Black panther (symbol)

The symbol can still be found in the coat of arms of the Austrian state of Styria, although in a white version on green background, dating back to the 13th century.

[3] On the contrary, the economist Jožko Šavli, an adherent of the pseudohistorical autochthonist Venetic theory, believed that it originated from the Roman province of Noricum, was later adopted by Carantania, and then by the Styrian nobility.

Šavli claimed that he had discovered several feudal families originating from the old Carantanian area that had a black panther in their dynastic coat of arms.

Several academic historians, such as Peter Štih, have disputed the hypothesis that the black panther was the symbol of Carolingian and Ottonian Duchy of Carinthia.

[7][8] The panther is also used in the coat of arms of the special forces unit of the Slovenian Police, although in their case stylized in red and presented on a black shield.