SOVEREIGN AND STATE

The arms of the modern state may be different from the arms of the sovereign which reflect dynastic history.

The State of Luxembourg uses as its arms the lion of the medieval Luxemburg family (red on barry silver and blue), which became associated with that geographical area and is used also by the Belgian province of Luxembourg.

The present Grand Dukes are from a branch of the Nassau family and on their arms they quarter the lion of Luxembourg with that of Nassau (gold on blue with golden billets).