Croatian checkerboard facts for kids

Escutcheon in the Seal of the Kingdom of Croatia

The Croatian checkerboard or chequy (Croatian: šahovnica) is the national symbol of Croatia. It is the main shield of the Croatian coat of arms. On top of the main shield is the crown with five smaller shields. The squares in the šahovnica are always arranged the right way. They are colored red and white. It is considered to be one of the oldest national symbols in Europe.

Origin

There is a legend, probably from the 19th century, which talks about how the Croatian king Držislav, captured by the Venetians, played a chess match. His opponent was Doge Pietro II Orseolo. He won and became free, and in some versions of the story he also got power over the Dalmatian cities. Then he put the chessboard in his coat of arms.

Gallery

The Croatian chequy on a church in Baška
The first known Croatian chequy as shown in Innsbruck, Austria (1495).
The coat of arms of Croatia, used in 1527 as part of a seal on the Cetingrad Charter.
Coat of arms of the Kingdom of Croatia (1525-1868).
Coat of arms of the Croatian Crown land (until 1868)
Coat of arms of the Kingdom of Croatia-Slavonia (1868–1918).
Coat of arms of Transleithania (1868-1915).
Patriotic badge from 1914
Banovina of Croatia (1939–1943).
Banovina of Croatia greater version (1939–1943).
Independent State of Croatia (1941–1945).
Socialist Republic of Croatia (1947–1990).
Early coat of arms of the Republic of Croatia (1990).
Coat of arms of Croatia proper

Images for kids

Fragment from the church of St. John of Nimfa
First known example of Croatian chequy as depicted in Innsbruck, Austria (1495).
Kingdom of Croatia (1525-1868).
Coat of arms of Croatian Crown land (until 1868).