Swedish Arms
VÄRMLAND AND VÄRMLANDS LÄN
Värmland :
Värmlands Län :
Origin/meaning :
As the arms of the present province of Värmland (Värmlands Län) are identical to the arms of the former Värmland region, the two arms are dealt with together.
The oldest arms known for Värmland date from the banner granted by Gustav Vasa in the early 16th century. The arms showed in silver a black wolverine. Why the wolverine was chosen is not clear. It is not a very typical animal in heraldry.
In 1567 the arms were changed to the more common eagle. Why this was done is also not known. It may have been the unfamiliarity of the wolverine, or the similarity with the arms of Medelpad, which at the time showed a beaver in similar colours. The eagle has been one of the symbols used by the Royal family since the middle of the 16th century. The original arms showed a black eagle on a silver filed, which was later changed in blue on silver.
The arms of the province were granted in 1936.
Literature : Nevéus and de Waern, Ny Svensk Vapenbok, 1992.
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