Avase (Swedish pronunciation:[ˈ̍vɑːsːɛ]ⓘ) is aheraldic symbol that has been used by the Swedish and Polish-LithuanianHouse of Vasa. It has been used as a symbol of the Swedish state even after the extinction of the Vasa lineage, and was reused in 1818 as part of thecoat of arms of Sweden. Thevase has been used by other families, both noble and common, and is still in use by the government-owned real estate enterpriseVasakronan.
The term originally referred to a bundle of twigs or branches and comes from theOld Swedishvasi and is related tovad ("seine").The term has been used in compounds such asrisvase (a bundle of straw of twigs used to attract fish near shore) andstormvase ("fascine"). As acoat of arms the termvase has likely been used since the symbol has mostly resembled a fascine.[1]
The exact meaning of the heraldic symbol of the Vasa family has been debated among both historians andheralds. During the late 16th century, thevase was depicted to look more like a sheaf, while medieval depictions show a sort of bundle, and which possibly could have been a depiction of a type ofanchor plate. In modern times, depictions of avase as a sheaf are considered inaccurate. Due to its historical association with a sheaf, it has sometimes been calledvasakärven, "the Vasa sheaf".
Thevase was used as a nationalist symbol during the 1930s and 1940s, especially by fascist and nazist groups in Sweden, such as theSwedish National Socialist Workers' Party (Svensk socialistisk samling) underSven Olov Lindholm (1903–1998).[2] Thevase was also used as a party symbol byNational Socialist Front which was active about 1984–2008. It was also used by democratic political organizations like Svenska Landsbygdens Kvinnoförbund, today Centerkvinnorna, the women's organization of theCentre Party.