Norwegian heraldry
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Norwegian heraldry has its roots in medieval times when the use of coats of arms first appeared in Europe. Culturally it belongs to German heraldic tradition.
There are comparatively few personal coats of arms in Norway and many of them are foreign of origin. Most Norwegian family arms are created and established by private individuals in Norway and needed no grant or confirmation by any official authorities. Very few Norwegian family arms are from the former noble families. The nobility was abolished in Norway by an act of the parliament (Storting) in 1821.
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[edit] Modern heraldry
Today practically all Norwegian municipalities and all counties have their own coat of arms and corresponding banner of arms as their flag. These are approved by the King in council and follow very strict rules. They usually have just one tincture and one metal, they are very simple in design, easy for blazoning, and very strong in symbolism. Some coats of arms are allowed to break from these rules if they are a revival of an old coat of arms with connection to the area.
[edit] Regulation
Official Norwegian coats of arms have special protection by Norwegian law. In general they may only be used in official duties by offices of state, counties and municipalities. In such use they must be placed at the top of the page on which they are printed.
The Norwegian heraldic authority is organized under the National Archive of Norway.
Private coats of arms are not regulated and need no official sanction.
[edit] Bumerke
The 'bumerker' are house marks with some relations to coats of arms, as they were frequently used instead of arms and displayed within an escutcheon. Like coats of arms, they were often used on private seals. Coats of arms consist of coloured fields whilst house marks consist of simple lines only, suitable for carving on wooden utensils. They are renditions of very simple runic-like letters and other graphic symbols which signify a specific person or family. They may be passed down through generations with some changes from person to person. This custom has mostly died out. Before literacy became widespread, a 'bumerke' would often be used instead of a signature.
[edit] See also
- Coat of arms of Norway
- Flag of Norway
- List of flags of Norway
- List of coats of arms of Norway
- Burgher arms
[edit] Sources
- "Art by Royal Resolution" from the National archive of Norway
- About bumerkes (Norwegian)
- English summary of the page above
[edit] External links
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