Warsaw’s first coat of arms, which dates back to the early 15th century, depicted a half-human, half-bird creature carrying a sword and a shields. Its body was covered with scales. Over the years, it was gradually turning into a female, though it still looked like a winged monster with finned legs. It was only in the 18th century that it was replaced by a shapely half-woman half-fish. The current coat of arms was officially approved in 1938.
How the image of the Warsaw mermaid evolved over the centuries is shown in the door of St. John’s cathedral in the Old Town.
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