Artists irked by Sweden's neutered lion

Published: Feb. 21, 2008 at 6:33 PM

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Feb. 21 (UPI) -- Heraldists at Sweden's National Archives said the Nordic Battlegroup's decision to remove the penis from a lion depicted on its coat of arms violates copyright.

State heraldist Henrik Klackenberg said he and his colleagues want an apology from the Swedish armed forces and the reinstatement of the emasculated lion's male organ, The Local reported Thursday.

"They stepped over the line when they made alterations to the badge without consulting us. It was a clear breach of copyright," Klackenberg said.

Heraldic artist Vladimir Sagerlund said the removal of the lion's private parts shows an ignorance of history, since coats of arms featuring neutered lions have traditionally been given to people accused of betraying the Swedish monarch.

Karl Engelbrektsson, commander of the Nordic Battlegroup, said he decided to remove the lion's genitalia after he determined that the depiction of the organ sends the wrong message at a time when women are being sexually abused in war zones around the world.

© 2008 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Order reprints



Additional News Stories
Huge truffle for sale; what's your bid? (<1 min)
Woods taking 'indefinite break' from golf (3 min)
Italians living longer, have better health (45 min)
UPI NewsTrack Business
Notre Dame introduces Coach Brian Kelly
CBOT closes higher Friday
U.S. House OKs financial reforms bill
fark
Florida Court rules that Judges must unfriend lawyers on Facebook, still allowed to poke defendants...
After finding a video of her at the home of a man who was arrested for videotaping his sexual assualt...
Never forget (the mugshot roundup)
Black Earth Elementary School placed on lockdown due to: (C) wandering bovine
"I want justice," said the mother of the thug who opened fire on the public with a MAC-10
This just in: Holiday treats will make your fat kid fatter