Deutsche Wappen (Gemeindewappen/Kreiswappen) German Civic Heraldry

BONN

State : Nordrhein-Westfalen
Urban District (Kreisfreie Stadt) : Bonn
Additions : 1969 : Beuel, Bad Godesberg, Buschdorf, Duisdorf, Ippendorf, Lengsdorf, Lessenich, Röttgen, Holzlar, Oberkassel

Origin/meaning:
The arms were officially granted in 1971.

Bonn received city rights probably in the early 13^th century. The oldest seal, known since 1250, shows the patron saint, St. Cassius, depicted as a knight. The next seal, dating from the 14^th century, shows the cross of Köln and the lion. The area was part of the diocese of Köln. The lion is a symbol for the old 'Dingstuhl' or justice-place. The lion is often named 'Wölfchen' (little wolf) or 'Leopard' and is sometimes shown standing on a boar. On the ante-seals of the city only the lion is shown.

During the years the colours of the lower half of the arms have changed often. The most widely used colours were a red lion on a blue shiled, generally used from 1792-1971. But Hupp showed in the 1930s the arms with a silver field. Similarly, as can be seen from the images below, the lion has been crowned and with or without golden nails. In 1971 it was also decided to make the lion facing the viewer.

Literature : Stadler, K. : Deutsche Wappen - Bundesrepublik Deutschland; Nagel, Rheinisches Wappenbuch

Home © Ralf Hartemink 1996, ->

See also my other sites Food-Info.net and Food Dictionary