Swedish heraldry 1928569 225739759 2008-07-15T04:30:10Z Wilhelm meis 2931269 /* Terminology */ adding a bit of text, per discussion [[Image:Two Swedish Heralds.jpg|right|thumb|Two heralds at the funeral of King [[John III of Sweden|Johan III]] from 1594]] '''Swedish heraldry''' belongs culturally to the [[Heraldry#German-Nordic heraldry|German heraldic tradition]], noted for its scant use of [[Tincture (heraldry)#Furs|heraldic furs]], multiple [[Crest (heraldry)|crests]], inseparability of the crest, and repetition of [[Charge (heraldry)|charges]] in the shield and the crest. Swedish heraldry is similar to [[Danish heraldry]]; both were heavily influenced by [[German heraldry]].<ref>{{cite book |author= Volborth, Carl-Alexander von |date= 1981 |title= Heraldry: Customs, Rules and Styles |publisher= Blandford Press |location= Poole, England |pages= p. 129 |ISBN= 0713709405}}</ref> The medieval history of the [[Nordic countries]] was closely related, so they developed their heraldic individuality rather late.<ref>{{cite book |author= Volborth, Carl-Alexander von |date= 1981 |title= Heraldry: Customs, Rules and Styles |publisher= Blandford Press |location= Poole, England |pages= p. 129 |ISBN= 0713709405}}</ref> [[Finnish heraldry]] has a common history with Swedish heraldry until 1809. The earliest known achievements of arms in Sweden are those of two brothers, Sigtrygg and Lars Bengtsson, from 1219; the earliest example of Swedish civic heraldry is the city arms of [[Kalmar]], which originated as a city seal in 1247.<ref name="SHS The Swedish Way" /> The [[Seal (device)|seal]] ([[Swedish language|Swedish]]: ''sigill''), used extensively in the [[Middle Ages]], was instrumental in spreading heraldry to churches, local governments, and other institutions, and was the forerunner of the [[coat of arms]] in medieval Sweden.<ref>{{cite book |author= Volborth, Carl-Alexander von |date= 1981 |title= Heraldry: Customs, Rules and Styles |publisher= Blandford Press |location= Poole, England |pages= p. 96 |ISBN= 0713709405}}</ref> Armorial seals of noblewomen appeared in the 12th century, burghers and artisans began adopting arms in the 13th century, and even some peasants took arms in the 14th century.<ref>{{cite book |author= Volborth, Carl-Alexander von |date= 1981 |title= Heraldry: Customs, Rules and Styles |publisher= Blandford Press |location= Poole, England |pages= p. 96 |ISBN= 0713709405}}</ref> [[Heraldry]] in [[Sweden]] today is used extensively by corporations and individuals; the rights of these private entities and of official bodies are upheld by Swedish law.<ref name="SFS 1970:498">Swedish law 1970:498 protects registered arms from abuse. {{cite web |url= http://www.notisum.se/rnp/sls/lag/19700498.HTM |title= Lag (1970:498) om skydd för vapen och vissa andra officiella beteckningar |accessdate=2008-06-27 |work= Swedish Code of Statutes |publisher= Sveriges Riksdag |date= 1970-06-29 |language= Swedish}}</ref> In order to become legally registered and protected under [[Swedish Code of Statutes|Swedish law]], an official coat of arms must be registered with the [[Swedish Patent and Registration Office]] (PRV), and is subject to approval by the National Herald (''Statsheraldiker''), who is appointed by the bureaucratic Heraldic Board of the [[National Archives of Sweden]]. Since 1999, the National Herald of Sweden is Henrik Klackenberg.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statsheraldiker |title= Statsheraldiker |work= Swedish Wikipedia |language= Swedish |publisher= Wikimedia Foundation |date=2007-11-18 |accessdate=2008-06-30}}</ref> Private heraldry ([[burgher arms]]), however, is less strictly controlled. == State heraldry == {{Main|Coat of arms of Sweden}} [[Image:Sweden greater coa1908-modern.png|thumb|left|200px|The greater coat of arms of Sweden]] The greater national arms (''stora riksvapnet'') has remained unchanged in Swedish law since 1943. It is also the personal coat of arms of the [[Monarchy of Sweden|king of Sweden]]; 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.<ref name="SFS 1982:268" /> Since the beginning of the reign of [[Gustav I of Sweden|Gustav Vasa]] in 1523 it has been customary in Sweden to display the arms of the ruling dynasty as an inescutcheon in the centre of the greater arms.