Nec pluribus impar
Nec pluribus impar is the motto of the Kingdom of France in the 17th and 18th centuries, introduced by King Louis XIV . The Sun King decorated his coat of arms accordingly, but the standards of the French army were also provided with Nec pluribus impar .
The Latin motto is literally translated as “not inferior to several”. One possible translation is "also superior to a majority". It is not clear whether the “majority” meant the large number of larger and smaller German princes or the entire concert of European powers.
The Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm I self-confidently countered this motto of Louis XIV with his motto: Non soli cedit ! ("He - namely the Prussian eagle - does not give way to the sun"). His Francophile successor Friedrich II changed the motto to Pro Gloria et Patria , but had the old Non soli cedit attached to the gable of the newly built New Palace in Potsdam after the war against France .
This motto can also be found in other buildings in Germany: At Linderhof Palace in the vestibule, above the equestrian statue of Louis XIV, his motto is emblazoned on the ceiling.
It can also be seen on the north side of the German Gate of the Landau Fortress (facing Germany) .
Non soli cedit is still featured in the coat of arms of the von Geusau families in Germany and Austria.
The motto Nec pluribus impar is also used by the 1st Cavalry Regiment of the Foreign Legion .
