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Danish coats of arms

The lions of the National Coat of Arms of Denmark are a common feature and the most ancient of Estonia's symbols.
When 09.10.2023

These have been used since the 13th century in Estonia, when they served as the Coat of Arms for the Estonia's capital city Tallinn. Tallinn got these blue lions from the King of Denmark Valdemar II, when Denmark was the ruling power in Northern Estonia at that time.

There are two versions of the Danish coat of arms, the small one called the National Coat of Arms and the larger Royal Coat of Arms. The two coats of arms are used by the Royal House and state authorities as a national symbol denoting sovereignty.
The National Arms depicting three lions surrounded by hearts is the coat of arms known from the time of the Valdemars.

The Royal Arms with quarterings in one shield held by savages in a pavilion and surrounded by collars of orders of chivalry, has been altered on various occasions, most recently by a Royal decree in 1972.

Since 1959, the Royal Arms are used by the monarch, the royal house and the court, and by the Life Guards. The rest of the Danish authorities use the National Arms.