The capital of the Netherlands, a state with ancient heraldic traditions, has chosen the most beautiful elements for its official symbol. Today, the coat of arms of Amsterdam looks dignified and stylish, demonstrating loyalty to traditions and the chosen constitutional order.
Rich palette
The coat of arms of the capital of the Netherlands is designed in the classical tradition, it contains different elements. At the same time, it is impossible to say which of them are the main ones, which play a secondary role. The coat of arms consists of four main parts:
- a stylish shield in black-red-white colors;
- two supporters, carnivorous lions, standing on the base;
- the city's motto;
- imperial crown.
The palette of colors, which was used to draw the elements of the coat of arms, cannot be called harmonious. Each of the parts looks stylish separately, when all together, it seems that there are too many colors and they do not look next to each other.
Symbols of individual parts and elements
Officially, the modern coat of arms was approved by the Dutch authorities in 1816, at the same time, looking at its elements, it becomes clear that the symbols used are much more ancient.
For example, the shape of the shield and its color (scarlet), one nuance - in the center there is a black stripe with three white (silver) oblique crosses, a case unique for heraldic practice.
Scientists still cannot put forward a single version of what these oblique crosses symbolize. Some experts correlate them with the crosses of St. Andrew the First-Called, the second, hints at natural disasters that the Dutch faced in the past, among these negative factors - plague, flood and fire.
Empire crown and lions
Heraldry experts say that the first crown appeared on the coat of arms of Amsterdam back in 1489, it was a gift from King Maximilian I of Germany. In 1508, the headdress was replaced, and a crown that Maximilian himself wore appeared in the image. Three hundred years later, this dress of the monarch was also replaced, this time with the Austrian imperial crown, which is present on the coat of arms to this day.
Shield holders, handsome lions, appeared on the heraldic symbol of Amsterdam only at the end of the 16th century; they support not only the shield, but also the crown. The motto is written on a silver scroll, the words can be translated as "Valor, courage, compassion." This motto was added to the image in 1947, after the heroism of the Dutch during the war with Nazi Germany.