<ref name="Neubecker">{{cite book |author= Neubecker, Ottfried |date= 1979 |title= A Guide to Heraldry |publisher= McGraw-Hill |location= Maidenhead, England |pages= p. 225 |ISBN= 0070463123}}</ref> [[Blazon]]: The greater national arms consist of a shield [[azure]], quartered by a cross [[Or (heraldry)|or]] with outbent arms, and an [[Escutcheon (heraldry)|inescutcheon]] containing the dynastic arms of the Royal House. In the first and fourth fields three [[Crown (heraldry)|open crowns]] or, placed two above one. In the second and third fields three sinisterbendwise streams [[argent]], a [[Lion (heraldry)|lion]] crowned with an open crown or with armaments [[gules]]. The inescutcheon is [[Division of the field|party per pale]] the arms for the [[House of Vasa]] (Bendwise azure, argent and gules, a ''vasa'' (sheaf of wheat) or); and the [[House of Bernadotte]] (Azure, issuant from a wavy base a bridge with three arches and two towers embattled argent, in honor point an eagle regardant with wings inverted resting on thunderbolts or, and in chief the Big Dipper constellation or). The main shield is crowned by a royal crown and surrounded by the insignia of the [[Order of the Seraphim]]. [[Supporters|Supported]] by two lions regardant, crowned and with forked tails or and armaments gules, standing on a [[Compartment (heraldry)|compartment]] or. All surrounded by [[Ermine (heraldry)|ermine]] mantling, crowned with a royal crown and tied up with tasseladorned strings or."<ref name="SFS 1982:268">{{cite web |url= http://www.notisum.se/rnp/sls/lag/19820268.HTM |title= Lag (1982:268) om Sveriges riksvapen |accessdate=2008-06-27 |work= Swedish Code of Statutes |publisher= Sveriges Riksdag |date= 1982-04-29 |language= Swedish}}</ref> The greater national arms may be displayed without the Order of the Seraphim insignia, supporters, compartment or manteling. While the arms have undergone significant changes over the years (such as changing the inescutcheon with the ruling dynasty), they are based on arms created by King [[Charles VIII of Sweden|Karl Knutsson (Bonde)]] in 1448.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.statensarkiv.se/default.aspx?id=1268 |title= Stora riksvapnet |work= Statens Arkiv |date= 2008-03-17 |language= Swedish |accessdate=2008-07-14}}</ref> The coat of arms of [[Queen Silvia of Sweden]] is similar to the greater arms of Sweden, but without the ermine mantling, and with the central inescutcheon exchanged for her personal arms: per pale gules and or, a [[fleur-de-lis]] counterchanged. The shield is encircled by an azure ribbon with dependent cross of the [[Order of the Polar Star]].<ref>{{cite book |author= Volborth, Carl-Alexander von |date= 1981 |title= Heraldry: Customs, Rules and Styles |publisher= Blandford Press |location= Poole, England |pages= p. 94 |ISBN= 0713709405}}</ref> [[Image:Polisen vapen.svg|thumb|right|120px|Arms of the Swedish police service, incorporating the lesser coat of arms]] The lesser coat of arms of Sweden (''lilla riksvapnet'') is emblazoned: "Azure, with three coronets or, ordered two above one; Crowned with a royal crown."<ref name="SFS 1982:268" /> This is the emblem used by the [[government of Sweden]] and its agencies; it is, for example, embroidered on all [[Swedish Police Service|Swedish police]] uniforms. Any representation consisting of three crowns ordered two above one is considered to be the lesser coat of arms, and its usage is therefore restricted by [[Swedish Code of Statutes|Swedish Law]], Act 1970:498.<ref name="SFS 1970:498" /> The [[three crowns]] have been a national symbol of Sweden for centuries; historians trace the use of the symbol back to the [[Seal (device)|royal seal]] of [[Albert of Sweden|Albrecht of Mecklenburg]], and even earlier.<ref name="FOTW">{{cite web |url= http://flagspot.net/flags/se-3kron.html#hist |title= Three Crowns of Sweden |work= Flags of the World |date= 2007-02-10 |accessdate=2008-07-01}}</ref> The earliest credible attribution of the three crowns is to [[Magnus IV of Sweden|Magnus Eriksson]], who reigned over Norway and Sweden, and in 1330s, bought [[Scania]] from Denmark.<ref name="FOTW" /> Written in 1378, Ernst von Kirchberg's ''Reimchronik'' depicted Magnus Eriksson with a national banner of dark blue, charged with three crowns, although this banner did not ultimately become the national [[flag of Sweden]].<ref name="FOTW" /> The three crowns have been recognized as the official arms of Sweden since the 14th century.<ref name="Neubecker" /> == Municipal heraldry == There are 290 [[Municipalities of Sweden|municipalities in Sweden]], each with its own coat of arms. A reform in the 1960s–1970s made all cities part of a [[municipality]]. The [[city]] arms often—but not always—became the coat of arms for the municipality. As some municipalities were created at this time by merging smaller communities, this led in some cases to arms consisting of two parts, each derived from one of the communities. Some new municipalities also lacked historical cities within, and therefore created wholly new coats of arms. All municipalities that once had [[city rights]] can, if they choose, have a [[Heraldic crown|crown]] on top of their coat of arms.