Coat of arms of Copenhagen
Coat of arms of Copenhagen | |
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Escutcheon-only
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Details | |
Armiger | Copenhagen |
Adopted | 24 June 1661 |
Supporters | Two lions rampant Proper armed and langued Gules |
Compartment | Cannon, with additional war equipment |
The coat of arms of Copenhagen was granted 24 June 1661[1] by king Frederick III of Denmark in appraisal of its citizens' efforts in repelling the Swedish siege and attack on Copenhagen in 1658-1659. An accompanying royal letter of privilege granted the citizens of Copenhagen the same rights to own fixed property as applied to the Danish nobility.
The central feature of the full arms are three towers rising above water, a symbol also appearing in the town's seal from 1296. The water element also refers to the city's original name Havn meaning "Harbour" (Latin: Hafnia). The left and right towers represented Absalon's castle and the central tower a church building inside the castle.[2] By the 16th century, the central tower was no longer depicted as a church tower, instead it had a gateway with a portcullis.[2] The version granted by King Frederick III modified the original symbol by adding a knight carrying a raised sword in front of the gateway. The central tower features an oval with the king's F3 cypher above the city gate, both elements in gold.
The greater coat of arms features three helmets, banners and a wide assortment of military equipment. An oversized golden crown is shown above but not affixed to the central helmet. Two lions act as supporters.
References
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Coats of arms of Copenhagen. |
- Official website of Copenhagen (Danish)
- City of Copenhagen Design Guide (Danish)
- Articles containing Latin-language text
- Commons category link is locally defined
- Articles with Danish-language external links
- Copenhagen
- 1661 establishments in Denmark
- Culture in Copenhagen
- History of Copenhagen
- Municipal coats of arms in Denmark
- Coats of arms with buildings
- Coats of arms with flags
- Coats of arms with crowns
- Coats of arms with lions
- Coats of arms with moons
- Coats of arms with stars
- Coats of arms with shovels
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- Coats of arms with firearms
- Coats of arms with swords
- Coats of arms with drums
- Coats of arms with cannons