File:Sweden greater coat of arms.jpg

The Swedish Greater Coat of Arms. Illustration c. 1900, Rikskalendern, Kungl. Boktryckeriet. P. A. Norstedt & Söner : Stockholm 1908.

This particular design was used by the Swedish Government until the late 1970s, e.g. in the annual register (Sveriges statskalender). As the the current legislation only decribes the design in a general fashion, a number of slightly different designs have emerged, usually simplified computer animations etc.

However, this version of the Greater coat of arms still conforms with the current Swedish legislation on the State arms. See: Lag No. 268 om Sveriges Riksvapen of April 29, 1982.

The shield may be surmounted by the royal orders. The greater coat of arms is usually surmounted by the Collar of the Order of Seraphim, the most prominent in Sweden, and the highest honour the Sweidsh state can bestow on an individual.

Unlike the lesser coat of arms, which may only be surrounded by the Order of the Seraphim, the shield of the greater coat of arms may be surrounded by all or any of the four royal orders. (See sections 2 and 3, Lag No. 268 om Sveriges Riksvapen of April 29, 1982, further specified by the Royal court.) A common practice has been the use of all the four Royal Orders, those of the Order of the Polar Star, Order of Vasa and the Order of the Sword. The Order of Charles XIII could also surround the shield.

As the illustrated version have more than one royal order included around the shield, they are put in falling order (less prestigious first). Order of Carl XIII, Order of Vasa, Order of the Polar Star, Order of the Sword and ending with the Order of the Seraphim.