Mother Svea

Mother Svea is normally depicted as a powerful female warrior, valkyrie or shieldmaiden, frequently holding a shield and standing beside a lion.

The popular image is considered to have been created by Swedish writer, Anders Leijonstedt [sv] (1649–1725) when first introduced in his poem Svea Lycksaligheets Triumph (1672).

[1] As a patriotic symbol, Moder Svea gained widespread popularity in Kunga Skald (1697), written by Swedish poet Gunno Eurelius (1661–1709) in honor of King Charles XI of Sweden.

[2] Mother Svea appeared frequently as a national symbol in 19th-century Swedish literature and culture.

[3] Swedish singer Lena Philipsson and composer Torgny Söderberg wrote a song entitled Moder Swea which was introduced in the 1995 album Lena Philipsson.