iceland emblem

Coat of arms of Iceland. The coat of arms of Iceland displays a silver-edged, red cross on blue shield. This alludes to the design of the Icelandic flag. The supporters are the four protectors of Iceland (landvættir) standing on a pahoehoe lava block.[citation needed] The bull (Griðungur) is the protector of southwestern Iceland, the eagle or griffin (Gammur) protects northwestern Iceland, the dragon (Dreki) the northeastern part and the Rock-giant (Bergrisi) is the protector of southeastern Iceland. Great respect was given to these creatures of Iceland, so much that there was a law during the time of the Vikings that no ship should bear grimacing symbols (most often dragonheads on the bow of the ship) when approaching Iceland. This was so the protectors would not be provoked unnecessarily.