The Heraldic Regimental Colours of the Swedish Armed Forces
Posted: 14 May 2013, 19:53
The Swedish Army has a long tradition of using Heraldic Motives on its Colours and Standards. This dates back to the forming of the so called Landskapsregementen (Provincial/County Regiments) in the 17th Century. They usually placed the Arms of the Province on their Colours and Standards. The Guards Regiments using the Royal/State Arms on a White Field. White Fields where also used on the Livfana (King's Colour) which for regular Regiments displayed the Royal/State Arms with the Provincial Arms in the Canton. The use of the Livfana has now long been discontinued, but the remaining Guards and Life Regiments still uses White Colours/Standards with the Royal/State Arms.
The Finials are inscribed with the Chyper of the ruling King/Queen, and below the Finial are tied Streamers in the Swedish Livery Colours Blue and Yellow. Battle Honours are inscribed directly on to the Field, in the modern use they are usually applied on the chief of the Colour/Standard. Following the disbandment of many Units in the past decades conmemmorate symbols many be placed in the Corners of Units preserving the traditions of disbanded Units.
The most recent Colour of the Livgardet (Life Guards) (formed 1 july 2000 by the amalgamtion of the Kungl. Svea livgarde (Royal Svea Lifeguards) [I1 or 1st Infantry Regiment] and the Livgardets dragoner (Life Guards Dragoons) [K1 or 1st Cavalry Regiment]). This was presented The Colours was presented by HM King Carl XVI Gustaf at the Royal Palace in Stockholm on the King's Birthday 30 April 2000 to the then I1.
Originaly only Infantry and Cavalry Units carried Colours/Standards and Guidons. During the 20th Century the other Arms and Services was also presented with Colours and Standards. The Latter was mainly awared to Artillery and Anti Aircraft Artillery Units and to the one Armoured Battalion raised as such. Other Armoured Regiments where mainly raised by converting Infantry Regiments and they continued to use Infantry pattern Colours. Engineers, Signals, Service Troops (called Träng in Swedish), Schools and the later addition of Army Flying Troops did recieve Colours. They where of a uniform pattern for each Arm or Service, the unit beeing shown by adding either the full Heraldic Arms of the Unit or Part of the Provincial Arms in the Canton.
The Finials are inscribed with the Chyper of the ruling King/Queen, and below the Finial are tied Streamers in the Swedish Livery Colours Blue and Yellow. Battle Honours are inscribed directly on to the Field, in the modern use they are usually applied on the chief of the Colour/Standard. Following the disbandment of many Units in the past decades conmemmorate symbols many be placed in the Corners of Units preserving the traditions of disbanded Units.
The most recent Colour of the Livgardet (Life Guards) (formed 1 july 2000 by the amalgamtion of the Kungl. Svea livgarde (Royal Svea Lifeguards) [I1 or 1st Infantry Regiment] and the Livgardets dragoner (Life Guards Dragoons) [K1 or 1st Cavalry Regiment]). This was presented The Colours was presented by HM King Carl XVI Gustaf at the Royal Palace in Stockholm on the King's Birthday 30 April 2000 to the then I1.
Originaly only Infantry and Cavalry Units carried Colours/Standards and Guidons. During the 20th Century the other Arms and Services was also presented with Colours and Standards. The Latter was mainly awared to Artillery and Anti Aircraft Artillery Units and to the one Armoured Battalion raised as such. Other Armoured Regiments where mainly raised by converting Infantry Regiments and they continued to use Infantry pattern Colours. Engineers, Signals, Service Troops (called Träng in Swedish), Schools and the later addition of Army Flying Troops did recieve Colours. They where of a uniform pattern for each Arm or Service, the unit beeing shown by adding either the full Heraldic Arms of the Unit or Part of the Provincial Arms in the Canton.