^{This page is part of © FOTW Flags Of The World website}

Latvia - Coat of Arms

by Gvido Petersons, 9 April 2002

by Zachary Harden, 15 November 2001

Coat of Arms

See also:

Latvia

Coat of Arms

From <www.latinst.lv>:
The Latvian national coat of arms was formed after the proclamation of an independent Latvian Republic and was specially created for its independent statehood. The national coat of arms combines symbols of Latvian national statehood as well as symbols of ancient historical districts. The sun in the upper part of the coat of arms symbolises Latvian national statehood. A stylised depiction of the sun was used as a symbol of distinction and national identity by Latvian riflemen – latviesu strelnieki – recruited into the Russian imperial army during WWI. During WWI the sun figure fashioned with 17 rays that symbolised the 17 inhabited Latvian districts. The three stars above the coat of arms embody the idea of the inclusion of historical districts (united Kurzeme – Zemgale, Vidzeme and Latgale) into a united Latvia. Culturally historical regions are also characterised by older heraldic figures, which already appeared in the 1600's. Kuzeme and Zemgale (Western Latvia and South-western Latvia) are symbolised by a red lion. The lion appears as early as 1569 in the coat of arms of the former duke of Kurzeme. Vidzeme and Latgale (North-eastern Latvia and South-eastern Latvia) are symbolised by the legendary winged silver creature with an eagle’s head, a griffin. This symbol appeared in 1566, when the territories known today as Vidzeme and