{{Fact|date=June 2008}} Kalmar was the first to establish city arms in 1247, and Stockholm, [[Skara]] and [[Örebro]] were also among the first cities in Sweden to establish city arms.<ref name="SHS The Swedish Way" /> === Former city arms === <!-- Do not add or remove cities in this list without first discussing on the talk page --> The following is not an exhaustive list of the 134 [[List of cities in Sweden|cities in Sweden]], but a brief list of cities that are notable or bear heraldic significance within the context of Swedish heraldry. Each is listed by the city name, in general chronological order with the approximate year of settlement or [[Municipal charter|city charter]]. Note that most city arms originated in the Middle Ages as a [[seal (device)|city seal]], and all were registered as municipality (''kommun'') arms in the 1970s. It is also worth noting that most mullets (stars) in Swedish heraldry have six points rather than five, but these are often described in the blazon as "six-pointed stars" (''sexuddig stjärna''). [[Image:Skara City Arms.svg|left|50px|]] '''[[Skara]]''' (established in 988) is the oldest city in Sweden. It has used various versions of its [[Skara Cathedral|cathedral]] in its symbol since the 1600s, and received its current arms in 1963.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skara_kommun#Kommunvapnet |title= Skara kommun |work= Swedish Wikipedia |language= Swedish |Publisher= Wikimedia Foundation |date=2008-06-13 |accessdate=2008-07-05}}</ref> Blazon: Argent, a shingled [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]] church with [[apse]] and two towers gules, roofs pointed with crowning crosses, the right tower highest with door and windows argent.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.skara.se/index.php?id=11 |title= Skara Kommun Stadsvapnet |work= Skara |language= Swedish |date= 2006-12-17 |accessdate=2008-07-05}}</ref> [[Image:Lunds stadsvapen.png|left|50px|]] '''[[Lund]]''' (990), one of the oldest cities in Sweden, was home to a [[studium generale]] in the 15th century, known as [[Lund University]] since 1666. Superficially, Lund's city arms somewhat resemble Skara's, featuring a red embattled wall and gate, a symbol used in Lund's city seal since the 14th century, although at least one author asserts that the city of Lund never had such a wall.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.ngw.nl/int/zwe/l/lund.htm |title= Lund |work= Sveriges Kommunvapen (Swedish Civic Heraldry) |date=2008-07-01 |accessdate=2008-07-04}}</ref> Blazon: Argent, upon a base vert a wall embattled with a tower and turret between two turrets gules.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunds_kommun#Kommunvapnet |title= Lunds kommun |work= Swedish Wikipedia |language= Swedish |date=2008-07-01 |publisher= Wikimedia Foundation |accessdate=2008-07-04}}</ref> [[Image:Sigtuna vapen.svg|left|50px|]] '''[[Sigtuna]]''' (990), one of the oldest cities in Sweden, is known for its [[Viking Age]] history and [[rune stone]]s. In medieval times, coins were minted at Sigtuna, and legend suggests it was the royal seat for a time, signified by the crown on its arms. The crown appeared in the [[Seal (device)|city seal]] in 1311, and carried through to the municipal arms granted in 1971. Blazon: Azure, a crown or between three mullets argent.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.sigtuna.se/templates/Page____661.aspx |title= Kommunens Vapen |work= Sigtuna Kommun |language= Swedish |date=2006-10-17 |accessdate=2008-07-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.ngw.nl/int/zwe/s/sigtuna.htm |title= Sigtuna |work= Sveriges Kommunvapen (Swedish Civic Heraldry) |date=2008-07-01 |accessdate=2008-07-04}}</ref> [[Image:Gotland kommunvapen.svg|left|50px|]] '''[[Visby]]''' (1000) is notable as the medieval walled city on the isle of [[Gotland]] and is a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]]. [[Gotland Municipality]] has incorporated the city arms of [[Visby]], depicting an [[Agnus Dei]], the symbol of [[Saint John]]. It can be attested as far back as the 13th century.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.gotland.se/imcms/34326 |title= Logotype och flagga |work= Gotland.se |language= Swedish |accessdate=2008-06-29}}</ref> An important city in the times of the [[Hanseatic League]], Visby was granted city rights in the 13th century, and early renderings of the city arms featured a [[Variation of the field#Semé|semy]] of [[Madonna lily|lilies]] (symbolic of [[Blessed Virgin Mary|St. Mary]]).