Coat of Arms of Lithuania facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The coat of arms of Lithuania shows a brave knight riding a horse. He wears armour, holds a sword, and carries a shield. The background is bright red. This important symbol is also known as Vytis, which means "the Chaser" or "the Pursuer" in Lithuanian. It has been a symbol of Lithuania for many centuries, showing its history and spirit.

What is a Coat of Arms?
- The Story of Vytis
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What is a Coat of Arms?

A coat of arms is like a special symbol or emblem for a country, family, or organization. It's often shown on a shield. These symbols have been used for a very long time, especially in Europe. They help people recognize who someone is or what a group stands for. For countries, a coat of arms represents their history, values, and independence.

The Story of Vytis

The Vytis is one of the oldest coats of arms in Europe. It shows a knight on horseback, ready for battle. This knight represents bravery, strength, and the defense of the homeland. The red background stands for courage and the blood shed for freedom. The silver (white) knight and horse show purity and justice. The golden (yellow) parts of the shield and sword mean nobility and wealth.

Early Beginnings

The Vytis symbol first appeared in the 14th century. It was used by the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, who were powerful rulers. One of the earliest known uses was by Grand Duke Algirdas. His seal from 1366 showed a knight on horseback.

Lithuanian coin with the Vytis, made in the late 1300s.

The symbol became very popular during the time of Jogaila and Vytautas the Great. These leaders helped make Lithuania a very large and strong country. The Vytis was on their seals, flags, and coins. It showed their power and the unity of the Lithuanian lands.

Vytis Through History

Over the centuries, the Vytis changed a little in its design. But the main idea of a knight on a horse always stayed the same. It was a symbol of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. This was a huge state that existed for hundreds of years.

The Third Statute of Lithuania from 1588, showing the Vytis.

When Lithuania joined with Poland to form the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Vytis was still an important symbol. It was often shown alongside the Polish Eagle. This showed that both parts of the Commonwealth were equally important.

The coat of arms of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, featuring the Vytis.

Even when Lithuania lost its independence for a time, the Vytis remained a symbol of hope. People kept it alive in their hearts and on secret flags. It reminded them of their past glory and their dream of freedom.

Vytis Today

After Lithuania regained its independence in 1918, the Vytis was officially brought back as the national coat of arms. It was a proud moment for the country. The design was updated to look more modern, but it kept its historical meaning.

An early 20th-century design of the Vytis by Antanas Žmuidzinavičius.

Today, the Vytis is everywhere in Lithuania. You can see it on government buildings, official documents, and coins. It is a powerful reminder of Lithuania's long history, its struggles, and its triumphs. It teaches young people about the importance of courage, freedom, and national pride.

A Lithuanian Euro coin with the Vytis, used since 2015.

The Vytis is not just a picture; it's a story. It tells the tale of a nation that has always fought for its freedom and identity. It inspires Lithuanians to be brave and to protect their country's values.

