The town’s coat of arms and colours
Since Mediaeval times, Neuchâtel has proclaimed itself with two emblems:
- that of the count’s house: white chevrons on a red background, superimposed on a yellow background,
- that of the town: a black eagle
Today, the coat of arms of the City of Neuchatel has brought these two ancient emblems together.
Below is the hearldists definition of the town’s coats of arms as it appears today, described in their own inimitable fashion:
D'or à une aigle de sable armée, becquée et languée de gueules, portant en cœur un écu d'or au pal de gueules chargé de trois chevrons d'argent.
In everyday language, it can be translated something like this: a black eagle appears on a yellow background whose claws, beak and tongue are red. The eagle bears on its heart a yellow shield, crossed with a red vertical stripe on which three white chevrons are marked.
And the town’s colours? These are red and green. Currently they can be seen on the uniforms of Les Armourins Pipe and Drum Band. Their costumes were inspired by those of the Armourins, who were the local army of the Town of Neuchâtel under the “ancien regime”. The town’s employees, who wore livery, were also dressed in red and green.
A town’s colours sometimes have no connection with its coat of arms and the colours of Neuchâtel are such a case.
