The history of the coat of arms of Sweden originates from the coat of arms of the King of Sweden Eric III, who can be considered the first official symbol of the country. In 1224, for the first time, three leopards appeared on it, which were located one above the other, which looked like a Danish coat of arms. After the death (in 1249) of King Eric, there were no direct heirs. Jarl Birger from the noble family of the Volkungs, as the closest assistant to the late ruler, achieved the throne for his young son, Waldemar, who was the nephew of Eric on the female side.
Golden Lion
Jarl Binger, who ruled Sweden as the guardian of his son until 1266, had on his clan coat of arms an image of a golden lion on a azure background over three left silver bandages. After the transfer of all power to an adult Valdemar, the new king used the coat of arms of Uncle Eric III as his coat of arms, on which were three lions. In 1225, Waldemar's brother Margus Birger overthrew him from the throne, nicknamed the Defender of the Peasants. He, unlike his predecessor, decided to remain committed to the tribal heraldry of the Volkung family, but crowned lions appeared on the new coat of arms.
Three crowns
Three golden crowns - the most famous feature in the world, which recognize the coat of arms of Sweden. What does this heraldic element mean and what is its purpose? Disputes about this do not stop to this day, and a variety of hypotheses are put forward. Interestingly, crowns are on the oldest known royal seal. Three crowns as one of the main elements of the coat of arms was introduced by King Albert of Mecklenburg (1363-1389). One version connects the appearance on the emblem of these details with the most widespread cult of the Three Kings at that time - the Magi, who brought gifts to the baby Christ. This cult gained strength and became widespread after Frederick Barabarossa transferred the relics of the Magi from Milan to Cologne in 1164. The second version refers three crowns to the symbol of the Holy Trinity.
There are versions that treat crowns as a regular heraldic element. Some researchers claim that they look like the crown of a Mecklenburg family coat of arms reinforced with a sacred number, or they are signs of possession of Mecklenburg, Finland and Sweden. Another version says that the crowns are nothing but the emblem of the legendary King Arthur, embodying all the moral ideals of holy chivalry, or just one of the emblems of the kings of Ancient Ireland.
The national emblem of Sweden is used as the main symbol of the state. In certain cases, a large national emblem is necessary when conducting official events in parliament and government, the army and foreign Swedish diplomatic missions.
Large coat of arms
The large national emblem of Sweden can be used as the basis for personal emblems by members of the royal family. All changes and additions concerning the main symbol of the country are approved only by the head of state.
The large state emblem is a four-color shield divided by a golden cross with a coat of arms of the royal house in the middle.
On the first and fourth parts of the shield are three open golden crowns (two on the top and one on the bottom). The second and fourth parts of the shield include six left silver and azure bevels and a crowned golden lion in scarlet surroundings.
The central shield is cut into four parts. In the first - the coat of arms of the VAZ house: two right silver and azure bevels and a golden sheaf on an scarlet field. The coat of arms of the Bernadotte family is depicted on the second part of the shield: a silver three-arch suspension bridge with two towers, on which there is an eagle holding golden peruni in its paws, and on top is the constellation Ursa Major.
The shield is held in the clutches of two crowned guardian lions of gold color with scarlet weapons and forked tails. Lions stand on a gold base. At the top of the shield is the royal crown, surrounded by the signs of the knighthood of the Seraphim.
The large coat of arms of Sweden uses the purple ermine robe as a background, with gold tassels, cords and fringe.
There is a simplified version of the large coat of arms, on which there are no order signs, shield-bearing lions, mantle and base.
Small coat of arms
The Small National Emblem of Sweden consists of a light-blue shield with a royal crown at the top and three open gold crowns (two on top of one). Additionally, the shield can be surrounded around the perimeter with the insignia of the Seraphim.
Three open golden crowns without a royal crown and shield are Sweden's simplified small coat of arms. The photo of the hockey team of this country, where such a small coat of arms is depicted on the sweaters of the players, made three crowns one of the most recognizable world symbols.
Swedish organizations and companies wishing to use the elements of the state emblem in their symbols are required to obtain special permission from the State Heraldry Council.