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Vítonice (Znojmo, South Moravian region) coat of arms and flag are at this
webpage. Flag adopted 27 Jun 2001
Jarig Bakker, 31 Jul 2002
I am a member of NAVA, and was looking over the flags of Czech municipalities.
The flag and coat-of-arms of Vítonice, Znojmo okres, South Moravian Region
is very interesting, and I went to the web page which you indicated. Unfortunately,
I don't read Czech. I thought that with my knowledge of Russian and Carpatho-Russian,
I might be able to figure out some of the meaning of the arms.
I have two questions - one - why is the lion holding the bell? Is he
ringing it? Is he removing it? and two - what is the lion standing
on, and why is he standing on it?
Fr John Udics, 27 Aug 2003
I have read the site about Vítonice flag and arms. This is what I know
about it now:
The oldest known community seal represents an oak branch growing of
a ragged trunk (ostrev in Czech, der Ast in German). Author
of modern community symbols, Mr. Miroslav Pavlů used the ragged trunk as
a symbol retaken from the Arms of oldest known holder of Vítonice, lord
Pertold of Lipa (z Lipe). His arms was "Or a couped Saltire ragully Sable"
- or in other words two ragged trunks per saltire. He was member of powerful
and great "clan" Ronovci; its member families were Berka's of Duba,
lords of Lipa, of Pirkenstejn, of Lichtenburg and of many others. BTW -
modern name of Lipa is Ceska Lipa (Česká Lípa).
In the town arms we can admire this ancient coat of arms.
The main figure of Vítonice arms - Lion rampant queued forchée - is
meant as representation of next two noble holders of it - lords of Nachod
and counts Berchtold von Ungarschütz (see also: Vratenin, Uhercice, Dist.
Znojmo.) BTW: Uherčice is Czech name of Ungaschütz.
The last figure - a bell - represents local belfry. Nothing more,
nothing less.
Aleš Křížan, 29 Aug 2003