The Czech Coat of Arms and Flag | History and Information

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National coats of arms contain a lot of history inside, they serve as a reflection of important historical events for the region that are added or removed over the years or centuries. All the elements that make it up have a reason and explain a bit of history of the country or region.

The ones in charge of solving these, in many cases, riddles, are heraldry and it entails an in-depth study. Deciphering its coat of arms and its meaning is one of the auxiliary sciences of history, such as diplomas or stamps, for example.

Heraldry is usually a composition of shields, quarters, emblems or figures that contain the coats of arms. The coats of arms arose in the middle ages when the knights had to wear something that identified them, we could say that it was like a kind of logo or brand that differentiated them from the rest and this brand was transmitted by family, with which the shield was ended up linking certain families and lineages.

They serve to identify lineages, guilds, associations or companies, villages, regions, cities, or institutions.

In the modern age from 16 to 19 they are highly developed and are more associated with the nobility. But the truth is that everyone can access their own personal coat of arms and then also give it to their descendants.

Czech flag colors

The white, red and blue colors of the Czech flag are part of the traditional Slavic colors.
The white and red colors are historical Czech colors derived from the traditional Czech coat of arms (a silver lion on a red field ). Today the blue color is a field reminder of the Moravian coat of arms.

The Czech flag

The Czech Republic took over the flag of the former Czechoslovakia when it was established on January 1, 1993 (created by the peaceful division of Czechoslovakia into the Czech and Slovak Republics), which was adopted by the National Assembly of the Czechoslovak Republic on March 30, 1920.

The size ratio of the blue wedge to the white (top) and red (bottom) fields should be proportional to 2:3. According to traditional heraldic regulations, when the flag is properly hung, the main color (white) it hangs up, with the blue wedge on the left (towards the pole) and the red one on the bottom. In a vertical position, the white color is on the left, the blue wedge is on top, and the red color is on the right (see images above).

History of the coat of arms

The coat of arms of the Czech Republic in its current form is the result of a relatively complex development, the beginning of which can be dated to the 12th to 13th centuries. From the royal title of Emperor Frederick I. Barbarossa and replacement of the existing emblem with an eagle, coat of arms with a silver lion on a red field. However, the first documented lion, as a symbol of the ruling Přemyslid dynasty, dates back to 1213 from the equestrian seal of the Moravian margrave Vladislav Jindřich. Originally, it was a rather Přemyslid dynastic coat of arms, while the symbol of the land remained the so-called Saint Wenceslas Eagle, as medieval rulers tried to strengthen their position.

With the establishment of an independent Czechoslovak state in October 1918, there was also a need for a new sovereign coat of arms that would express not only a change in constitutional conditions, but also the continuity of the historical development of the Czech lands with the newly formed state. . On the basis of the survey, the official of the Archives office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Jaroslav Kursa, prepared a proposal for the implementation of small, medium and large national emblems, which were based on the historical provincial emblems of the countries in question. . The art design itself was done by František Kysela. The existence of these three characteristics of the Czechoslovak Republic was confirmed by Law no. 252/1920 Sat. of March 30, 1920.

First Lion

In the first and fourth red field of the great coat of arms we find a silver lion. The fact that it is exceptional is evidenced not only by the crown on the head, but above all by the two tails. Since the arrival of King Přemysl Otakar II. on the throne in 1253, the lion in this form is the emblem of the Czech monarchs.

Moravian Eagle

In the second field of the large coat of arms is the Moravian eagle. It is silver-red, checkered, and sits on a blue field. This emblem also appeared in this form for the first time during the reign of King Přemysl Otakar II.

As early as 1272, we find it, for example, on the seal of the city of Znojmo.

Second Lion

The Czech Republic is made up of Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia. Already in 1272 we find the lion on the shield, for example, on the seal of the city of Znojmo. Each of these territories is represented by a large emblem. That’s why the lion is there a second time.

Silesian Eagle

In the third field we see the emblem of Silesia. It consists of a black eagle wearing a silver spring on its chest. This spring is in the shape of a narrow horizontal crescent and extends to the wings. End here with clubs. The spring is complemented by a cross on the chest.

The Czech coat of arms during the Nazi occupation

The largest coat of arms of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia has a square shield. In its upper right and lower left field is the Czech coat of arms: on the red shield a two-tailed silver lion in a leap facing right In the upper left and lower right field the Moravian emblem: on the blue shield a eagle facing right, silver and red checkered, with a headdress and armor, all gold.

With the liberation of Czechoslovakia in 1945, only a small coat of arms was put into practice, except for presidential regulations, where a large coat of arms was kept, supplemented by the Pravda vítězí motto. Although the Constitution of May 9, 1948 stipulated that the coat of arms and the flag were regulated by law (§169), no law was issued with this wording. Only the law of November 17, 1960 no. 163 established a new state emblem (according to the proposal of M. Hegar), which was to reflect the so-called “consummation of socialism” in Czechoslovakia. It was more of an emblem that contradicted the heraldic rules, although at least it retained the symbol of the Czech land: the lion.

 

Coat of arms – Prague head of the kingdom

Escudo de armas - Praga cabeza del reino

The emblem of a united Prague was the emblem of the Old Town of Prague, as the seat of the Old Town Council, as regulated by privilege in 1649. This emblem then changed only vaguely and was valid until 1918. In the lower half there is a gilt wall with silver battlements and an open gate with a gold grille drawn on it. A silver armored frame holding a silver sword protrudes from the door. At the top of the gable are three golden blocks of blocks. The towers are windowed and topped with gilt battlements and poppy roofs.