Three Crowns
|
|
Sweden_lesser_arms.png
Image:Sweden_lesser_arms.png
The Lesser Coat of Arms
of the Realm of Sweden
Three Crowns, or Tre Kronor, is a national emblem of Sweden. Nominally they are three coronets ordered two above one which is present in the Coat of Arms of the Realm of Sweden. The history of this symbol isn't entirely clear. Most historians believe it was brought from Germany to Sweden by Albrekt of Mecklenburg in the late fourteenth century. The symbolism is in this theory believed to be a representation of the three wise men, also known as the three kings, that came to visit Jesus at the epiphany. Another theory is that the three crowns simply represented the three old kingdoms that joined to later form Sweden, Three crowns one kingdom. However, that theory is less widely accepted. Swedes generally don't know any of these theories and what the symbol is believed to represent, and this is mostly a subject discussed among historians.
The emblem is often used as a symbol of authority by the Swedish government, but other less formal examples exist such as the national Swedish ice hockey team, which in competing with other nations are both called and wear the "Three Crowns" on their shirts.
See also: Moder Svea, Flag of Swedensv:Tre kronor