Images for kids

One of the oldest colorful Vytis (Waikymas) depiction, 14th century
Name Waikymas in a dictionary by Konstantinas Sirvydas, 1677 edition
Baltic mythology pagan Gods: Peckols, Perkūnas, Potrimpo
Early Lithuanian coin with a joint symbol of a spearhead and a cross that was minted by Jogaila, Vytautas, and possibly Algirdas or Skirgaila
Authentic Seal of Duke Kęstutis with Latin words]]
Jogaila's seal from 1377 to 1380 with an inscription: iagal dey gracia rex in lettov
Columns of Gediminas, one of the coats of arms of Lithuania, painted in 1416
Vytautas the Great regiments flying a flag with the Columns of Gediminas during the Battle of Grunwald in 1410
The Royal Seal of Supreme Duke Władysław III Jagiellon, which includes a winged Lithuanian Coat of Arms, 1438
Authentic 15th century Double Cross of the Jagiellonian dynasty when it became an integral part of the Lithuanian coat of arms
The Lithuanian coat of arms on an uhlan's hat of the Grande Armée 17th Lithuanian Uhlan Regiment
Prelude of Vytis by Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis, 1909
Presidential Seal of the Republic of Lithuania with Vytis, used in 1919–1940
The Lithuanian coat of arms on a 1990 envelope
Grodno Military Command, which was loyal to Lithuania, decorated with three flags of Lithuania, Belarus, and with Vytis (Pogonia), January 1919
Officers and soldiers from the Belarusian Battalion of the Lithuanian Armed Forces in Kaunas, 1921
Seal of Vytautas the Great with the Lithuanian coat of arms, featuring horseman, in his left hand, circa 14th–15th centuries
Seal of Vytautas the Great with Vytis (Waikymas), which features the Columns of Gediminas on the shield, 1404
One of the earliest surviving depictions of Vytis (Waikymas) in a flag of Vytautas the Great. Painted in 1416 by a Portuguese herald, who attended the Council of Constance.
Coat of arms of Vytautas the Great, which features the standing knight of Kęstutaičiai and Vytis (Waikymas), used during the Council of Constance. Painted by Ulrich of Richenthal, 15th century.
Seal of Sigismund Kęstutaitis with Vytis in his left hand, 15th century.
Duke Sigismund Korybut and his troops flying the Lithuanian coat of arms in Prague, 15th century
Vytis with Columns of Gediminas from the 15th-century Codex Bergshammar. Attributed to Grand Duke Žygimantas Kęstutaitis.
Royal Seal of Jogaila which features Vytis (Waikymas)
Flag of Jogaila with the Polish Eagle and Vytis (Waikymas), used during the Council of Constance in 1416
Lithuanian coat of arms, dating to 1475, which, judging from its archaic look, was likely redrawn from an even earlier painting
Lithuanian Denar of Grand Duke Casimir IV Jagiellon with horseman and the Columns of Gediminas, 15th century
Columns of Gediminas from the 15th-century Codex Bergshammar
Half-Groschen of Grand Duke Alexander Jagiellon with Vytis (Waikymas) from the late 15th century or early 16th century
A 1506 depiction of Grand Duke Alexander Jagiellon in the Polish Senate, surrounded by Lithuanian and Polish coat of arms, one of them are the golden Columns of Gediminas
The first page of the Latin copy of Laurentius (1531) of the First Statute of Lithuania. Vytis (Waikymas) is drawn on a damasked shield.
Authentic coat of arms of Lithuania with historical colors (gules, argent, or, and azure), circa 1555
A 1568 Lithuanian coin of Grand Duke Sigismund II Augustus with horseman and the Columns of Gediminas
Tapestry with the coat of arms of Grand Duke Sigismund II Augustus
Thaler of Grand Duke Stephen Báthory with Vytis (Waikymas) and the Polish Eagle, 1579
Coat of arms of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth with Vytis (Waikymas), decorated with the Columns of Gediminas, used during the reign of Grand Duke Stephen Báthory
Authentic Vytis (Waikymas) depicted on the Gate of Dawn, which survived annexations
