Biedenkopf

This page is part of the German heraldry portal	Heraldry of the World
German heraldry: National arms Arms of States Arms of historical territories and states Districts (Kreiswappen) Cities and municipalities German Colonies Ecclesiastical heraldry Military heraldry Corporate heraldry Studentika Other civic heraldry Total pages in the German section : 60,762 Of which images : 40,686	Selected collector's items from Germany: Heraldic postcards Heraldic stamps Heraldic albums Kaffee Hag albums Wappen-Sammlung Heraldic trade cards Heraldic coasters Heraldic cigar bands German heraldic literature

BIEDENKOPF

State : Hessen
District (Kreis) : Marburg-Biedenkopf (until 1973 Biedenkopf)
Additions : 1971 Dexbach, Eckelshausen, Engelbach, Kombach; 1974 Breidenstein, Katzenbach, Wallau, Weifenbach

Official blazon

In Blau über silberner Zinnenmauer drei silberne Türme – der mittlere bezinnt, die beiden kleineren Seitentürme mit rotem Kegeldach und goldenem Knauf; beiderseits des Mitteldachs ein goldenes Vierblatt; unter der Mauer in Rot ein schreitender goldener Löwe.

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted in 1909 and again on July 24, 1975.

The arms are derived from the oldest known seal of the city, known since 1259. The seal shows a city wall and a lion in the base (see below). The lion most likely is the lion of Hessen, as the city has always been a possession of the Counts of Hessen. The seal does not show the bars on the lion though. The lion is mostly shown as the lion of the Welfen family, who ruled much more North in Germany. The origin of the colours is thus not clear.

The seal from 1259.

Hupp showed the arms rather different in the Kaffee Hag albums; the basic design is the same, but the lion is clearly shown as the lion of Hessen and the two flowers between the towers are missing.