Coat of arms of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth

The coat of arms of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth was the symbol of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, representing the union of the Crown of the Polish Kingdom and Grand Duchy of Lithuania.[1]

Coat of arms of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
ArmigerKing of Poland/Grand Duke of Lithuania
AdoptedFollowing 1386[Note 1][citation needed]
ShieldQuarterly 1st and 4th Gules, an eagle argent, crowned or; 2nd and 3rd, Gules, Pogonia.[1][2][3][4]

Modern reconstruction edit

Background edit

The coat of arms of the Commonwealth combined the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, which are depicted as follows:

During the Commonwealth, an inescutcheon contained the personal or family arms of the reigning monarch.

Insurrections edit

During the January uprising a similar coat of arms was proposed for the restored Commonwealth, with Archangel Michael, the coat of arms of Ruthenia added as the third element. However, it was never officially introduced.

The coat of arms in various cities edit

See also edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ Adopted after the Union of Krewo, 184 years before the creation of the Commonwealth.

References edit

  1. ^ a b Rimša, Egidijus. "Lietuvos valstybės herbas". Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija (in Lithuanian). Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  2. ^ "History of the national coat of arms of Lithuania". Seimas. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  3. ^ "Double Cross". Seimas. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  4. ^ Herby Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej i Wielkiego Księstwa Litewskiego. Orły, Pogonie, województwa, książęta, kardynałowie, prymasi, hetmani, kanclerze, marszałkowie (in Polish). Jagiellonian Library. 1875–1900. pp. 6, 30, 32, 58, 84, 130, 160, 264, 282, 300. Retrieved 21 August 2021.