National Arms of Greenland: Difference between revisions
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File:Greenlandp.jpg|alt=National arms of Greenland|Postal cancellation 1974 | File:Greenlandp.jpg|alt=National arms of Greenland|Postal cancellation 1974 | ||
File:groenlan.jpg|alt=National arms of Greenland|The Greenlandic arms from the 1990s with red tongue | File:groenlan.jpg|alt=National arms of Greenland|The Greenlandic arms from the 1990s with red tongue | ||
File:groenland3.jpg|alt=National arms of Greenland|The arms on the [[Qeqertarsuaq]] post office, 1998 | |||
File:groenland4.jpg|alt=National arms of Greenland|he arms on the Qeqertarsuaq post office, 1998 | |||
File:Gl-195.jpg|alt=National arms of Greenland|The arms on a 1989 stamp | File:Gl-195.jpg|alt=National arms of Greenland|The arms on a 1989 stamp | ||
File:natarms.glpc.jpg|alt=National arms of Greenland|National arms of Greenland on a postcard | File:natarms.glpc.jpg|alt=National arms of Greenland|National arms of Greenland on a postcard | ||
Latest revision as of 14:24, 7 April 2024
THE NATIONAL ARMS OF GREENLAND
| English | blazon wanted |
Origin/meaning
The national arms depict the polar bear, the largest land-based carnivorous animal in Greenland.
The bear is known as the arms for Greenland since the 17th century, when King Frederik III collected the arms of all this territories, which included Greenland. This was surprising, as there were no Danish officials on the island until 1721. The island was inhabited first by Europeans in the year 1000 by Icelandic settlers. These Europeans or Norsemen disappeared in the second half of the 15th century.
From the end of 16th century onwards many European countries sailed to Greenland for whaling, mainly British and Dutch. These countries never tried to built longtime settlements on the island. The Danes started this in the 18th century. The claim of Frederik thus was based on the Norsemen, as Iceland at the time was a Danish possession. The colours are also known since 1666 and have not changed.
Until the Greenlandic Home Rule the bear had his right paw raised, instead of the left paw, which is the normal pose for heraldic animals. The bear is also part of the Danish National Arms, with the right paw raised. But, as Greenlanders have found out by experience, a polar bear normally attacks with his left paw. It is therefore more logical to have the left paw raised.
Image gallery
The arms in the Copenhagen city hall
The arms on a Dutch Willem II cigar band
The arms in an 1950s album
National arms of Greenland on a postcard
National arms of Greenland on a postcard
The Greenlandic arms from 1958-1985
Postal cancellation 1974
The Greenlandic arms from the 1990s with red tongue
The arms on the Qeqertarsuaq post office, 1998
he arms on the Qeqertarsuaq post office, 1998
The arms on a 1989 stamp
National arms of Greenland on a postcard
The Greenlandic arms on an (unofficial) coin from 2011
Literature : Achen, S.T. : Danmarks Kommunevåbener. Komma, København, 1982.
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Civic heraldry of Greenland |
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