Coat of arms of Vilnius
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Coat of arms of Vilnius is the coat of arms of the city of Vilnius, Lithuania. It is also used as coat of arms of Vilnius city municipality.
There is the large version and small version. The large version incorporates small version, which depicts Saint Christopher (sometimes also called saint Christophorus) with baby Jesus on his hands. This coat of arms was given Vilnius in 1330. In pagan times, i.e. until the end of the 14th century, it featured Titan Alkis, hero of Lithuanian ancient tales, carrying his wife JanterytÄ— on his shoulders across the Vilnia River.
The coat of arms was banned by the Soviet Union during their occupation of Lithuania. It was confirmed again on April 17, 1991, soon after Lithuania declared independence, by the Supreme Council of Lithuania.