Wapenschilden van de Zweedse landschappen Gästrikland, Ångermanland en Medelpad 1696

These crests representing Gästrikland, Ångermanland, and Medelpad, were engraved by an anonymous artist. Heraldry, as a visual language, was historically associated with nobility and power. The symbols and emblems chosen were not arbitrary; they signified territorial claims, lineage, and historical narratives. Here, the crowned shields evoke a sense of established authority and tradition. Note the specificity of the symbols. The reindeers, fish, and waves, speak directly to the natural resources of these landscapes. It is a visualization of how land and identity were inextricably linked. These heraldic representations have shaped the collective memory and identity of these regions. By examining the historical context and symbolism embedded in heraldry, we begin to understand how the artwork has both shaped and reflected societal issues. It has helped cement ideas about identity and place.