Varel

Heraldry of the World
Civic heraldry of Germany - Deutsche Wappen (Gemeindewappen/Kreiswappen)

VAREL

State : Niedersachsen
District (Kreis) : Friesland
Additions : 1972 Varel-Land

Official blazon

Origin/meaning

The arms were granted on October 1, 1937.

The city wall and tower symbolise that Varel received city rights in 1858. The anchor symbolises the importance of shipping and ship-building in the city. The rose is derived from the arms of the Counts of Aldenburg, who ruled the town from 1667-1733. The cross is derived from the arms of the Counts of Bentinck, who succeeded the Counts of Aldenburg in 1733. The local seal in the 19th and early 20th century shows already a similar composition, with two pillars on the wall. The meaning of the pillars is not known.

In the 1930s Hupp showed the arms based on the above seal, with the pillars in red.

Seal from around 1900

The arms in the Kaffee Hag albums +/- 1925

In the Abadie albums of 1932 the arms appear also with the pillars, but now in silver. The windows are shown as wheels and the anchor is also silver in this version: