Coat of Arms
The oldest element of the historical coat of arms reinstated in 1990 is the patriarchal cross. This became a national symbol some 800 years ago. It appeared on coins towards the end of the 12th century, then it became part of the coat of arms on a red field.
The triple mound appeared more than a century later probably due to the new ruling class which had kinship ties with Naples. The cross originally stood on three feet ending in the mounds.
The stripes on the other side of the shield appeared in the late 12th or early 13th century presumably as a result of Spanish influence since the ruling house had connections there. The national crown is said to have taken its place on top of the shield more than 600 years ago.
The Hungarian Parliament chose to reinstate the country's historical coat of arms in the summer of 1990. This so-called crowned, lesser coat of arms consists of a pointed, impaled shield. The left-hand side ("dexter" as you shelter behind it) has a barry of eight, gules (red) and argent (silver). The other side has a gules field with a patriarchal cross argent rising from a crown or (gold) on a triple mound vert (green). The shield is ensigned with the Hungarian Crown.
The stripes on the other side of the shield appeared in the late 12th or early 13th century presumably as a result of Spanish influence since the ruling house had connections there. The national crown is said to have taken its place on top of the shield more than 600 years ago.
The Hungarian Parliament chose to reinstate the country's historical coat of arms in the summer of 1990. This so-called crowned, lesser coat of arms consists of a pointed, impaled shield. The left-hand side ("dexter" as you shelter behind it) has a barry of eight, gules (red) and argent (silver). The other side has a gules field with a patriarchal cross argent rising from a crown or (gold) on a triple mound vert (green). The shield is ensigned with the Hungarian Crown.
