Coat of arms of Warsaw

The coat of arms of Warsaw is known as The Warsaw Mermaid. It shows a syrenka in a red field. People have used this symbol since at least the mid-14th century.

History

The first coat of arms of Warsaw showed a dragon with a human head, holding a sword and a shield. The oldest known example is from a seal made in 1390. Over time, the dragon changed to have a female head and body, and by the late 1500s, its tail looked like a fish. Only the sword and shield stayed the same.

Later, around the early 1600s, Warsaw began using a mermaid with a sword and shield. Since 1622, the coat of arms has shown this mermaid. The mermaid comes from a story about Melusina from the Vistula River. The city’s motto is Contemnit procellas, meaning "It defies the storms."

Modern usage

The current design of Warsaw's symbol started in 1938 but was used only until the beginning of World War II. After 1945, changes were made, but in 1990, the old design was brought back.

There is also a special emblem used for important events. It shows a medal given to Warsaw for the bravery of its people during World War II and includes the words Semper invicta (Always invincible). Some soldiers in the United Kingdom wear a symbol of Warsaw on their uniforms.

Statues and sculptures

The coat of arms of Warsaw from 1659 was shown on a city accounting book. You can see statues and pictures of the syrenka, Warsaw's symbol, in many places. There is a syrenka statue in the Old Town Market square, on Powiśle, and inside the Sejm's Plenary Hall.