There is so much love and violence in the Swiss municipal coat of arms

There are 2,136 different municipal coats of arms in Switzerland. The diversity is of course great. However, they are not all so different, as we will find out later – perhaps this phenomenon will also be discussed here. But first to part 3 of our separate series on the diversity of Swiss municipal coats of arms.

After we discussed the colors in part 1 and showed the 68 (!) different animals in part 2, today it is about love and violence. Or more precisely: hearts and weapons. 103 municipalities show one of the two symbols in their coat of arms. The ratio shows a clear trend towards guns: 95 communities have one, only eight (or at least eight) show heart.

Let’s start with the overview. These are the 103 Swiss communities with a coat of arms or a heart. Hearts appear eight times, weapons include a sword used 52 times, a spear or lance 15 times, and a gun five times. There is only one ax (Biel) and one dagger (Tägerwilen TG):

Of the eight municipalities with a heart, seven are in Vaud - and four of these are grouped around a region near Vevey (although Vevey itself does not have a heart in its coat of arms). It is not known why hearts appeared on municipal coats of arms in that region. But with Blonay-Saint-Légier VD This is how the new municipal coat of arms was created when the two municipalities of Blonay (with the two hearts) and Saint-Légier (with the colors red and green) merged.

Also with Corseaux VD the exact explanation is missing. The fact is: a sign with a heart was found on the old church bell from 1583. This became the municipal coat of arms in 1900 and was finally officially recognized in 1930.

The community of Aargau believes there is a very simple reason for the two hearts in their coat of arms Gontenschwil AG: Previously you only had the pine tree. But because many other communities also depended on a pine tree, two hearts were added from 1826 onwards. However, there is no exact tradition.

But not only love is capitalized on the Swiss municipal coats of arms, there is also violence present: five municipalities display a gun on their coat of arms. This usually indicates a battle won in the area.

Bee Wohlenschwil AG For example, Wikipedia writes: “The weapons are reminiscent of the decisive battle of the Swiss Peasants' War. The sun points to the Sunnenhübel, the site of the battle. The weapon was introduced in 1952 in view of the 300th anniversary of the battle.”

Let's move on to the similar municipal coats of arms mentioned at the beginning. A knight slays a dragon seven times - in seven different cantons.

Such an image always refers to Saint George, who lived in Greece from 270 to 303 and suffered martyrdom at the beginning of the persecution of Christians under Diocletian. George is one of the oldest heroes in Eastern and Western Christianity. According to legend, he defeated a – who would have thought – dragon. St. George is also commemorated in many places outside Switzerland.

Weapons also have a positive connotation on the municipal coat of arms. In ten Swiss communities, Saint Martin of Tours gives an impoverished beggar a piece of his garment, which he cuts off with his sword.

Here too, the meaning is similar to that of the dragon slayer above: the communities commemorate the founder of Western monasticism, who lived from approximately 316 to 397 AD. lived in France. St. Martin's Day is celebrated in many areas with parades and other customs. In German-speaking Switzerland, for example, this custom is known as the “Räbeliechtli Parade”.

Finally, twice the so-called Windmannli, once with a club as a weapon, once with a spear.

The Wildmannli is a legendary figure known here and there in the Alpine region. The demi-human forest dweller is said to be very shy and close to nature. In Klosters GR it contains the cross-decorated flag of the Ten Judgment League.

In Grabs SG In 1938 the wild man became the weapon. The pine tree represents either the forest in which the Wildmannli lived or the large-scale deforestation that occurred in the region.