Austria's Coat Of Arms: Eagle's History And Meaning

what is the bird on austria coat of arms

The coat of arms of Austria features a black eagle, which is also the country's national animal. The eagle has appeared on Austrian flags for hundreds of years and is a symbol of the nation's sovereignty. The eagle depicted on the coat of arms has a red tongue and golden arms, and its chest is covered with a red shield crossed by a silver crossbar. A broken iron chain encloses its two talons, with a golden sickle in its right talon and a golden hammer in its left.

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The eagle: a symbol of Austria's sovereignty

The eagle is a symbol of Austria's sovereignty, introduced in 1919. The black eagle, sometimes depicted with one head and sometimes with two, has appeared on Austrian flags for hundreds of years. The eagle is a powerful symbol, conveying boldness, power, and victory.

The eagle's origins can be traced back to the Habsburgs, although the Austrian eagle differs in that it has a civic crown, representing the burghers of Austria, and holds a sickle and a hammer, representing artisans, peasants, and farmers. The eagle's chest also bears a shield with the arms of the House of Babenberg.

In 1945, a broken chain was added to the eagle's legs, symbolizing freedom and liberation from Nazi occupation. This addition was significant in that it marked Austria's independence and self-governance.

The eagle continues to be a popular symbol in Austria, with its image adorning flags, buildings, and other public places. It serves as a reminder of the country's rich history and traditions, providing a link between the past and the present.

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The escutcheon: Emblem of Austria

The escutcheon is a shield that forms the central element in a coat of arms. The word 'escutcheon' is derived from the Old North French 'escuchon', meaning 'shield'. In the context of the Austrian coat of arms, the escutcheon is the emblem of Austria.

The Austrian escutcheon, a red shield with a white horizontal stripe, is attributed to Duke Leopold V in the late 12th century. Legend has it that King Henry VI granted him the shield because the duke's tunic was drenched in blood, except for the white area beneath his belt, after the Battle of Ptolemais in 1191. Modern historians have discredited this story, and the earliest known example of the arms dates from the seal of Duke Frederick II in 1230.

The Austrian escutcheon was first introduced in the late Middle Ages and was reintroduced in 1915. The coat of arms of Austria-Hungary, which existed from 1867 to 1918, featured the double-headed eagle of the ruling House of Habsburg-Lorraine. The eagle was reminiscent of the insignia of the defunct Holy Roman Empire, so the Hungarian government urged for the introduction of a new common coat of arms in 1915. The new insignia combined the coats of arms of the separate halves of the Dual Monarchy, linked by the armorials of the Habsburg-Lorraine dynasty and the motto 'indivisible and inseparable'.

The Austrian escutcheon has been in use in its first forms by the First Republic of Austria since 1919. The current coat of arms of the Republic of Austria was established in 1981 and is described in the Federal Constitutional Law (Austrian act) (Bundes-Verfassungsgesetz, B-VG). The escutcheon is a central element of the coat of arms, with a free-floating, single-headed, black eagle whose chest is covered with a red shield crossed by a silver crossbar.

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The mural crown: representing the middle class

The mural crown, or the corona muralis in Latin, is a significant component of the Austrian coat of arms, representing the middle class or bourgeoisie. This symbol was introduced in 1919, following the end of the Holy Roman Empire and the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918, and the establishment of the First Republic of Austria. The mural crown has a rich history and symbolism that dates back to classical antiquity.

In ancient times, the mural crown served as an emblem of tutelary deities who watched over a city. It was also adopted by the Romans as a military decoration, known as the corona muralis. The Romans bestowed this honour upon soldiers who demonstrated exceptional valour in battle, specifically by being the first to scale the walls of a besieged city or fortress and plant their standard atop it.

The mural crown's association with cities and military prowess carried over into European heraldry, where it became a common symbol for cities and towns. In the 19th and 20th centuries, it was incorporated into some republican heraldry. The mural crown's design often includes towers or battlements, reminiscent of city walls and fortresses.

In the context of the Austrian coat of arms, the mural crown is worn by the eagle, signifying the nation's status as a republic. This is a notable departure from the previous coat of arms of Austria-Hungary, which featured a double-headed eagle adorned with royal crowns, reflecting the monarchy's rule. The adoption of the mural crown in the Austrian coat of arms symbolises the shift from monarchy to a republican form of government.

The mural crown, with its three visible pinnacles, represents the middle class in Austrian society. It is positioned atop the eagle's head, emphasising the importance of this social class in the nation's identity. The eagle itself symbolises Austria's sovereignty, while other elements in its talons, such as the sickle and hammer, represent the farmer's class (peasants) and the working class, respectively.

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The sickle: representing the farmer's class

The sickle, held by the eagle on Austria's coat of arms, represents the farmers' class. The eagle, which has been a symbol of Austria's sovereignty since 1919, holds a golden sickle in its right talon and a golden hammer in its left. The sickle and hammer were introduced in 1919 to represent the peasantry and working class respectively.

The sickle and hammer motif is not unique to Austria. The combination of these two tools has been used to symbolise agriculture and industry since at least the late 19th century. In 1917, Lenin held a competition to design a new coat of arms for the Soviet Union, and the winning entry featured a globe surrounded by a wreath of wheat, with a hammer and sickle and a red star gleaming above.

The use of the sickle and hammer on Austria's coat of arms has sometimes been interpreted as a reference to Communism, especially as the crossed hammer and sickle are a widespread symbol of Communism. However, the sickle and hammer were introduced to Austria's coat of arms in 1919, long before the official approval of the Soviet coat of arms in 1923. The sickle and hammer were also included on gold coins issued after World War II, which depicted the coat of arms of the First Republic of Austria.

The coat of arms of Austria has evolved over time. Between 1934 and the German annexation in 1938, the Federal State used a different coat of arms, featuring a double-headed eagle. The establishment of the Second Republic in 1945 saw the return of the original arms, with the addition of broken chains to symbolise Austria's liberation.

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The Hammer: representing the working class

The eagle is a prominent feature of the Austrian coat of arms, with its wings outstretched and its talons out in front, clutching a hammer and a sickle. The eagle's chest is covered with a red shield, crossed by a silver crossbar. The eagle's head is crowned with a golden mural crown with three pinnacles. The hammer, introduced in 1919, represents the working class.

The coat of arms was first adopted in 1919, following the end of the First World War and the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The new republic needed a new symbol, and the eagle, with its broken chains, was chosen to represent Austria's liberation and freedom. The eagle has been a symbol of Austrian sovereignty for hundreds of years, dating back to the Holy Roman Empire.

The choice of the hammer as a symbol of the working class is significant. It represents the strength and resilience of the Austrian people, who have endured occupation and dictatorship. The hammer also symbolises industry and progress, reflecting Austria's proud history of innovation and development.

The design of the hammer is worth noting. It is typically depicted as a golden hammer, reflecting the richness and value of labour. The hammer is also often shown with its head turned inward, towards the eagle's body, perhaps symbolising a more protective or defensive stance.

The Austrian coat of arms has evolved over time, with different versions used throughout history. The current version, with its detailed grey feathers and blue-grey chains, is a powerful symbol of Austrian identity and history. The hammer, as part of this coat of arms, serves as an important reminder of the contributions and value of the working class in Austrian society.

Frequently asked questions

The bird on Austria's coat of arms is an eagle.

The eagle is black.

The eagle is a symbol of Austria's sovereignty.

The coat of arms features a red shield with a white horizontal stripe, a golden mural crown, a sickle, a hammer, and broken chains.

The current version of the coat of arms has been in use since 1945, with some modifications made in 1981 and 1984.

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