Heraldry of the World

The largest heraldry site on the net, with presently coats of arms on-line !

You are here : Home > Europe > United Kingdom > Scotland
 


Civic Heraldry of the United Kingdom
Scotland

LERWICK (Burgh)

Incorporated into : 1975: Shetland Islands

Origin/meaning :
The arms were granted on April 20, 1882.

The Viking warship at sea recalls the old link with the Nordic countries and Lerwick's reliance on the sea. The battle-axe in the chief is a symbol for the Norse warriors. The crest shows a raven, which is an important bird in Norse mythology. Ravens were the companions of Odin and ravens were also used to determine in which direction the land was when the Vikings made long journeys.

Lerwick is the northernmost Burgh in the United Kingdom, which is reflected in the motto from Tacitus : "Dispecta est Thule" (Thule is seen through the gloom), Thule being the mysterious island at the top of the world.

Literature : Image from Ja-Ja card; Porteous, 1906


Home © Ralf Hartemink 1996, ->

See also my other sites Food-Info.net and Food Dictionary


Disclaimer:
This site is private and non-commercial. All sources are mentioned when known. If you own copyrights to the information provided and are not mentioned, please contact the webmaster.

The information (texts or pictures) of this site may be used for private purposes but only after permission of the webmaster and with credit/link to this site. Be aware that for many non-commercial purposes permission of the (municipal) council to which the arms belong is needed ! When not sure, contact the council.
Use of the images in Wikipedia is allowed with reference to this site and/or the original source as mentioned on the site. Use template {{ngw}} for Dutch images and {{ngw2}} for non-Dutch images and always add original source. It is not allowed to use texts of this site on Wikipedia without permission !

For commercial purposes permission of the council as well as the webmaster of this site is always needed. The webmaster of this site is not responsible for commercial use of the material provided.
Disclaimer last changed on April 29, 2008 (addition Wikipedia templates), previous change January 2007 (addition Wikipedia text), previous change 2001.