Icelandic Heraldry - Coats of Arms

Icelandic Heraldry: A Unique Tradition

Icelandic heraldry, while influenced by the German-Nordic tradition, has its own distinct features. Here are the key points:

1. Coat of Arms of Iceland:

   • The national coat of arms of Iceland consists of a silver cross on a sky-blue field. Within the silver cross, there is a bright red cross.
   • The arms of the cross extend to the rim of the shield on all four sides.
   • The width of the silver cross is 2/9 of the shield’s width, while the red cross is half as wide, at 1/9 of the shield’s width¹.

2. Distinctive Features:

   • Landscape-Type Logos: Due to Iceland’s relative isolation and lack of a governing body for heraldry, many civic bodies use vaguely heraldic landscape-type logos. These logos often depict natural elements, reflecting Iceland’s unique geography.
   • Fish and Maritime Symbols: Given Iceland’s historical reliance on fishing, fish and maritime symbols (such as lighthouses) are prominent.
   • Stockfish: An intriguing charge found in Icelandic heraldry is the stockfish—a headless cod, sometimes flattened. Historically, stockfish was even Iceland’s own heraldic symbol.
   • Tinctures: Icelandic heraldry uses colors such as silver, gold, blue, red, black, and green. Notably absent are purple and furs, which are rare in other Nordic heraldic traditions².

3. Historical Origins:

   • Heraldry in Iceland began with seals in the 13th century. The earliest known seal belonged to Hrafn Sveinbjarnarson, featuring a raven—a canting arms representing his name.
   • Personal coats of arms were rare in medieval Iceland, but they reflected the island’s distinctive flora and fauna.
   • Some Icelandic nobles were granted arms by the King of Norway after Iceland became part of the Kingdom of Norway in 1262.
   • Knights like Haukur Erlendsson and Loftur the Rich Guttormsson bore noble arms featuring falcons.
   • Noble arms granted in the 15th century included charges like bears and unicorns².

In summary, Icelandic heraldry weaves together history, nature, and symbolism. Its unique features make it a captivating field of study, reflecting the spirit of this remarkable island nation²¹. 🇮🇸🌟

!Icelandic Coat of Arms