Mate Božić

alt=Mate Božić addressing to the Great Nobiliary Council of the Croatian Nobility Association, held in Klis, May 26th 2018. Mate Božić, as the representative of the Croatian Heraldic and Vexillological Association, and other attendees of the Great Nobiliary Council of the Croatian Nobility Association, held in Klis, May 26th 2018. (from left to right): Tina Borelli Tkalčec, Gaja Pozojević, Nikša Kuščić, Umberto Marušić, Dorotea Murković Puškarić, Matija Borelli Mate Božić (born February 28, 1981.) is a Croatian historian, writer and author.

Biography Mate Božić was born in Split where he attended Classical Gymnasium before graduating from the University of Split's Faculty of Humanities with a degree in history and philosophy. (as a part of the Department of History at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of Split University) and is engaged as its current liquidator, student history journal "Pleter" and theological-philosophical journal "Odraz" (2005). He is member of the Croatian Heraldic and Vexillological Association, Croatian Philosophical Society, collaborator of the Croatian Heritage Foundation (CHF) – Split branch, as well as the coordinator of "Regnum Croatorum" (archeological tourism) project, "Škola heraldike" (Klis) and "Mala škola filozofije" (Solin).

Being a reputable expert on Croatian heraldry Božić's principal scientific focus is the study of Croatian heraldic theory and practice, as well as historical-philosophical subjects of the Croatian early Middle Ages. Serving as a herald of the Historical unit Kliški uskoci ("Uskoks of Klis") he additionally contributed to the foundation of the historical early medieval reenactment group "Praetoriani Croatorum". He shares and popularizes his findings through "GottschTalk" blog postings and as a columnist through a series of essays published by Split, Kaštela and Solin web portals, where he lives and works.

Symbolism of the Croatian Coat of Arms One of historian Božić's most significant scientific contributions lies in his research on the Croatian coat of arms. He contends that the emblem symbolizes a fortress rather than simply a checkboard pattern, framing it as a representation of Croatia as a "bulwark of Christianity" in the context of historical conflicts with the Ottoman Empire. His presentation and writings emphasize that this coat of arms has deep-rooted significance that aligns with the country's historical struggles and identity.

Božić's theories gained acknowledgment through the recent declaration by the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts (HAZU), which recognized the legitimacy of various forms of the Croatian coat of arms, irrespective of color variations. His participation in discussions surrounding this declaration underscores his role in shaping contemporary understandings of Croatian heraldry and identity.

Selected publications

– (2014) Božić, Mate. "Udruga studenata povijesti 'Toma Arhiđakon'" // Spalatumque dedit ortum: zbornik povodom desete godišnjice Odsjeka za povijest Filozofskog fakulteta u Splitu = Collected papers on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Department of History, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Split / I. Basić, M. Rimac (ur.) Split: Odsjek za povijest Filozofskog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Splitu 2014; str.77–85 https://www.croris.hr/crosbi/publikacija/prilog-knjiga/68896 – (2017) Božić, Mate. "Bitka kod Siska 1593. godine" // Pleter, 1 (2017) 1; str. 177–192 https://www.croris.hr/crosbi/publikacija/prilog-casopis/291543 – (2017) Božić, Mate; Ćosić, Stjepan. "Nastanak hrvatskih grbova: Podrijetlo, povijest i simbolika od 13. do 16. stoljeća" // Gordogan, 35–36 (2017.); 22 – 68 https://www.croris.hr/crosbi/publikacija/prilog-casopis/291537 – (2019) Božić, Mate. "'HRVAT' I 'HRVATI' – OD TOPONIMA DO ETNONIMA" // Pleter, 3 (2019) 3; str. 135–176 https://www.croris.hr/crosbi/publikacija/prilog-casopis/291541 – (2021) Božić, Mate; Ćosić, Stjepan. HRVATSKI GRBOVI geneza – simbolika – povijest. Zagreb, Hrvatska sveučilišna naklada, Filozofski fakultet sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Institut društvenih znanosti; 2021. – (2022) Božić, Mate; Ćosić, Stjepan. "Sveti Jeronim u heraldičkoj simbolici" // Kroatologija, 13 (2022) 3; str. 11–27 https://www.croris.hr/crosbi/publikacija/prilog-casopis/325037 – (2025) Božić, Mate; "Kratki pregled povijesti domobranstva u hrvatskim krajevima" // Trideset godina Hrvatskoga domobrana Omiš i sto pedeset pet godina hrvatskoga domobranstva / D. Zeljko Selak (ur.) Omiš - Dugi Rat: Ogranak Matice hrvatske u Imotskome, Hrvatski domobran - Udruga ratnih veterana Omiš, 2025; str. 51-53.