Smaland (Sweden)

This is the flag of the province Småland in the south of Sweden. As all Swedish provinces, Småland has a banner of arms.

The original arms of Småland was a crossbow between roses. This was granted in 1560, at the funeral of King Gustav I. Later, the roses fell away, and the crossbow is since 1569 held by a lion.

I have seen this flag flying in Jönköping in northern Småland.

I have based the image on those of county flags made by Mello Luchtenberg, posted here in September last year. Made some work myself to make them look nice in this size, though. I also used the images in [nev92] as a reference for this work.
Elias Granqvist, 26 January 2001

Official blazon in Swedish: "I gyllene fält ett rött lejon med blå beväring, därest sådan skall förekomma, och hållande i tassarna ett uppåtvänt rött armborst med pilspets av silver samt båge och strängar svarta."

Blazoned in English: "Or a lion rampant Gules langued and armed Azure holding in front paws a Crossbow of the second bowed and stringed Sable with a bolt Argent."
English blazon by Željko Heimer, 31 September 2000