<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.ngw.nl/int/zwe/v/visby.htm |title= Visby |work= Sveriges Kommunvapen (Swedish Civic Heraldry) |date=2008-07-01 |accessdate=2008-07-02}}</ref> [[Image:Kalmar vapen.svg|left|50px|]] '''[[Kalmar]]''' (1100) has the oldest known city arms in Sweden, depicting a fortified tower (''borgtorn'') and dating to 1247.<ref name="Kalmar kommunvapnet">{{cite web |url= http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalmar_kommun#Kommunvapnet |title= Kalmar kommun |language= Swedish |publisher= Wikimedia Foundation |date=2008-06-13 |accessdate=2008-07-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.wadbring.com/historia/sidor/kalmar.htm |title= Kalmar |work= Bengans historiasidor |language= Swedish |date=2008-05-14 |accessdate=2008-07-05}}</ref> The two stars were added by the end of the 13th century, and the arms have remained vitually unchanged to date.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.ngw.nl/int/zwe/k/kalmar.htm |title= Kalmar |work= Sveriges Kommunvapen (Swedish Civic Heraldry) |date=2008-07-01 |accessdate=2008-07-05}}</ref> Blazon: Argent, a tower embattled gules, with door and windows or, issuing from a wavy base azure, between two mullets of six points gules.<ref name="Kalmar kommunvapnet" /> [[Image:Arboga vapen.svg|left|50px|]] '''[[Arboga]]''' (1200s), settled in the 10th century, has been a city since 1480 and was home of the first [[parliament of Sweden]] (''Riksdag'') in 1435.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.lundberg-lagerstedt.se/arboga/ |title= Arboga |language= Swedish/English |accessdate=2008-07-05}}</ref> Arboga's city arms originated from a city seal dating from 1330.<ref name="Arbogas Kommunvapen">{{cite web |url= http://www.arboga.se/arbogatemplates/Page.aspx?id=2970 |title= Kommunvapen |work= Arboga Kommun |language= Swedish |date=2004-12-17 |accessdate=2008-07-05}}</ref> The original city seal showed an eagle with three roundels placed one on each wing and the tail, and a letter "A" between two stars. The "A" was omitted and the stars moved onto the eagle's wings in 1969, and the same arms granted to [[Arboga Municipality|the municipality]] in 1974.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.ngw.nl/int/zwe/a/arboga.htm |title= Arboga |work= Sveriges Kommunvapen (Swedish Civic Heraldry) |date=2008-07-01 |accessdate=2008-07-05}}</ref> Blazon: Argent, an eagle sable, beaked langued and armed gules, each wing charged with a mullet of six points or.<ref name="Arbogas Kommunvapen" /> [[Image:Malmö vapen.svg|left|50px|]] '''[[Malmö]]''' (1250) is the southernmost, and third largest, city in Sweden. Malmö's arms, granted by [[Eric of Pomerania]] in 1437, survive virtually unchanged today and, together with [[Halmstad]], are unique in having a helmet and crest included in the achievement of arms.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malmö_kommunvapen |title= Malmö kommunvapen |language= Swedish |publisher= Wikimedia Foundation |date=2008-02-01 |accessdate=2008-07-05}}</ref> Blazon: Argent, a griffin head [erased] gules crowned or; the same upon the helmet, issuing from the crown a bundle of ostrich feathers argent. [[Image:Stockholm vapen.svg|left|50px|]] '''[[Stockholm]]''' (1250) is the largest city and present-day capital of Sweden. The original city seal, dating to 1296, depicts a tower, to which more towers were later added, and in 1376, the third seal eschewed the towers in favor of a crowned head, said to represent [[Eric IX of Sweden|Saint Erik]].<ref name="Stockholms stadsvapen">{{cite web |url= http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockholm_stadsvapen |title= Stockholms stadsvapen |language= Swedish |publisher= Wikimedia Foundation |date=2008-06-23 |accessdate=2008-07-05}}</ref> In the 1920s, the city arms were revised, based upon a church icon said to represent [[Olaf II of Norway|Saint Olaf]], although the blazon clearly indicates Saint Erik as the intended subject, and these arms were officially granted in 1934.<ref name="Stockholms stadsvapen" /><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.ngw.nl/int/zwe/s/stockhol.htm |title= Stockholm |work= Sveriges Kommunvapen (Swedish Civic Heraldry) |date=2008-07-01 |accessdate=2008-07-05}}</ref> Blazon: "Azure, a crowned head of Saint Erik [couped] or."