National and historical symbols of Hungary

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Darnó

(Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County)

Triangular shield erect and party per pale azure and vert. In field vert a wavy bend argent. Above it in field azure a leaved ear of corn is borne encouped. It is topped by an eight-pointed star or. On two sides from it in fields vert an uprooted oak tree or and acorned. Below the shield a tripartite ribbon or is borne encouped. Ribbon has the settlement’s name DARNO inscribed in it in capital letters sable. Before and behind the settlement’s name an ornamental dot sable.

When designing Darnó’s coat-of-arms the characteristics of the settlement, its location and natural resources, the brook which runs through it, the inhabitants’ religious affiliation as well as the settlement’s sygillographic traditions were considered.

The eight-pointed star symbolises the Calvinist faith of local inhabitants. The name of the settlement comes from a word of Slavic origin and it used to mean ’Lawn’. This fact is underlined by the green colour of Darnó’s coat-of-arms.

In the settlement’s traditional seal an oak branch was borne as central charge.

The oak is considered a charge of utmost importance in heraldry. This fact can be explained by the multitude of its symbolic interpretations. Due to its imperishable hard wood the oak has become the symbol of greatness, unbreakable power, perseverance and immortality. As early as the age of antiquity the oak tree was the tree of the main deity. Due to its considerable size and strong roots this tree was also considered the emblem of masculinity. In ancient Rome it used to signify someone of high rank. The oak-leaved wreath was the symbol of Roman citizenship. The golden oak-leaved wreath was an award given to those Roman citizens who had saved other people’s lives. In Celtic legends the oak tree was the tree of the world and it connected the sky and the earth. Since oak trees often got struck by lightnings in Germanic beliefs they were assiociated with the Tempest God. In folk beliefs oak leaves as well as the ember and the ashes of the oak wood had healing power. In the Old Testament the oak tree is identical with power and strength. According to Christian beliefs the oak tree symbolises the strength of religious faith.Tradition has it that Christ’s cross was also made from oak wood. Pictures of the Holy Virgin hung on oak trees marked the centre of numerous medieval places of pilgrimage. In addition to these meanings the oak tree is also associated with heroism, bravery and moral bearing in heraldry.

The ear of corn – considering the most basic meaning of it – in the first place symbolises fertility. As the fallen seeds of a dying plant can give life to a new plant so the seeds might also refer to rebirth. The ear of corn is symbolical of the eternal cycle of nature, of life force, of the seed’s falling onto the ground and its dissolution. This interpretation of the meaning of an ear of corn appeared as early as the symbolic sytems of the earliest civilizations were born and this is why the ear of corn has always been an attribute to Harvest God, Mother Nature, Death and Resurrection. It is also our most essential food, so the ear of corn can be interpreted as the symbol of the conditions of life, life itself, wealth and the presence of God. In the Bible it was the sacrificial gift of the farming Cain. In the Book of Psalms the ear of corn is a reference to the wealth of Messiah’s country and to the blessings of God. ’There will be an abundance of grain in the earth, On the top of the mountains.’(Psalm 72:16) The same idea also gets menetioned in the New Testament in relation to Christ’s country. The dissolved seed will become fertile and it will result in new life. In the biblical parable of the grain and the cockle the seed symnbolises those believers who will be chosen on Judgment Day. Apostle Paul associated corn seeds with resurrection. In typologocal intepretation the first sheaf was to have meant Christ. The grain appears in John’s Gospel as well. ’unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone. But if it dies, it produces much grain.’ (John, 12:24) In depictions of the Holy Virgin the grain of wheat is a reference to Christ’s coming. The ear of corn became a widely used symbol in the Middle Ages, since the Holy Virgin was perceived at that time as a field of wheat, which produces much grain without seeds. The ears of corn embracing each other also symbolise harmony, accordance and the unity of any community.

The heraldic tinctures and metals in Darnó’s coat-of-arms were used in accordance with the general rules of heraldry. Like all cultures, heraldry has also linked the colours to the cosmic world. Accordingly, their symbolic meanings can be described as follows:

Or (golden)/Sun: sense, wit, authority, superiority, chastity and morality.

Argent (silver)/Moon: wisdom, purity, innocence, honesty and prudence.

Azure (blue)/Jupiter: faithfulness, perseverance, resistance and trust.

Vert (green)/Venus: freedom, love, hope and eternity.

Darnó’s coat-of-arms was designed on the basis of the above described ideas and it is recommended for the local governemnt to consider its acceptance

Photos:

01. Calvinist Church

02. Cultural centre (former Domahidy mansion)

03. Cultural centre (former Domahidy mansion)

04. Mayor’s Office

05. Funeral Parlour

06. Calvinist Church