The story of Erminig

According to legend, while walking out one winters day, Anne, the Duchess of Brittany happened to observe hunters taking after a stoat (in Breton - Erminig). When the hunting party caught up with the animal near a river, the stoat behaved in complete contradiction of its nature: rather than crossing through the muddy river to save itself (thereby soiling its beautiful white fur), the stoat chose instead to face the hunters and certain death! Fascinated by this display from the stoat, Anne ordered the hunters to let the animal live. From the stoat’s noble display came the adage of Brittany ‘Rather death than becoming stained’.
This motto reflects the Breton character: honest, uncompromising and authentic.