<ref name="Stockholms stadsvapen" /> [[Image:Uppsala vapen.svg|left|50px|]] '''[[Uppsala]]''' (1286) was the seat of power in Sweden from antiquity. Since the 12th century, it has been the ecclesiastical center of Sweden, and [[Uppsala University]], founded in 1477, is the oldest university in Sweden. The origin of the city arms is somewhat obscure, but the lion has been featured on Uppsala's city seal since at least 1737, and in the city arms which were granted in 1943.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.ngw.nl/int/zwe/u/uppsala.htm |title= Uppsala |work= Sveriges Kommunvapen (Swedish Civic Heraldry) |date=2008-07-01 |accessdate=2008-07-05}}</ref> Blazon: Azure, a crowned lion passant gardant or, [[Fimbriation|fimbriated]] sable and langued and armed gules.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uppsala_kommun#Kommunvapnet |title= Uppsala kommun |language= Swedish |publisher= Wikimedia Foundation |date=2008-06-14 |accessdate=2008-07-05}}</ref> [[Image:Växjö City Arms.svg|left|50px|]] '''[[Växjö]]''' (1342) received its city charter in 1342, but was already an important commercial center by AD 1000. It was an important religious center in the Middle Ages, and was the childhood home of 18th century botanist [[Carolus Linnaeus]]. Växjö has city arms depicting [[Sigfrid of Sweden|Saint Sigfrid]], a national saint who died at Växjö and was buried in the cathedral. In the arms, he is depicted wearing traditional Catholic bishop equipment with some water beneath him. The meaning of the water is unclear, but it may refer to the spring which, according to legend, always sprang forth where a saint died.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.brot.se/rotary/stsigfrid/nyhetdet.asp?NID=31 |title= Växjö S:t Sigfrid Rotaryklubb |language= Swedish |accessdate=2008-06-29}}</ref> [[Image:Landskrona vapen.svg|left|50px|]] '''[[Landskrona]]''' (1413) was established by [[Eric of Pomerania]] as an anti-[[Hanseatic League|Hansa]] city in competition with the Danish port cities of the time, shortly after [[Skåne]] had been conquered by Sweden. The city was originally symbolised by a gold "queen's crown" on a red field, in direct reference to [[Margaret I of Denmark|Margrethe Valdemarsdatter]], and the city received its present arms in 1880, based on a city seal from 1663 depicting a crown, a lion, a ship and a [[cornucopia]] on a quartered field.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.landskrona.se/pages/cgi-bin/PUB_Latest_Version.exe?pageId=1279&allFrameset=1&r=1215292050360 |title= Landscrone/Landskrona |language= Swedish |author= Louise Persson |date=2004-09-02 |accessdate=2008-07-05}}</ref> Landskrona is unique among Swedish municipal arms in having its own crown and supporters as part of its own achievement of arms. Since Landskrona was a city, the municipality has, in theory, the option to crown the shield with a wall crown, but this is not done since Landskrona already has its very own crown.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landskrona_kommunvapen |title= Landskrona kommunvapen |work= Swedish Wikipedia |language= Swedish |date= 2008-07-04 |publisher= Wikimedia Foundation |accessdate=2008-07-06}}</ref> [[Image:Göteborg city arms.png|left|50px|]] '''[[Gothenburg]]''' (1619), the second largest city in Sweden, was founded in 1621 by [[Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden|Gustav II Adolf]]. The city arms feature the [[Folkung]] lion of the [[#State heraldry|Greater Coat of Arms of Sweden]], but armed with a drawn sword and bearing the "Svea Rikes" shield (a blue shield charged with three gold crowns). The lion, king of the animals, stands for power and agility.<ref name="Gothenburg">{{cite web |url= http://www.goteborg.se/wps/portal/!ut/p/c0/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gjU-9AJyMvYwMDSycXA6MQFxNDPwtTIyNXM_2CbEdFAB7ex1E!/?WCM_PORTLET=PC_7_25KQB2J3009BD02TD41N8522E3_WCM&WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/wps/wcm/connect/goteborg.se/goteborg_se/PolitikoOrganisation/Om+Goteborg/Historia/art_N010_Stadsvapnets_historia |title= Stadsvapnets historia |work= Om Göteborg |language= Swedish |accessdate=2008-07-04}}</ref> The direction of the Gothenburg lion and the crown have been especially controversial.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.ngw.nl/int/zwe/g/goteborg.htm |title= Gothenburg |work= Sveriges Kommunvapen (Swedish Civic Heraldry) |date=2008-07-01 |accessdate=2008-07-04}}</ref> The blazon received in 1952 read: "Azure, three wavy bends sinister argent, overlaid with a lefthanded lion crowned with closed crown or, with forked tail, langued and armed gules, swinging with the right forepaw a sword or, and maintaining in the left a shield azure with three crowns or, arranged two and one."