The Lesser Coat of Arms
of the Realm of Sweden

Three Crowns, or Tre Kronor, is a national emblem of Sweden. Nominally they are three coronets ordered two above one which is present in the Coat of Arms of the Realm of Sweden. The history of this symbol isn't entirely clear. Most historians believe it was brought from Germany to Sweden by Albrekt of Mecklenburg in the late fourteenth century. The symbolism is in this theory believed to be a representation of the three wise men, also known as the three kings, that came to visit Jesus at the epiphany. Another theory is that the three crowns simply represented the three old kingdoms that joined to later form Sweden, Three crowns one kingdom. However, that theory is less widely accepted. Swedes generally don't know any of these theories and what the symbol is believed to represent, and this is mostly a subject discussed among historians. The Lesser Coat of Arms of the Realm is one of two official Coats of Arms of Sweden Blazon: Azure, with three coronets or, ordered two above one. This image depicts a seal, an emblem, a coat of arms or a crest. ... A national emblem symbollically represents a nation. ... The Greater Coat of Arms of the Realm, or Stora Riksvapnet, and the Lesser Coat of Arms of the Realm, or Lilla Riksvapnet, are the official coats of arms of Sweden. ... A history resource for kids -Chronology of Events in History, Mythology, and Folklore. ... Albert of Sweden (or Albrecht von Mecklenburg in German and Albert av Mecklenburg in Swedish) was born in 1338 and became king of Sweden in 1363. ... (13th century - 14th century - 15th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 14th century was that century which lasted from 1301 to 1400. ... The Three Wise Men are given the names Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar in this late 6th century mosaic from the Basilica of St Apollinarius in Ravenna, Italy. ... Jesus, also known as Jesus Christ, is the central figure in Christianity. ... Epiphany (Greek: επιφάνεια, the appearance; miraculous phenomenon) is a Christian feast intended to celebrate the shining forth or revelation of God to mankind in human form, in the person of Jesus. ...

The emblem is often used as a symbol of authority by the Swedish government, but other less formal examples exist such as the national Swedish ice hockey team, which in competing with other nations are both called and wear the "Three Crowns" on their shirts. Sweden is a constitutional monarchy with a representative democracy based on a parliamentary system. ... Ice hockey, known simply as hockey in areas where it is more common than field hockey, is a team sport played on ice. ...

See also: Moder Svea, Flag of Sweden Mother Svea with the Swedish Lion. ... Flag ratio: 5:8 The merchant flag of Sweden (1844-1905), with the Sweden-Norway union badge. ...