Coat of Arms

The Royal Danish Coat of Arms from the time of Frederik IV’s court. Installed during the complete refurbising of the entire ceiling at the start of the 18th century, after the likewise rather large remodelling seen in the time of Christian V.

A practise initiated in medieval times, coat of arms where traditionally used as heraldic representations of ownership or origins, as well as being symbols of power and prestige. As such these representations where convenient introductions to every prince in Europe, and could of course be used as political messages or claims.

Notice in particular the three crowns on a blue background, representing a longstanding danish claim to the swedish throne. If you include the norwegian lion on a red background along with the danish three lions and nine hearts, you have the three nations comprised by the Kalmarunion, led by danish regents until Sweden dissolved the alliance at the start of the 16th century.