<ref name="Gothenburg" /> [[Image:Kristianstad vapen.svg|left|50px|]] '''[[Kristianstad]]''' (1614) was founded in 1614 as Christianstad by King [[Christian IV of Denmark]], and has used arms derived from his own since 1622.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.kristianstad.se/sv/Om-kommunen/ |title= Om kommunen |work= Kristianstad.se |language= Swedish |accessdate=2008-06-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.ngw.nl/int/zwe/k/kristian.htm |title= Kristianstad |work= Sveriges Kommunvapen (Swedish Civic Heraldry) |date=2008-07-01 |accessdate=2008-07-02}}</ref> Blazon: Azure, a C4 monogram crowned and supported by lions or. [[Image:Sundsvall_vapen.svg|left|50px|]] '''[[Sundsvall]]''' (1621) was chartered as a city in 1621, later became a leader in industrial lumber production, and continues to be important to the pulp and paper industry. [[Sundsvall Municipality]] uses a red S-shaped dragon symbol in all official documents and on its website. It also has arms depicting two crossed blue furkets (''muskötgafflar'') and a helmet of blue on a field of silver, symbolizing the city's military history and dating back to the 1620s.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.sundsvall.se/omsundsvallskommun/organisation/stadsvapenochmarke.4.5c31f1e71084d60515e80002441.html |title = Stadsvapen och märke |language = Swedish |accessdate=2008-06-29 |date = 2008-06-29 |publisher = Sundsvall.se}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.ngw.nl/int/zwe/s/sundsval.htm |title= Sundsvall |work= Sveriges Kommunvapen (Swedish Civic Heraldry) |date=2008-07-01 |accessdate=2008-07-02}}</ref> [[Image:Kiruna vapen.svg|left|50px|]] '''[[Kiruna]]''' (1948), an iron mining town in the 20th century, became chartered as the northernmost city in Sweden in 1948 and is the seat of [[Kiruna Municipality]], which also includes the annually rebuilt [[ice hotel]] in nearby [[Jukkasjärvi]]. The city arms of Kiruna were granted in 1949, and the municipal arms were registered in 1974. Blazon: Party per fess: Argent, the [[Iron]] [[alchemical symbol]] azure; Azure, a [[ptarmigan]] argent. Sparking local political controversy, the ptarmigan received red claws and beak in 1971.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.ngw.nl/int/zwe/k/kiruna.htm |title= Kiruna |work= Sveriges Kommunvapen (Swedish Civic Heraldry) |date=2008-07-01 |accessdate=2008-07-04}}</ref> === Other municipal arms === [[Image:Oxelösund vapen.svg|left|50px|]] '''[[Oxelösund Municipality|Oxelösund]]''' is one example of a municipality emerging from a split between two cities – in this case, [[Nyköping]] and [[Oxelösund]], which are now in neighboring municipalities since the splitting of Nikolai rural municipality in 1950. [[Image:Stenungsund vapen.svg|left|50px|]] '''[[Stenungsund Municipality|Stenungsund]]''' is one example of a municipality that, having no historic city arms, created wholly new arms in the 1970s. This device, displaying a [[hydrocarbon]] [[molecule]], alludes to the area's [[petrochemical]] industry, and is also an example of distinctly modern arms. == Ecclesiastical heraldry == [[Image:Svenska kyrkan vapen.svg|thumb|left|100px|Arms of the [[Church of Sweden]]]] {{Commonscat|Coats of arms of Church of Sweden}} {{Main|Ecclesiastical heraldry}} The [[Church of Sweden]] (''[[:sv:Svenska kyrkan]]'') is the national church (''folkkyrka'') and, until 2000, was the [[State religion|state church]] (''statskyrka'') of Sweden.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.svenskakyrkan.se/default.aspx?di=37017 |title= Facts about the Church of Sweden |accessdate=2008-06-29 |publisher= Svenskakyrkan.se}}</ref> The arms of the church have been found displayed on a 14th century [[heraldic flag]] discovered in [[Uppsala cathedral]],<ref name="Svenska kyrkan" /> and are blazoned: "Or, upon a cross gules, a crown or." (''En guld-sköld med ett rött kors och en gyllene krona.'')<ref>{{cite web |url= http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bengt_Olof_Kälde |title= Bengt Olof Kälde |language= Swedish |accessdate=2008-06-29 |date= 2007-03-24 |work= Swedish Wikipedia |publisher=Wikimedia Foundation}}</ref> The red cross is said to represent "God's love", as well as blood and fire, and the gold field is said to represent "the everlasting light" as well as "God's honesty and power", and the crown is said to be a crown of victory (''segerkrona''), symbolising [[Jesus Christ]], the worldly kings, and victory over death.