Some Danish Naval Heraldry

[Marcus Karlsson]

From the site of the Danish Navy some examples of their Heraldry.


1st Squadron, the Chief is a common symbol to the Squadron and is based on the Danish State Arms. The Trident denotes the surveillence of Danish territorial waters carried out by the Inspection ships and cutters of the Squadron. Approved by HM Queen Margrethe II on 20th February 1980.


2nd Squadron, the Swan is from the arms of the old 2nd Squadron (Frigate Sqn, the Danes poetically called Frigates the Proud Swans of the Sea) and the Lightning bolts are from the arms of the old 4th Squadron merged into the 2nd Sqn in 2000. Approved by Queen Margrethe II on 14 July 2001.

[Marcus Karlsson]

Naval Operations Command, shows the fourth quarter from the arms of the Danish-Norwegian Naval Hero Peter Tordenskjold. approved by Queen Margrethe II on 18th May 1972.


Naval Materiel Command, among the Command's roles is to supervise the construction of naval ships, here symbolized by a Figurehead. Approved by Queen Margrethe II on 17th April 1974.


Bornholm Naval District, the chief denotes the controlling function and is common to all Naval Districts. The Tower symbolizes the Castles and Fortresses in the District. Approved by Queen Margrethe II on 14th March 1984. This Unit was disbanded in 2010.


Kattegat Naval District, symbolizing the sail lane through the Kattegat Strait and the shores lining the Straits. Approved by Queen Margrethe II on 14th March 1984. This Unit was disbanded in 2010.


Vessel Traffic Service Storebaelt, with navigational symbols denoting the VTS Storebaelt mission to safely guide naval traffic through the Storebaelt straits.

[Marcus Karlsson]

Arms of the Dog Sledge Patrol "Sirius". Arms approved by HM Queen Margarete II on 20 July 1998. Symbolising the Name Sirius is also called the Dog Star and the means of transport by Greenlandic Sledge Dogs. The Patrol is an unique Naval Unit operating in the snowy wilderness of Greenland since 1951.


Arms of the Straits Naval District (the Straits in question is Öresund, Storebælt and Lillebælt). The Arms was approved by HM Queen Margrethe II on 14 March 1984. The three waves symbolises the three Straits over which the District had command. The Unit was disbanded in 2000.

[Jeremy Kudlick]

Arms of the Straits Naval District (the Straits in question is Öresund, Storebælt and Lillebælt). The Arms was approved by HM Queen Margrethe II on 14 March 1984. The three waves symbolises the three Straits over which the District had command. The Unit was disbanded in 2000.

What is that charge on the chief?

[Marcus Karlsson]

In Danish it is called a dobbeltkamnøgl, unfortunately I don't know what it is called in English.

[Chris Green]

Could it be a double-ended wrench? Though why that should be in a naval CoA I cannot imagine.

[Ryan Shuflin]

In Danish it is called a dobbeltkamnøgl, unfortunately I don't know what it is called in English.

do you know what it does?

[Marcus Karlsson]

I checked back at the site of the Danish Navy, and it is a form of Key used to symbolise the Role of the Districts to lock and unlock the Water Ways in their Area of reponsibility.

[Jeremy Kudlick]

In Danish it is called a dobbeltkamnøgl, unfortunately I don't know what it is called in English.

According to Google Translate, "dobbelt kam nøgle" translates as "double comb key", but it sounds like a double-ended key based on your description. As it isn't a standard "English" charge, I guess the best description would be "a key with wards on each end, dexter to base and sinister to chief".

It is definitely an interesting charge. Thank you, Marcus.

[Marcus Karlsson]

You are welcome Jeremy, and thanks for the suggested Blason.

Some more Heraldry:


Naval Helicopter Service, the flying service provided is symbolized by the Eagle. Approved by Queen Margrethe II on 3rd May 1978. The NHS have now been merged into the Danish Air Force.


Tactical Staff of the Naval Forces, the waves are a symbol of a Naval Authority. The Viking Swords and Round Shield (bearing the white cross in red from the Danish Flag) symbolizes that the Staff and it's units can perform Peacekeeping (the shield) and Peacecreating (the swords) roles.