The coat of arms of the German state and city of Hamburg is a kind af a national emblem. The coat of arms and the flags are regulated by the constitution of Hamburg ^{[1] [2]} and law. The colors of Hamburg are red and white. One of the oldest versions of the castle is found on a seal in 1245.

Coat of Arms of Hamburg

Greater Coat of arms of Hamburg

Lesser Coat of arms of Hamburg

Admiralty Coat of Arms of Hamburg

Description

All coat of arms show a castle with three towers. The middle tower shows a cross on top. It is believed that the so-called Stars of Mary (Mariensterne) on top of the two side-towers and the cross recalls the fact that Hamburg used to be an archbishopric. ^[1] The towers and the walls with their pinnacles and the closed gate symbolized the determination of the town to defend itself.

Greater Coat of Arms

The Greater Coat of Arms shows the castle, the stars and the church in silver on red ground with two lions standing on a compartment. The top is like the middle coat of arms with a helmet with crest including three peacock feathers and six banners of the arms and a mantling. This coat of arms is protected and only allowed to be used by the Senat and the Diet of Hamburg.^[1]

Admiralty Coat of Arms of Hamburg

The Admiralty Coat of Arms of Hamburg is used for official ships of Hamburg.^[1]

History

The oldest coat of arms of Hamburg has been retained on a city seals int the 12th and 13th century. During the centuries the towers, walls, pinnacles and symbols of the coat of arms of Hamburg changed several times, without changing in character. The central castle was shown with opened doors sometimes with closed doors and with a portcullis. ^[1]

In general the use of city seals with the coat of arms was a privilege of the City Council. The city elders had to watch its maintenance. Even now the coat of arms is protected and can only be used under specific circumstances. The colors of version of the lesser arms of 2008 are declared by an act of law of the Senate of Hamburg on May 14, 1752.^[1]

Older Coat of Arms of Hamburg

Seal of 1245

German Empire 1871 - 1918

Nazi Germany 1933 - 1945

Greater Coat of Arms

The coat of arms exists since the 16th century.^[1]

Admiralty Coat of Arms of Hamburg

The coat of arms exists since 1642.^[1]

References

See also

• Coat of arms of Prussia

External links

• Media related to Coats of arms of Hamburg at Wikimedia Commons.
• http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/de-hh)

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