<ref name="Svenska kyrkan">{{cite web |url= http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svenska_kyrkan |title= Svenska kyrkan |language= Swedish |accessdate=2008-06-29 |date= 2008-06-27 |work= Swedish Wikipedia |publisher=Wikimedia Foundation}}</ref> The Church of Sweden also has many [[diocese]]s and [[parish]]es with their own coats of arms. According to tradition, the [[crosier]] is displayed in the arms of bishops in office but is removed when a bishop retires.{{Fact|date=July 2008}} == Private heraldry == === Noble arms === Noble arms (''adliga vapen''), together with royal and municipal heraldry, are protected under Swedish law since 1970.<ref name="SFS 1970:498" /> In the 17th and 18th century, the nobility fought to ban [[burgher arms]] (''borgerliga vapen''). The result in 1767 was a compromise in that granted the nobility the exclusive right to barred or [[Armet|open helmets]], coronets, and [[supporter]]s, while "the Town law of 1730 stated that burgher arms are accepted since they are not forbidden."<ref name="SHS The Swedish Way" /> A coronet of eleven pearls is a distinctive feature of a baron's arms in Sweden, which also typically include two helmets, each wearing this coronet, and a third such coronet is placed above the shield, although some baronial arms feature three helmets or only one, and not every baron uses supporters.<ref>{{cite book |author= Volborth, Carl-Alexander von |date= 1981 |title= Heraldry: Customs, Rules and Styles |publisher= Blandford Press |location= Poole, England |pages= p. 145 |ISBN= 0713709405}}</ref> The earliest known achievements of heraldry in Sweden were the noble arms of two brothers, Sigtrygg and Lars Bengtsson, of the Boberg family, dating to 1219.<ref name="SHS The Swedish Way" /> === Burgher arms === Throughout the [[Middle Ages]], heraldry in Sweden was primarily the domain of the high nobility, but [[burgher arms]] came to Sweden in the 14th century by way of the [[Hanseatic League|Hansa]] trade.<ref name="SHS The Swedish Way">{{cite web |url= http://www.heraldik.se/english_3.html |title= The Swedish Way |work= www.heraldik.se |publisher= Swedish Heraldry Society |date=2005-06-02 |accessdate=2008-07-02}}</ref> This may have been especially true in Stockholm, where there was a large German population.<ref>{{cite book |author= Volborth, Carl-Alexander von |date= 1981 |title= Heraldry: Customs, Rules and Styles |publisher= Blandford Press |location= Poole, England |pages= p. 96 |ISBN= 0713709405}}</ref> While burgher arms became popular among the merchants of the Middle Ages, by the 16th and 17th century their use was "common among the non-noble officers, judges and priests... while the merchants tended to give up the tradition of heraldic seals and replace them with [[Trademark|owner’s marks]]."<ref name="SHS The Swedish Way" /> In contrast to noble arms, burgher arms are allowed only a shield with one [[Jousting|tilting]] or [[Great helm|closed helmet]] without a necklace or coronet. A wreath and crest must be placed on the helmet, and a [[motto]] or [[Battle cry|war cry]] can be used.<ref name="SHS The Swedish Way" /> Unlike noble arms, few burgher arms were handed down through the generations.<ref>{{cite book |author= Volborth, Carl-Alexander von |date= 1981 |title= Heraldry: Customs, Rules and Styles |publisher= Blandford Press |location= Poole, England |pages= p. 96 |ISBN= 0713709405}}</ref> Burgher arms are not required to be registered with the [[Swedish Patent and Registration Office|PRV]], and so they are not protected under Swedish law (1970:498). According to the Swedish Heraldry Society, the most common way of obtaining recognition of burgher arms is by inclusion in the annually-published Scandinavian Roll of Arms (''Skandinavisk Vapenrulla''), which currently includes over 400 Swedish family coats of arms, along with arms from the other Scandinavian countries. Approximately 3000 burgher arms are known today in Sweden.<ref name="SHS Reg" /> Swedish law protects "arms of the nobility as well as civic bodies, while burgher arms are not [protected], unless registered as a logotype."