Lion and Griffin: What Does the Coat of Arms of Budapest Really Tell Us?

The shield is divided into two parts by a silver wavy fess, clearly symbolizing the Danube River, which physically separates the city while at the same time connecting it economically and culturally. The upper red field features a single-towered castle representing Pest, while the lower field displays a three-towered castle symbolizing the historical significance of Buda and Óbuda.

The most fascinating elements, however, are the supporters of the shield. On the left side of the coat of arms (visually left, heraldically right) stands a golden lion representing Buda. The lion is the classic symbol of courage and strength, reflecting the military heritage of Buda's Castle District.

The "bird" on the right is, in fact, a mythological creature: the griffin—a beast with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion—which symbolizes Pest. In heraldry, the griffin represents vigilance, wisdom, and guardianship. Together, the two creatures embody both authority and civic progress. The Holy Crown placed above the shield refers to the Hungarian state and to Budapest's status as the nation's capital.

On 28 April 1873, the committee responsible for preparing the unification of the three cities commissioned painter Lajos Friedrich to design the new coat of arms. The committee approved the final design. An important objective was to incorporate references to the former coats of arms of the three united cities into the new emblem. At the same time, the design had to comply with the principles of heraldry, preserve historical continuity, and remain simple while also expressing Hungarian statehood, as it was intended to serve as the coat of arms of the nation's capital.

It is no coincidence that the lion, the heraldic animal of Buda, inspired the Budapest Collection, available exclusively at the Citadella and Liberty Statue gift shops.