Coat of arms of Switzerland facts for kids

The official coat of arms of Switzerland

The coat of arms of Switzerland is a very important symbol for the country. It looks just like the flag of Switzerland, but it's shown on a red shield. This symbol features a bright white cross on its red background. It represents the country's identity and history.

What is a Coat of Arms?

A coat of arms is like a special badge or emblem. Countries, families, or groups use them. They often show symbols, colors, and shapes. These designs tell a story about who they represent. The Swiss coat of arms is a simple but powerful symbol.

The Swiss Cross and Shield

The design of the Swiss coat of arms is very simple. It has a white cross on a red shield. This design is almost the same as the Swiss flag. The cross is made of five squares. One square is in the middle, and four more are around it. They do not touch the edges of the shield.

Why Red and White?

The colors red and white are very old symbols for Switzerland. They have been used for hundreds of years. Red often stands for bravery and strength. White can mean peace and honesty. Together, these colors show the values of the Swiss people.

History of the Coat of Arms

The white cross has been a symbol in Switzerland for a long time. It was first used by soldiers in battles. They wore it to tell friends from enemies. The cross became a common sign for the Swiss Confederation. This was a group of states that joined together.

From Battle Symbol to National Emblem

Over many centuries, the cross became more than just a military sign. It started to represent all of Switzerland. In 1815, after a big meeting called the Congress of Vienna, the white cross on a red background was officially recognized. It became the symbol of the Swiss Confederation.

Official Design in 1889

The exact design of the Swiss coat of arms was set in 1889. A law was passed to make sure everyone used the same design. This law described the shape of the cross and the colors. This helped make the symbol consistent across the country.

Where You Can See the Coat of Arms

The Swiss coat of arms is used in many places. You can see it on official documents and government buildings. It is also on Swiss money and stamps. It helps people recognize things that belong to Switzerland.

Everyday Use

One famous place you might see the coat of arms is on a Swiss army knife. These knives are known all over the world. The coat of arms shows that the knife is truly Swiss. It is also on the uniforms of the Swiss Armed Forces.

Images for kids

• 

  The 22 cantonal coats of arms in the stained glass dome of the Federal Palace of Switzerland (ca. 1900)

• 

  Coat of arms on the obverse of the Schützentaler minted by the Three Leagues for the federal shooting competition of 1842

• 

  Five francs coin in the design used during 1888–1916

• 

  A Swiss army knife — the soldier knife (Soldatenmesser) issued by the Swiss Armed Forces (2008 model). The cardboard box shows the Swiss coat of arms used in the company logo by the manufacturer, Victorinox, while relief depicted on one grip on the knife itself is the coat of arms used by the federal authorities.