Norway : Asker municipal arms

Nordic heraldry (Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden)
User avatar
Arthur Radburn
Posts: 1331
Joined: 11 Jul 2012, 09:56

Norway : Asker municipal arms

Postby Arthur Radburn » 15 Apr 2018, 16:55

We haven't had any Norwegian heraldry on the forum for a while. Here's a topical subject : the municipality of Asker is holding a public competition to design a municipal coat of arms.

2000 entries were received, from which the judges selected the following ten finalists. Voting ends this coming Thursday, and the result is expected on Friday.

Image

Any thoughts about these designs? Which would you vote for?
Regards
Arthur Radburn

User avatar
Michael F. McCartney
Posts: 437
Joined: 24 Apr 2015, 23:34

Re: Norway : Asker municipal arms

Postby Michael F. McCartney » 16 Apr 2018, 05:44

Upper left, upper right
Michael F. McCartney
Fremont, California

Bruce E Weller
Posts: 33
Joined: 13 May 2013, 11:46

Re: Norway : Asker municipal arms

Postby Bruce E Weller » 16 Apr 2018, 11:32

While the polled ash trees in the existing arms are (to me) unattractive, they seem to have historic and canting influences.

Bruce E Weller
Posts: 33
Joined: 13 May 2013, 11:46

Re: Norway : Asker municipal arms

Postby Bruce E Weller » 16 Apr 2018, 11:34

Having fun with submissions, my comment above should have noted my feeling that the loss of the history is sad.

User avatar
Arthur Radburn
Posts: 1331
Joined: 11 Jul 2012, 09:56

Re: Norway : Asker municipal arms

Postby Arthur Radburn » 23 Apr 2018, 16:41

Voting has closed, and the results are in. The three finalists are :

Image

'Ash Leaf', 'Three Sails' and 'Ash Branch'.

Of the 20 546 votes cast, 'Three Sails' received 7635, 'Ash Branch' 4155 and 'Ash Leaf' 1163. However, there is some kind of weighting system, which places 'Ash Leaf' first, 'Ash Branch' second and 'Three Sails' third.

The symbolism is very simple. 'Asker' means 'ash tree', so two of the designs are canting. It is a seaside town, hence the sails. The new arms are needed because two neighbouring muncipalities are being incorporated into Asker, hence the three sails and the three leaves on the branch, to symbolise the three communes.

A jury will consider the finalists, and announce a decision on 21 June.

Heraldic democracy (or is it democratic heraldry?) in action!
Regards
Arthur Radburn

User avatar
Michael F. McCartney
Posts: 437
Joined: 24 Apr 2015, 23:34

Re: Norway : Asker municipal arms

Postby Michael F. McCartney » 25 Apr 2018, 02:41

Three nice choices!

Curious (no particular reason, just curious) re: the names and arms (if any) of the other two former entities.
Michael F. McCartney
Fremont, California

User avatar
Arthur Radburn
Posts: 1331
Joined: 11 Jul 2012, 09:56

Re: Norway : Asker municipal arms

Postby Arthur Radburn » 25 Apr 2018, 19:04

Michael F. McCartney wrote:Curious (no particular reason, just curious) re: the names and arms (if any) of the other two former entities.

Image
These are the current arms of Asker, granted in 1975, depicting trees that are typical of the area.

Image
These are the arms of Hurum, granted in 1979, alluding to the town being situated on a peninsula between two fjords.

Image
These are the arms of Royken, granted in 1967, the flame being a cant on the first syllable of the name, which means "smoke".

All conforming to the Norwegian rule that municipal arms should have only one charge and two tinctures.
Regards
Arthur Radburn

User avatar
Michael F. McCartney
Posts: 437
Joined: 24 Apr 2015, 23:34

Re: Norway : Asker municipal arms

Postby Michael F. McCartney » 27 Apr 2018, 05:44

Thanks!
Michael F. McCartney
Fremont, California

User avatar
Arthur Radburn
Posts: 1331
Joined: 11 Jul 2012, 09:56

Re: Norway : Asker municipal arms

Postby Arthur Radburn » 21 Jun 2018, 13:14

Well, the decision has been announced. The 'Three Sails' design has been chosen as the arms of the new municipality.
Regards
Arthur Radburn

User avatar
Chris Green
Posts: 3621
Joined: 10 Jul 2012, 13:06
Location: Karlstad, Sweden

Re: Norway : Asker municipal arms

Postby Chris Green » 21 Jun 2018, 14:18

Could have been worse.

I'm not sure I could draft a blazon that would guarantee that the emblazonment resembled the picture.
Chris Green
IAAH President

Bertilak de Hautdesert


Return to “Nordic heraldry”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 11 guests