National and historical symbols of Hungary

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Cikó

(The County of Tolna)

The coat-of-arms is a stylised shield erect azure, pierced flanche-wise, the base curved to a point. In the base and reaching to the lower third of the fess two convex fields vert, the sinister one is borne in a lower position.

In the middle of the sinister convex field vert a vine leaf or, with the stalk pointing to the upper sinister edge of the shield.

In the sinister fess the silhouette argent of the ruinous church to be found in the outer fields of the settlement.

Issuing from the upper third of the dexter convex field vert and reaching to the top of the chief two ears of wheat or.

The mantling is tinctured vert, or and azure. Above the top and the mantling a small vervel or.

Under the shield on a concave scroll or the motto CIKÓ in majuscules sable.

1) The shape of the shield is unique, and, at the same time, it is simple with its motifs clearly arranged.

2) The charges of the coat-of-arms expressly refer to the characteristics of the hilly region surrounding the settlement.

3) The most significant sight of the village of Cikó is its ruinous church to be found in the outer fields; a site of many pilgrimages. The contour of these sacred ruins are clearly outlined in Cikó's coat-of-arms.

4) The ears of wheat and the vine leaf are to symbolise the main sources of living available in this village in the past and in more recent times alike.

5) The mantling has been designed in accordance with the general simplicity of the coat-of-arms. It is characterised by controlled, yet dynamic and lively forms.

6) The arches of the scroll and the modest motto also reflect the simplicity of the coat-of-arms as a whole. It becomes evident even at first sight that it is a perfect complement to the whole design.

The two green arches (mounds) in the lower part of the shield refer to the geographical location of the village. In the foreground of the heraldic sinister side of shield a vine leaf is borne, a reminder of the settlement's 18th century seal print as well as of the typical agricultural plant of the region. The vine leaf is yellow (or), thus both the form and the colour are indicative of the importance of vine growing in the settlement's life. It is well known that it was the Romans who introduced viniculture in this region more than 2000 years ago. This tradition was kept alive in the Middle Ages as well and was pursued until the early 20th century when the grapes got unfortunately destroyed by an epidemic. New sorts of grapes were then planted, the production itself got modernised, and thus wine production has remained a major occupation in the village.

In the lower part of the dexter field of the coat-of-arms two stylised golden ears of wheat (cereals) are born beside the vine leaf, a bit pushed to the background and towards the top. This charge symbolises another of the chief agricultural plants having been cultivated in the region from past periods until today. The colour gold of the wheat is to underline the significance of this crop in the settlement's life.

The silhouette of the ruinous old church, a place of pilgrimages, can be seen on the arch (mound) in the sinister field. Since the name of the village of Cikó has become widely known due to these pilgrimages, the motif of the church has been made a principal charge in the coat-of-arms of the settlement. The tincture argent (silver) can be explained as follows: (Although in Christian symbolism there are no unified views as to the possible interpretation of colours, still, certain rules apply.) Thus, the colour white signifies the divine light, perfection, purity and innocence. In view of rules of heraldry, the heraldic tinctures have been taken into account in this case as well, so the colour white has been achieved by the application of argent (silver). In this case the meaning is that the ruins of the church have played and will play a crucial part in village life. (In modern times organisation and advertising also play an important role.

When applying colours to the coat-of-arms and also when designing its shapes the main aim was to keep its simplicity.

The colour azure (blue) of the shield - apart from the fact that it also serves as a background to the main charges, so a darker tincture was required - refers to the geographical location of the village, since visitors in the outer fields of Cikó are overwhelmed by the brightness of the blue sky as well as the green of the village fields and slopes.

The colour blue, the colour of sky, air and water, is a symbol of all this, and, at the same time, it also refers to purity, truth and faithfulness.

The colour green (vert) means on the one hand the genuine colour of Cikó's hillsides, and, on the other, it also signifies spring, rejuvenation, hope and the Garden of Eden. In this interpretation the Garden of Eden can be found locally, in the beautiful landscape and also in the wealth which was brought about by the inhabitants themselves.

The shape and the colours of the mantling across the top of the shield reflect the simplicity and the plain forms of the coat-of-arms as a whole. The small-size golden circle in the centre of the mantling is a symbol of unity, in fact it is a 'link'. Thus, it may refer to the 'otherness' of people living here, while it also means their interrelatedness.