Untermerzbach

UNTERMERZBACH

State : Bayern
District (Kreis) : Hassberge
Additions : 1971 Gereuth, Obermerzbach, Wüstenwelsberg; 1978 Gleusdorf, Memmelsdorf in Unterfranken

Official blazon
German	Über einem silbernen Wellenbalken in Grün zwei jeweils aus dem Schildrand hervorbrechende, ineinander verschlungene goldene Schlangen, über denen ein silbernes Kreuz schwebt.
English	blazon wanted

Origin/meaning

Untermerzbach did not have arms until the 1970s. The seal of the municipality showed a tree, symbolising a well-known local tree. When the discussion started to devise new arms, the tree was considered not suitable. On July 9, 1979, the local council decided to adopt new arms. The new arms were adopted on January 21, 1980 and granted on May 12, 1980.

The main symbol, the two snakes, are derived from the door of the oldest church in the municipality, the church of Obermerzbach. The snakes date from the early Middle Ages. The cross is taken as a symbol for the castle in Untermerzbach, where a catholic school and educational institute have been situated for many centuries. The waves in the lower part symbolise the village of Memmelsdorf in the municipality. The waves are also canting for the Merzbach river in the municipality (Bach=brook/river). The actual meaning of the snakes is not known. There have been many discussion on their origin, but there is no agreement on the different meanings proposed.

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 : 60,737 Of which images : 40,663	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