A Swiss cantonal parliamentarian has proposed altering the coat of arms of Bern, a canton in Switzerland, to make it more “progressive” and “gender neutral.” The proposal, introduced in March, aimed to change how the bear depicted on the canton’s coat of arms and flag is presented.
According to Swissinfo, the cantonal government rejected the idea after receiving a written question from Liberal Green parliamentarian Thomas Brönnimann. Brönnimann, who has also advocated for gender-neutral restrooms, described the current coat of arms as “simply outdated.” He argued that depicting the bear without masculine attributes would better represent the population as a whole and suggested repositioning it to symbolize progress.
The cantonal government noted that Bern’s coat of arms has remained virtually unchanged since the 15th century.
The proposal highlights how national symbols reflect cultural and political identity. Historically, groups have sought to reshape emblems to align with their ideologies. For example, the tricolor flag became a symbol of revolutionary ideals during the French Revolution, and many newly formed Swiss cantons adopted green—then regarded as a “revolutionary” color—in the 19th century. After communist takeovers in countries like Russia and China, socialist symbols replaced national emblems.
In contemporary Europe, most member states display the EU flag alongside their national flags, indicating efforts to diminish sovereign control. Architecturally, Western traditions have been gradually replaced by modernist styles disconnected from historical cultural contexts.
Similar shifts occur in the United States. The American flag is increasingly overshadowed by symbols such as the “pride” flag and others labeled as culturally Marxist. Several states, including Minnesota, have revised or considered changing their flags due to accusations of racism. Additionally, Congress’s designation of Juneteenth as a national holiday with the title “Juneteenth National Independence Day” has created tension with the traditional July 4th Independence Day.
