Pistoia
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PISTOIA
Region : Toscana
Province : Pistoia
Official blazon
Scaccato d’argento e di rosso di trentasei pezzi. Lo scudo di forma sannitica, sarà cimato della corona di città ed avrà per sostegni due orsi con le teste rivolte all’indietro, coperti di mantelletto scaccato d’argento e di rosso, svolazzante, foderato di verde.
Origin/meaning
The chequered field is said to have been derived from the symbol of St. James, the scallop. How this was transformed into a field with 36 (or more, see below) squares is not clear. The bears were added in the second half of the 14th century to remind the citizens of the town's supremacy over the mountainous region. The bears also symbolise the pride of the local people.
The bears have the local nickname of Il micco, or the stupid, because they have lost all attributes of bravery...
In a manuscript from around 1550 the arms are held by a monkey instead of a bear...
 The arms in 1550 |
 The arms in the Brioschi albums 1930s |
 The arms on a Fassi trade card |
 Image of the arms on a fresco in the town hall |
 The arms in the Abadie albums |
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© since 1995, Heraldry of the World, Ralf Hartemink 
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Literature : Image from http://www.araldicacivica.it;