Coat of arms of Sweden
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| Coat of arms of Sweden | |
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 The lesser coat of arms of Sweden, as used by the Government |
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| Details | |
| Armiger | Carl XVI Gustaf |
| Crest | The Royal crown of Sweden |
| Escutcheon | Quarterly: the three Royal Crowns of Sweden, the traditional Lions of the Folkunga Dynasty |
| Supporters | Two or reguardant lions |
| Orders | Order of Charles XIII, Order of the Sword, Order of the Polar Star, Order of Vasa, Order of Seraphim |
The greater national coat of arms (stora riksvapnet) and the lesser national coat of arms (lilla riksvapnet) are the official coats of arms of Sweden.
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[edit] Shield
The shield has four elements: The first and fourth fields, top left and bottom right, show the three Royal Crowns of Sweden. They have been a national symbol since the time of King Albert of Mecklenburg. The second and third field, top right and bottom left, are the traditional Lions of the Folkunga Dynasty.
[edit] Supporters
The arms are supported by two lions with forked tails (queue fourchée), facing away from the shield and crowned with Royal Crowns. The lion has for centuries been an important element in Swedish heraldry and especially for the State Coat of Arms.
[edit] Collars of the Royal Orders
The shield may be surmounted by the royal orders. The greater coat of arms is usually surmounted by the Collar of the Order of Seraphim, the foremost order in Sweden, and the highest honour the Swedish state can bestow on an individual.
Unlike the lesser coat of arms, which may only be surrounded by the Order of the Seraphim, the shield of the greater coat of arms may be surrounded by all or any of the four royal orders.[1] A common practice has been the use of all the four Royal Orders, those of the Polar Star, the Vasa and the Sword. The Order of Charles XIII may also surround the shield.
As illustrated above, if more than one order are included around the shield, they are put in falling order (less prestigious first). The Order of Carl XIII, the Order of Vasa, the Order of the Polar Star, the Order of the Sword and ending with the Order of the Seraphim.
[edit] General Description
Besides being the official national coat of arms, the greater coat of arms is also the personal coat of arms of the king, and as such he can decree its use as a personal coat of arms by other members of the Royal House, with the alterations and additions decided by him.
Blazon: "The greater state arms consist of a head shield azure, quartered by a cross or with outbent arms, and an inescutcheon containing the dynastic arms of the Royal House.
In the first and fourth fields three coronets or, placed two above one. In the second and third fields three sinisterbendwise streams argent, a lion crowned with an open crown or with armaments gules. The inescutcheon is party per pale the arms for the House of Vasa and the House of Bernadotte. The main shield is crowned by a royal crown and surrounded by the insignia of the Order of the Seraphim. Supported by two lions regardant or crowned, with parted tails and armaments gules, standing on a postament. All surrounded by hermine mantling crowned with a royal crown and tied up with tasseladorned strings or."
[edit] Personal Command Sign of H.M. the King
The Personal Command Sign of H.M. the King of Sweden was introduced by a Royal regulation in 1943. The Command sign includes the central part of the greater coat of arms. The banner - it is officially termed His Majesty's Personal Command Banner - is a one-of-a-kind sort only. There is only one copy existing, a piece of craftsmanship created by Einar Kedja, a renowned Swedish heraldic artist. The cloth is permanently attached to a pole with a crown serving as finial.
[edit] The lesser coat of arms
The lesser coat of arms is mainly used by the Government of Sweden and its agencies. As such it may be joined by insignias symbolising their activity, following approval by the State Board of Heraldry. It is, for instance, embroidered on all Swedish police uniforms.
Blazon: "Azure, with three coronets or, ordered two above one." Crowned with a royal crown. The shield may also be surrounded by the insignias of the Order of the Seraphim."
[edit] Regulated usage
The usage of the coats of arms is regulated by Swedish Law, Act 1970:498, which states that "in commercial activities, the coats of arms, the flag or other official insignia of Sweden may not be used in a trademark or other insignias for products or services without proper authorisation. This includes any mark or text referring to the Swedish government which thus can give the commercial mark a sign of official endorsement. This includes municipal coats of arms which are registered." [1]
Any representation consisting of three crowns ordered two above one are considered to be the lesser coat of arms, and its usage is therefore restricted by law 1970:498.
[edit] References
- ^ See sections 2 and 3, Lag No. 268 om Sveriges Riksvapen of April 29, 1982.
[edit] See also
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