<ref name="SHS Reg">{{cite web |url= http://www.heraldik.se/english_2.html |title= Registration of Arms |work= www.heraldik.se |publisher= Swedish Heraldry Society |date=2005-06-02 |accessdate=2008-07-01}}</ref> == Samples == === Samples of military arms of Sweden === <center><gallery> Image:Armén vapen.svg| [[Swedish Army]] Image:Marinen vapen.svg| [[Swedish Navy]] Image:Flygvapnet vapen.svg| [[Swedish Air Force]] Image:Hemvärnet vapen.svg| [[Swedish Home Guard]] </gallery></center> === Samples of county arms of Sweden === <center><gallery> Image:Dalarna vapen.svg| [[Dalarna County|Dalarna]] Image:Gotland vapen.svg| [[Gotland County|Gotland]] Image:Jämtland län vapen.svg| [[Jämtland County|Jämtland]] Image:Skåne län vapen.svg| [[Skåne County|Skåne]] Image:Stockholm län vapen.svg| [[Stockholm County|Stockholm]] Image:Uppland vapen.svg| [[Uppsala County|Uppland]] Image:Värmland vapen.svg| [[Värmland County|Värmland]] Image:Östergötland vapen.svg| [[Östergötland County|Östergötland]] </gallery></center> === Samples of municipal arms of Sweden === <center><gallery> Image:Alingsås city arms.png| [[Alingsås Municipality|Alingsås]] Image:Arvika vapen.svg| [[Arvika Municipality|Arvika]] Image:Eskilstuna vapen.svg| [[Eskilstuna Municipality|Eskilstuna]] Image:Coat of arms of Helsingborg, Sweden grey.png| [[Helsingborg Municipality|Helsingborg]] Image:Håbo vapen.svg| [[Håbo Municipality|Håbo]] Image:Krokom vapen.svg| [[Krokom Municipality|Krokom]] Image:Mora vapen.svg| [[Mora Municipality|Mora]] Image:Mullsjö vapen.svg| [[Mullsjö Municipality|Mullsjö]] Image:Munkfors vapen.svg| [[Munkfors Municipality|Munkfors]] Image:Tingsryd vapen.svg| [[Tingsryd Municipality|Tingsryd]] Image:Umeå vapen.svg| [[Umeå Municipality|Umeå]] Image:Vaxholm vapen.svg| [[Vaxholm Municipality|Vaxholm]] </gallery></center> === Samples of personal heraldry === <center><gallery> Image:Södermanland vapen.svg|[[Bo Jonsson Grip]]<ref>Bo Jonsson Grip, a 14th century Swedish noble, is attributed the arms depicting a black griffin on a gold (yellow) field, upon which the arms of Södermanland (in which Gripsholm is situated) were later based.[http://home01.wxs.nl/~artrako/Scandinavie/ZwAdel-EN.html The Noble Grip Family]</ref> Image:Blason Albert de Mecklembourg (selon Gelre).svg|[[Albert of Sweden|Albrecht of Mecklenburg]] Image:Vasa Royal COA.svg|[[Gustav I of Sweden|Gustav Vasa]] Image:Bernadotte coa.svg|[[Charles XIV John of Sweden|Karl XIV Johan (Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte)]] </gallery></center> ==Terminology== In English, achievements of arms are usually described in a kind of heraldic jargon known as "blazonry" or "blazon", a highly specialized language peppered with French terms. In Swedish, however, achievements of arms are described clearly in relatively plain language, using only Swedish terms and tending to avoid specialized jargon. Some obvious examples of this are the use of Swedish ''Blå'' for blue, as compared to ''Azure'', and ''Grön'' for green, as compared to ''Vert'' in Blazonry. {| class="wikitable" border="1" cellpadding="2" ![[Division of the field]] ![[Image:Parted per fess.svg|90px|]] ![[Image:Parted per pale.svg|90px|]] ![[Image:Parted per bend sinister.svg|90px|]] ![[Image:Parted quarterly.svg|90px|]] ![[Image:Parted quarterly with a heart.svg|90px|]] |- !English name |Parted per fess |Parted per pale |Parted per bend sinister |Parted quarterly |Parted quarterly with a heart |- !Svenskt namn |Delad |Kluven |Ginstyckad |Kvadrerad |Kvadrerad med hjärtsköld |} {| class="wikitable" cellpadding="2" ![[Ordinaries]] ![[Image:Pale demo.svg|70px|]] ![[Image:Fess demo.svg|70px|]] ![[Image:Bend demo.svg|70px|]] ![[Image:Bend Sinister demo.svg|70px|]] ![[Image:Blason ville fr Calvi (Haute-Corse).svg|70px|]] ![[Image:Blason ville fr Offignies (Somme).svg|70px|]] ![[Image:Chevron demo.svg|70px|]] ![[Image:Bordure demo.svg|70px|]] |- !English name |Pale |Fess |Bend |Bend sinister |Cross |Saltire |Chevron |Bordure |- !Svenskt namn |Stolpe |Bjälke |Balk |Ginbalk |Kors |Andreaskors |Sparre |Bård |} {| class="wikitable" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" ! [[Tincture (heraldry)|Tinctures]] ! Term använd på svenska |- ! colspan=3 | ''Metals'' |- | Or | Guld (gul) |- | Argent | Silver (vit) |- ! colspan=3 | ''Paints'' |- | Azure | Blå |- | Gules | Röd |- | Purpure | Purpur |- | Sable | Svart |- | Vert | Grön |- ! colspan=3 | ''Furs'' |- | Ermine | Hermelin |- | Vair | Gråverk |} == References == {{reflist|2}} == External links == {{commonscat|Coats of arms of Sweden}} * [http://www.ngw.nl/index.htm International Civic Heraldry] listing in English * [http://databas.heraldik.se/DBListSlaktvapenGrid.php Burgher arms] in the Swedish heraldry database (Swedish) * [http://www.heraldik.se/english_3.html The Swedish Way] by the Swedish Heraldry Society (English) * [http://hem.fyristorg.com/monitorforlaget/index.html Skandinavisk Vapenrulla] - in Swedish only * [http://www.heraldik.se/svk/ Svenskt Vapenregister] - not yet available in English * [http://www.prv.se/In-English/ Swedish Patent and Registration Office] - in English (bilingual web site) {{Heraldry by country}} [[Category:Swedish heraldry]]