Coat of arms of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth during the reign of the Vasa dynasty
Authentic Vytis (Waikymas) depicted on the outer wall of the Chapel of Saint Casimir
Coin of 15 golden Ducats of Grand Duke Sigismund III Vasa with Vytis (Waikymas), 1617
The Great Seal of Lithuania with Vytis (Waikymas) and Columns of Gediminas, belonging to Władysław IV Vasa
Golden Lithuanian Ducat of Grand Duke John II Casimir Vasa with Vytis (Waikymas), 1665
Coin of Grand Duke John III Sobieski with Vytis (Waikymas) and the Polish Eagle, 1684
Wall fragment of the Polish-Lithuanian coat of arms in the New Grodno Castle
Thaler of Grand Duke Augustus II the Strong with Vytis (Waikymas), 1702
Coin of 10 golden Ducats of Grand Duke Augustus III with Vytis (Waikymas), 1756
Seal of the Treasury of Lithuania, 18th century
The 1st Lithuanian National Cavalry Brigade's Grand Seal (late 18th century)
Coat of arms of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, used during the reign of Stanislaus II Augustus, 1764–1795
Lithuanian coat of arms with the Jagiellonian Double Cross, depicted by Franz Johann Joseph von Reilly in 1793
Relics of the Uprising of 1831, exhibited in the National Museum of Lithuania in Vilnius
Coat of arms of the November Uprising, 1830–31
Banner with emblem of the November Uprising, 1830—31
The Provisional Government in Warsaw reintroduced Vytis (Pogonia) and Eagle on the coins and banknotes during the 1830–31 November Uprising
Painting commemorating Polish–Lithuanian union; ca. 1861. The motto reads "Eternal union".
The White Columns of Vilnius (1818–1840) with Vytis (Pogonia), which were later replaced with the double-headed eagles
Seal of the Duma of the City of Vilnius, 19th century
Seals of the Vilnius University, mid-19th century
Coat of arms of Vitebsk from 1781
Coat of arms of Grodno Governorate, 1802
Coat of arms of Vilna Governorate (1845)
An unknown version of the First Lithuanian Republic coat-of-arms, probably its greater coat of arms
Juozas Zikaras' design (1925), widely used on the interwar independent Lithuania coins
A banknote of 10 Lithuanian litas with Vytis and the Columns of the Gediminids (1927)
A banknote of 5 Lithuanian litas with Vytautas the Great and Vytis, 1929
A foreign passport of the Republic of Lithuania with Vytis, used until the 1940 annexation
A fireplace of a sitting-room of Vytautas the Great at the Kaunas Garrison Officers' Club Building
Queen Louise Bridge, which at the time connected the Lithuanian town Panemunė and Prussian city Tilsit, decorated with Vytis in 1937
Ministry of Finance of Lithuania Building in Kaunas, decorated with portraits of Antanas Smetona, Vytautas the Great, Vytis and the Columns of Gediminas, 1930
Commander of the Lithuanian Army Stasys Raštikis holds the Lithuanian Army flag with Vytis, while a Lithuanian soldier swears his loyalty by kneeling in front of it
A Lithuanian bomber-reconnaissance monoplane ANBO VIII with the Double Cross of the Jagiellonians, constructed by the Lithuanian aeronautical engineer Antanas Gustaitis, in 1939
Lithuanian Vickers Light Tanks M1936 with the Columns of the Gediminids, heading to the Lithuanian capital Vilnius in 1939
Session of the Provisional Government of Lithuania, which attempted to restore the statehood of the interwar Republic during the June Uprising in Lithuania, in 1941
The Lithuanian partisans fought with the occupants in 1944–1953, wearing the interwar Lithuanian uniforms and symbols
An Anti-Soviet rally in Vingis Park of about 250,000 people in 1988. The Columns of the Gediminids are hanging above the stage.
The presidential version of the coat of arms, as depicted on the Presidential Palace, and the Flag of the President of Lithuania
Modern Lithuanian state flag flying at Trakai
The current passport of the Republic of Lithuania design
Litas commemorative coin featuring a historical Vytis
A banknote of 500 Lithuanian litas with Vytis, 2000
