o***@gmail.com
2013-09-04 15:10:21 UTC
Just wondering if anyone with a bit more knowledge than me in this area can shed some light on this for me:
Although France had national Arms during its monarchical eras (both as a Kingdom and an Empire), as a Republic , both the 1792-1804 and 1848-1852 Republics never adopted national Arms and, whilst the present Constitution of France only specifys the National Flag to be a national emblem, and makes no reference to any national Arms nor any non-heraldry emblem, nonetheless in 1905 Arms were devised for France for a State visit of King Alfonso XIIII of Spain. These Arms featured a fasces Or surrounded by a wreath, also Or, on an Azure field. These were used more or less consistently until the Second World War. In 1953 another depiction was designed for use in the UN buildings alongside the Coats of Arms of other UN members. Very loosely described as a Coat of Arms (it features the golden letters R and F conjoined on a highly stylised shield, with an Or field. (yes, I know what you are thinking).
This achievement is presently used on French passports.
Every reference I have found about both the 1905 Arms and the 1953 Arms refers to them both as the 'Arms of France', or the 1905 Arms are described so, or the 1953 Arms. Which is confusing.I believe the 1905 Arms are still also used in some official capacity (but I can't for the life of me remember what). So which are actually the National Arms of France? The 1953 Arms? The 1905 ones? Both? Neither (as neither has been officially adopted)? All very confusing and I would appreciate any information as regards it.
Although France had national Arms during its monarchical eras (both as a Kingdom and an Empire), as a Republic , both the 1792-1804 and 1848-1852 Republics never adopted national Arms and, whilst the present Constitution of France only specifys the National Flag to be a national emblem, and makes no reference to any national Arms nor any non-heraldry emblem, nonetheless in 1905 Arms were devised for France for a State visit of King Alfonso XIIII of Spain. These Arms featured a fasces Or surrounded by a wreath, also Or, on an Azure field. These were used more or less consistently until the Second World War. In 1953 another depiction was designed for use in the UN buildings alongside the Coats of Arms of other UN members. Very loosely described as a Coat of Arms (it features the golden letters R and F conjoined on a highly stylised shield, with an Or field. (yes, I know what you are thinking).
This achievement is presently used on French passports.
Every reference I have found about both the 1905 Arms and the 1953 Arms refers to them both as the 'Arms of France', or the 1905 Arms are described so, or the 1953 Arms. Which is confusing.I believe the 1905 Arms are still also used in some official capacity (but I can't for the life of me remember what). So which are actually the National Arms of France? The 1953 Arms? The 1905 ones? Both? Neither (as neither has been officially adopted)? All very confusing and I would appreciate any information as regards it.