Bielsko and Biała’s coat of arms

The merging of the sister towns of Bielsko and Biała in 1951, to create one structure, gave rise to an interesting heraldic issue – a combined usage of both of the coats of arms. Historical origins of each of them were totally different, because they were designed in different epochs – the Bielsko’s coat of arms – in XVth century, and the Biała’s coat of arms – in XVIIIth century.

The Bielsko’s coat of arms incorporates half of the Dukes of Cieszyn’s coat of arms – an eagle with its head turned right. It is a symbol of the time when Bielsko belonged to the Dukedom of Cieszyn. The field on the left represents three white lilies on the red field. They are a modified half of the Wrocław bishops’ coat of arms.

The Biała’s coat of arms presents 5-petal roses that symbolise 5 wounds of Jesus Christ. Another interpretation says that they are supposed to forebode prosperity and good luck of the then-young town and its residents, that could be achieved with everyday hard work and effort in commitment to God.