Vaasa

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VAASA - VASA (1855-1917 Nikolainkaupunki/Nikolaistad)

Region : Pohjanmaa
Former province : 1997-2009 Länsi-Suomi (until 1997 Vaasa)
Additions : 2013 Vähäkyrö

Official blazon

(fi) Punaisessa kentässä kultainen Vaasain tunnus, sen alapuolella kulta-valkoinen vapaudenristi kultaisine laakeriseppeleineen ja miekkoineen riippumassa kultaisessa, kahdella punaisella viivalla kirjatussa nauhassa, joka ympäröi kilven alaosaa.
(sv) I rött fält en vase i guld; med frihetskorset i guld och vitt med lagerkrans och svärd i guld anbragt nedan om vapenskölden, hängande i gyllene, med två röda ränder tecknat band, som omsluter sköldens nedre del.

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on November 10, 1922.

Mustasaari received city rights in 1611 and at the same time received its new name, based on the name of the Royal (Swedish) dynasty Vasa. The arms were also derived from the royal arms and showed a canting vase.

The seals of Mustasaari until 1610 show a fish, whereas the seal of 1611 already shows the vase.

The seal until 1610

Second seal from 1611

In 1855 the city was renamed Nikolaistad after Czar Nicholas I of Russia. At the same time new arms were designed for the city. One proposal was of B. Kene, showing the arms of the Romanov family (adopted by Nicholas I), a red griffin with sword holding a shield with the monogramme HI (H being the Russian letter N). In the upper right corner the provincial arms and behind the shield two anchors. These arms were not adopted.

The proposal by B. Kene

In 1861 two new arms were designed, the first showing a silver bend in a blue and red shield and in the chief the monogramme and in base the vase. The second design showed only the vase on the tri-coloured shield.

The first proposal of 1861 (sketch)	Arms of Vaasa The second proposal of 1861 (sketch)
The arms on a Dutch Willem II cigar band

19th century seals

Seal from around 1900

In the late 19th century again used only the vase as arms. In 1918 the city received the Medal of Freedom, as during the war of independence Vaasa was the capital of the independence movement.