would eventually adorn the tombstones of Canadian military graves . </P> <P> By proclaiming the Royal Arms of Canada, King George V in 1921 made red and white the official colours of Canada; the former came from Saint George's Cross and the latter from the French royal emblem since King Charles VII . These colours became "entrenched" as the national colours of Canada upon the proclamation of the Royal Standard of Canada (the Canadian monarch's personal flag) in 1962 . The Department of Canadian Heritage has listed the various colour shades for printing ink that should be used when reproducing the Canadian flag; these include: </P>

Why does the canadian flag have a leaf on it
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