A Three Crowns tattoo usually refers to Sweden’s oldest national emblem, not just the badge seen on a hockey jersey. The symbol has existed for more than seven hundred years and was around long before the nickname Tre Kronor became associated with the men’s national ice hockey team in 1938. The laws protecting the state’s arms regulate commercial and official use, not what someone chooses to tattoo on their own skin, but that is still a good reason to choose your own illustrative interpretation rather than an exact copy of the coat of arms or a registered federation badge. This guide covers the history behind the symbol, the difference between the coat of arms and the hockey badge, what the law actually regulates, and which styles and placements work well for a game or National Day, with the option of trying a temporary version before deciding on something permanent.
- The Three Crowns have been documented as a Swedish symbol since the 1330s, making them considerably older than the national team’s hockey badge.
- The laws protecting arms apply to commercial and official use, not a private tattoo on your own skin.
- Your own interpretation, rather than an exact copy of the coat of arms or the federation’s logo, is the most personal and safest choice for a tattoo.
What do the Three Crowns actually mean?
Three golden crowns on a blue background have been documented in Sweden since at least the 1330s. Around 1336, King Magnus Eriksson had the symbol depicted in a fresco at the papal palace in Avignon, showing that the emblem was already being used to represent the Swedish crown abroad at that time (source: Three Crowns – Wikipedia).
Historians have suggested various explanations for why there are three crowns. One theory links them to the three realms—Sweden, Norway and Skåneland—that Magnus Eriksson ruled over at times. Another theory traces the symbol back to an earlier seal belonging to Magnus Ladulås, which already featured a similar crown motif. Whatever its origin, the Three Crowns became established as the fixed royal coat of arms under Albert of Mecklenburg from 1364 onwards, and were then carried on by the rulers of the Kalmar Union.
The coat of arms and the national ice hockey team’s Three Crowns are not the same thing
Sweden’s lesser coat of arms is a blue shield with three golden crowns beneath a royal crown, while the greater coat of arms also includes the lion of the House of Bjälbo, the sheaf of the House of Vasa and elements from the House of Bernadotte (source: Sweden’s coat of arms – Wikipedia). It is the simpler version, the crowns without a shield, that most people recognise from flags, match jerseys and jewellery, and it is also the version most often used as the basis for a tattoo.
How the national team got the nickname Tre Kronor
The men’s national ice hockey team first wore three golden crowns on a blue jersey at the 1938 World Championships in Prague, replacing an earlier yellow jersey with the Swedish flag. The team took inspiration from the historical symbol rather than from any heraldic rule, and the name Tre Kronor came from there (source: Sweden men’s national ice hockey team – Wikipedia). A tattoo inspired by the motif is therefore a personal design choice, not a reproduction of either the state’s heraldic shield or the federation’s specific badge. Anyone looking for something more focused on club colours or a specific supporters’ club, such as AIK, Hammarby or IFK, can find it instead in our guide to match-day tattoos with club badges and tricolours, which is outside the scope of this article.
What does the law say about using the symbol commercially?
The Act (1970:498) on the Protection of Arms and Certain Other Official Designations protects the coat of arms, the flag and other official emblems against commercial and official use in trademarks without permission, and permission for such use is handled by the relevant authority. Anyone who violates the law may be fined (source: Act (1970:498) on the Protection of Arms and Certain Other Official Designations).
Since a change to the law in 1982, the Three Crowns on their own, without a shield, have also been considered a protected state emblem when it comes to commercial use in Sweden (source: Three Crowns – Wikipedia). This applies to things such as selling branded goods, registering a company logo or similar commercial or official activities. It does not make a private tattoo illegal, but it is a good reason to ask for your own illustrative interpretation of the motif rather than asking your tattoo artist to copy the coat of arms or the Swedish Ice Hockey Association’s registered badge exactly.
Styles to choose from: linework, crest and minimalist
How detailed the interpretation is comes down mainly to style, as long as the design is your own variation and not an exact copy of an official badge. A more detailed, illustrative style with shading and linework suits anyone who wants a crest-like look without reproducing an exact logo.
If you would rather have a subtle accent, you can choose a minimalist version made with a single line, which works well as a small detail on the wrist or forearm.
You can try either style as a temporary or semi-permanent design before deciding on anything permanent, and anyone who likes the Nordic, rune-inspired feel can find more examples in our guide to Viking-inspired and medieval tattoo designs.
Placement for match day and National Day
Placement depends mostly on the occasion you want the design to be seen at. On the forearm or upper arm, the motif is clearly visible when you roll up the sleeve of your match jersey, making those placements a natural choice for a game where the team is playing in blue and yellow.
The wrist or ankle, on the other hand, makes for a more subtle but still visible detail, which works well for an outdoor celebration of National Day on 6 June. The day is celebrated in remembrance of Gustav Vasa’s election as king in 1523 and the Instrument of Government of 1809, became an official national day in 1983 and a paid day off in 2005 (source: Sweden’s National Day – Wikipedia). A temporary design is quick to reapply for each new game throughout a whole tournament, while a semi-permanent version develops with the skin and therefore needs renewing less often. Anyone planning a whole match-day look, not just the symbol itself, can find more ideas in our guide to tattoos for parties and events.
Frequently asked questions about Three Crowns tattoos
Is a Three Crowns tattoo the same thing as the ice hockey logo?
No. The Three Crowns are an older national symbol, documented since the 1330s, while the ice hockey team first wore the badge on its jersey in 1938, borrowing it from an already established Swedish history. A tattoo inspired by the motif therefore refers to a broader national symbol, not just the team.
Is it illegal to get a Three Crowns tattoo?
No, the legal protection concerns commercial and official use, such as trademarks or branded goods, not what you choose to have tattooed on your own skin. It is still wise to ask for your own interpretation rather than an exact copy of the coat of arms or the federation’s registered badge.
How long does a temporary design last compared with a semi-permanent one?
A temporary tattoo is quick to apply and just as quick to reapply for a new game, while a semi-permanent design develops with the skin and therefore lasts through more occasions before it needs renewing. Exactly how long each version lasts depends on the product and where it is placed, and we cover this in detail in our guide to choosing between temporary and permanent.
Before deciding on anything permanent, it may be worth reading our guide to what you should know before getting a permanent tattoo, and then trying out how a Three Crowns-inspired or Nordic design actually looks on your own skin. Browse the symbol tattoo collection for more examples ahead of the next game or National Day.
