The coat of arms of Lithuania consists of a mounted armored knight holding a sword and shield, known as Vytis. Since the early 15th century, it has been Lithuania's official coat of arms and is one of the oldest European coats of arms. It is also known by other names in various languages, such as Waikymas, Pagaune in the Lithuanian language or as Pogonia, Pogon, Погоня (romanized: Pahonia) in the Polish, Belarusian and Ruthenian languages. Vytis is translatable as Chase, Pursuer, Knight or Horseman, similar to the Slavic vityaz (Old East Slavic: brave, valiant warrior). Historically – raitas senoves karžygys (mounted epic hero of old) or in heraldry – raitas valdovas (mounted sovereign). |  |