Canada's Naval History

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The Navy: A Century in Art

Naval Traditions and Culture

Naval Traditions and Culture

Naval traditions and culture encompass a wide range of activities, events, and objects, often unique to naval service. Some, like the "crossing the line" (meaning, the equator) ceremony, are old and well-established, while others, such as gun shield art, related directly to Second World War experiences. Many reflect companionship, commemoration, recreation, or esprit de corps.

Sunset Ceremony

Sailors of the Royal Canadian Navy's Atlantic Command carry out a tattoo, retreat, and sunset ceremony on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.

Often simply called the "sunset ceremony", it combines a number of customs and traditions relating to evening duties and events, culminating in the lowering of the national flag, and involves a guard, a band, and saluting guns and their crews. It can be carried out on a large scale, as seen here during part of the celebrations for a Royal visit to Canada, or on a smaller scale as circumstances require.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 19910001-032