Three Crowns
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Image:Sweden lesser arms2.jpg Three Crowns, or Tre Kronor, is a national emblem of Sweden. Nominally they are three coronets ordered two above one which is present in the Coat of Arms of the Realm of Sweden. The history of this symbol isn't entirely clear. Most historians believe it was brought from Germany to Sweden by Albrekt of Mecklenburg in the late fourteenth century. The symbolism is in this theory believed to be a representation of the three wise men, also known as the three kings, that came to visit Jesus at the epiphany. Another theory is that the three crowns simply represented the three old kingdoms that joined to later form Sweden, Three crowns one kingdom. However, that theory is less widely accepted. Another theory is that the three crowns were leftovers after yet another failed attempt at creating a Scandinavian union and that the crowns represent the royal families of Sweden, Denmark and Norway.
The crowns sat on top of the old royal palace in Stockholm, which was hence called Tre Kronor, and which burned down in 1697. Later, they were reinstated on top of the tower of Stockholm's City Hall, and (to some controversy) have come to symbolize Stockholm as well as Sweden as a whole.
The emblem is often used as a symbol of authority by the Swedish government, but other less formal examples exist such as the Swedish national men's ice hockey team, who wear three crowns on their shirts and hence are called "Three Crowns".
[edit] Controversial alternative meaning
The three crowns are on the 1397 seal of Margrete I, who united Denmark, Sweden and Norway (kalmar union) against the German (Holy) threat - which disturbed baltic sea traderoutes. The three crowns are also on the University of Oxford seal which orginates from the same time. They are also on the first freemason seal of York (1705)]. The founding values of these three (by many) examples of the three separated crowns may also create a meaning of a royal symbol of protestantism against the coronation of the Pope as the ruler of the world (among other titles). The Pope's tiara, the Triregnum, also has three crowns, though they are not separated.
[edit] Other three crown designs
Three crowns also form the logo of Coutts & Co, the London based private bankers, but in this case the design comprises one crown at the top, with two below.
Practically identical to the three crowns of Sweden, is that of the flag and crest of the Province of Munster, a region in the south west of the Island of Ireland. Like the Swedish model, it comprises of two crowns above and one below. These represent the three great duchies of the province, Desmond, Ormond and Thomond.
A similar three crowns design is the crest of the city of Kingston-upon-Hull, a large port in Yorkshire, England. This design sees the 3 crowns stacked vertically and relates back to the Royal charter of 1299. The emblem is used by the city council and also the cities 2 rugby league teams.
