National and historical symbols of Hungary

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Nagylók

(County Fejér)

Nagylók is a settlement of nearly 750 years of history. With its rows of houses and plots of land it is situated in the county of Fejér.

Nagylók's coat-of-arms is a heater erect, field gules tierced per tenté azure by two curves issuing from the chief and terminating at dexter and sinister base points. In dexter field gules a cross of Lorraine alaisé argent, in sinister field gules a stylised fleur-de-lys alaisé or. In tent azure on water vert wavy of argent a galley or passant with sails gules hoisted and untied.

Across the top a tilting helmet proper at a slant, bordered or, round the gorget on a ribbon a medaillon, both or. Helm crested with a triple-pointed crown verdured or, gorged with ruby and sapphire.

Mantling: dexter vert and or, sinister azure and argent.

The coat-of-arms of Nagylók recalls some of the more important periods of its history. The settlement is ancient; as early as the second half of the 13th century, the members of the Győr clan sold it for ever outside the chapter of Fehérvár to Palatine Moys and to Sándor, Bailiff of Zana, which is proof that it dates back to the age of the Árpád dynasty. Since the name is of Slavic origin, it seems reasonable that the cross of Lorraine, borne in the Árpád dynasty's coat-of-arms, was adopted.

In the Anjou era, in connection with an act of violence, whereby István, son of Domonkos was attacked and beaten in his own house at Töbörzsök by his enemies, who also did some other arbitrary action, it was András, son of Benedek of Lók, a local noble in the service of the crown, who carried out the investigation. Thus the stylised fleur-de-lys refers to the first dweller known by name, and symbolises the settlement's development in the 14th century.

Later, during the Ottoman rule, Nagylók was also mentioned by Turkish sources as a possession, which is reflected in the colour green of the mantling, the holy tincture of Islam. The cross described above is also a symbol of the village church (Pusztatemplom) destroyed around this time.

In the second half of the 19th century it was Count János Zichy who greatly contributed to the prosperity of the settlement. His patron saint was St John of Nepomuk, protector of water-mill keepers and of those travelling by water. The galley with sails untied is a charge on Count Zichy's seal, but it may also be a symbolic representation of the idea that the settlement, having endured the trials and tribulations of past centuries, is steadily pursuing its aim. This is why the galley is borne in the blue tent of the shield.

The helmet evokes the memory of the local people who died a heroic death during the world wars, whereas the crown is a representation of the settlement's autonomy.

E-mail: onkorm.nagylok@dunanet.mv

Pictures:

1. World War I. memorial

2. Catholic church

3. Infant school and restaurant