The coat of arms of Kashubia (Kashubian: pòznaka Kaszëb) is the coat of arms representing Kashubians. It usually is a black griffin with a crown on a yellow background, which is used to symbolise the House of Griffin.[1]
Versions
Kaszëbskô Jednota version
Kaszëbskô Jednota, the only major Kashubian organisation, presented the coat of arms as a black griffin facing right on a yellow background, claws, a beak and crown with a red tongue, a tail going behind the leg, and a black outline.[1] It is used more often than any other versions.
Pomeranian Voivodeship version
The second version is the coat of arms of the Pomeranian Voivodeship, often used to represent Kashubia. It contains a black griffin with a red tongue on a yellow background without a crown facing towards the top right corner with a tail that splits into two and creates a specific pattern.[2]
Black crown version
This version differs from the others in many aspects; Its outlines are different from all others. Its crown, beak, tongue, and claws are all black. The tail is similar to the first version.[3]
Red beak version
The last version is a black griffin with red claws and a red beak (called an oręż) facing towards the front and the tail facing upwards, without a crown.[2]
History
The first use of the coat of arms dates back to the late 12th century, when the House of Griffin, rulers of the Duchy of Pomerania, used it as a seal. The Griffins called themselves dux Cassubiae, which stated that they were, indeed, Kashubians.[1] A similar version of the griffin emblem was used on the flag of the Pomeranian Voivodeship during the Second Polish Republic that contained a red griffin on a silver background.[4] The first use of the red-silver flag was recorded in 1466 by the duke of Pomerelia.[2]
The yellow-black emblem was used by the Duchy of Kashubia, a part of the Duchy of Pomerania. It is shown in the emblem itself, which included the emblems of all Pomeranian duchies under its domain.[5][6]
In most cases, dukes used the version without the crown. Aleksander Majkowski claimed to have seen a crowned griffin in Gryfia (currently Greifswald). The use of the crowned griffin was adapted into Kashubian culture over time. Newspapers played a major role in its rise in popularity, as vignettes often depicted such image. The newspapers that used it were: Zrzesz Kaszëbskô, Kaszëbë, Pomerania, Tatczëzna and Kaszëbskô Òdroda.
Another mention of the coat of arms was in Jan Rompsczi's poem:[1]
To nasz znak – ten czôrny juńc;
Jesz Kaszëbów nie je kùńc!
Òn to straszny juńc i lew,
Òn z Mòrlawë dobéł krew!
Hej, të Grifie w blónë lec,
Chcemë cebie w sercach miec!
References
