Coat of arms of Sweden

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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.

1 The greater coat of arms
2 The lesser coat of arms
- 2.1 Alternate official designs
3 Regulated usage
4 See also

[edit] The greater coat of arms

Image:Sweden greater arms.png

[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] Crown

The arms show a royal crown above the escutcheon

[edit] Supporters

The escutcheon is supported by two lions, here depicted traditonally as "Swedish" lions with doubble tails and crown with Royal Crowns. The lion has for centuries been an important element in Swedish heraldry and then especially for the State Coat of Arms,

[edit] Collar of the Order of Seraphim

The escutcheon is also surmounted with the Collar of the Order of Seraphim or the Order of His Majesty the King. The order is the most prominent in Sweden, and the Collar of the Order is the highest honour that the State can bestow on an individual.

[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] Alternate official designs

[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] Alternate official designs

[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.

See Three Crowns