The coat of arms of the German state of Schleswig-Holstein is vertically divided: in the heraldically right field, i.e. left as seen by the viewer, two blue lions are depicted on a golden background, facing the other half.

In contrast to the proper Schleswig lions which face to the left (cf.

this gallery) the lions in the state arms face the right side.

According to legend Otto von Bismarck ordered this change after the Second Schleswig War because he thought it was "impolite" by the Lions to show their hindside to Holstein.

In fact, it is usual in German heraldry for charges in a composite coat of arms to turn to face the center; this practice is known as heraldic courtoisie ('courtesy').