Coat of arms of Dalmatia

Historical coat of arms

The Coat of arms of Dalmatia has two versions. The first and most widely used is azure, with three crowned golden leopards' heads affrontes, langued in gules. The second, older version, is gules, with three silver leopards' heads affrontes, langued and crowned in gold.^[1]

The three leopards' heads are also known as lions' heads, due to the heraldic use of the term "leopard". The heraldic leopard differs from the real-life leopard (Panthera pardus). It does not have any spots and often has a mane. Therefore, in heraldry, the "leopard" is generally similar, and is often referred to, as a lion (Panthera leo). The reason for this lies in the fact that in the Middle Ages leopards were thought to be a crossbreed between a lion and a panther. This was retained in heraldry.

See also

• Flag of Dalmatia
• Dalmatia
• History of Dalmatia
• Kingdom of Dalmatia
• Coat of arms of Croatia
• Flags of Croatia

References

1. ^ Konrad von Grüenberg, Armory of the Constance Council 1483