The Lithuanian soldiers with the Columns of Gediminas during the Battle of Grunwald reconstruction
Flag of the Lithuanian Armed Forces with the Columns of the Gediminids
An armoured fighting vehicle Vilkas (Lithuanian variant of Boxer) with the Columns of the Gediminids
Lithuanian Air Forces aircraft with the Double Cross of the Jagiellonians in 2016
Jotvingis (N42) of the Lithuanian Naval Force using the state flag as jack
Vilnius University coat of arms
Vilnius County coat of arms
Liudvinavas coat of arms
Veiviržėnai coat of arms
Josvainiai coat of arms
Daugailiai coat of arms
Adutiškis coat of arms
Vytis (Pogonia) is depicted on one of the Wawel Castle's towers in Kraków, alongside the Polish Eagle and the Double Cross of the Jagiellonians
John III Sobieski's coat of arms crowning the Royal Chapel in Gdańsk with Vytis (Pogonia)
Vytis (Pogonia) as depicted on the façade of the Collegium Novum of the Jagiellonian University in Kraków
Illustration with coat of arms of John I Albert (after 1492)
Illustration with coat of arms of Stanislaw August Poniatowski, 1780
Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Piaseczno
Malbork Castle, Malbork, 1590s
Wawel, Kraków
Wawel, Kraków
Royal Castle, Warsaw, 17th century
Royal Castle, Warsaw, Warsaw, 18th century
Post milestone, Lubań, 1725
Royal Castle, Warsaw, Warsaw, 18th century
Łazienki Park, Warsaw, 18th century
John III Sobieski Monument, Gdańsk (moved from Lwów), 1898
Guardhouse, Poznań, 1780s
Passport of the Belarusian People's Republic, 1918–1919
Lithuanian Ministry for Belarusian Affairs (Lithuanian: Gudų reikalų ministerija), which existed between 1918 and 1924 in Lithuania
Seal of the Lithuanian Army's Belarusian Battalion, 1919
Belarusian opposition supporters holding flags with Pahonia during the 2020–2021 Belarusian protests
Chevron of the Tactical group "Belarus"
Emblem of the Kastuś Kalinoŭski Battalion
Coat of arms of the Kingdom of Galicia–Volhynia, 1313
Seal of King Yuri II Boleslav denoting a horseman with lion on the coat of arms (14th century)
King Yuri II Boleslav's coin of the Kingdom of Galicia–Volhynia (14th century)
Iziaslav coat of arms with the Double Cross of the Jagiellonian dynasty
Watch tower of Vytautas the Great in Kherson with the historical state flag of Lithuania
Adam Mickiewicz Monument, Lviv, 1904
Albertina, Vienna, 18th century
Coat of arms on the Cenotaph of Maria Christina in Vienna
Catholic church, Nancy, 18th century
Pediment of the Nancy Town Hall
Vytis on top of Palais de la Cité's Tour de l'Horloge clock, Paris, since 1585
Double-Denar of the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia with monogram of Stephen Báthory, coat of arms of Gotthard Kettler, and Vytis (Waikymas), 1578
Coin of the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia with portrait of Ernst Johann von Biron, Vytis (Waikymas), and the Polish Eagle, 1764
Freiberg Cathedral in Freiberg, Saxony, 18th century
Coat of arms on the Moritzburg Castle in Moritzburg, Saxony
Zwinger, Dresden, 18th century
Dresden Cathedral, Dresden, 18th century
Coat of arms on the Palace Übigau with Hercules, Dresden
Coat of arms on a cannon in Königstein Fortress, Dresden
Coat of arms on the Löbau Town Hall
A postal milestone in Löbau, Saxony state
Bridge over Mulde, Grimma, 18th century
Town hall, Wilsdruff, 18th century
Coats of arms on the Theatine Church in Munich, 18th century
Coat of arms on the Walderdorff Palace in Trier, 18th century
A Saxon milepost in Lengenfeld, Saxony state
A postal milestone, dated 1731, in Bad Gottleuba, Saxony state
A postal milestone in Grimma, Saxony state
A postal milestone in Niemegk, Brandenburg state
A postal milestone in Elsterwerda, Brandenburg state
A postal milestone in Senftenberg, Brandenburg
Portal of a post office in Wurzen, Leipzig district, 1734
Coat of arms of Lithuania from the Johann Siebmacher's book Siebmachers Wappenbuch