Last modified: 2026-02-21 by 
klaus-michael schneider
Keywords: usseira | tree | bear | inescutcheon | plates | crescent(recumbent) |
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![[Usseira commune flag]](../images/p/pt-obdus.gif)
2:3, image by António Martins-Tuválkin and Sérgio Horta, 2 Feb 2026
It is a typical Portuguese communal flag, with the coat of arms centred on a plain yellow field.
Source: Sérgio Horta´s webpage
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 22 June 2018
![[Usseira commune CoA]](../images/p/pt-obdus).gif)
image by António Martins-Tuválkin and Sérgio Horta, 2 Feb 2026
Shield Vert, a tree Or eradicated Argent and fructed Gules, supported by two bears rampant Proper, armed and tongued red,
in chief the Portugal Ancient inescutcheon, Azure fimbriated Argent and charged with 14 plates ordered 4:3:4:3, between two crescents recumbent Argent.
Mural crown Argent with three visible towers (village rank) and white scroll with inscription in black initials "USSEIRA - ÓBIDOS".
Meaning:
These arms are partly canting, as the toponym is reputed to stem from "usso", an archaic form of modern Portuguese urso, meaning "bear"
(it is one of those very early erudite Latin recuperations). It is curious that the blazon indicates merely a tree, without any specification other than the colour of its fruit.
There is an over all resemblance with the arms of Madrid with twice the bears.
Sources: Ralf Hartemink´s webpage and
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 16 Mar 2016 and António Martins-Tuválkin, 2 Feb 2026
Published in Diário da República: III Série on 22 May 2002, see here
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 16 Mar 2016
Usseira Commune is one of the six communes of Óbidos Municipality; it had 954 inhabitants in 2021 and covers 7,12 km².
is one of the __ communes of Municipality not affected by the 2013 changes; it had inhabitants in 2021 and covers km².
António Martins-Tuválkin, 2 Feb 2026
back to Óbidos Communes click here
