Coat of Arms of Estonia facts for kids
The coat of arms of Estonia is a special symbol for the country. It's a golden shield with three slim, blue lions walking across it. Around the shield, there are beautiful oak branches. This important symbol shows the history and spirit of Estonia.
Contents
The Story Behind the Symbol
How Old Is This Symbol?
The design of Estonia's coat of arms has been around for a very long time. People started using a similar symbol way back in the 13th century. This was long before Estonia became an independent country.
A Gift from Denmark
The blue lions on the shield actually came from the King of Denmark, Valdemar the Second. Back then, Denmark ruled over Northern Estonia. So, the Danish king's symbol became part of Estonia's identity. The capital city, Tallinn, also used a similar big coat of arms.
Becoming Official
After the Estonian War of Independence, which happened between 1918 and 1920, Estonia became a recognized independent country. That's when this historic symbol was officially chosen as the national coat of arms. It represents Estonia's long journey and its freedom.
Images for kids
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Seal of Danish king Valdemar II, 1219.
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Alternative coat of arms of Estonia, 1922. Author Günther Reindorff.
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The coat of arms as used in 1925–1940.
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State seal used in 1925–1940.
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Riigikogu building in Tallinn, 2012.
See also
In Spanish: Escudo de Estonia para niños
