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Deutsche Wappen (Gemeindewappen/Kreiswappen) German Civic Heraldry

MAGDEBURG

State : Sachsen-Anhalt
Urban District (Stadtkreis) : Magdeburg
Additions : 1867 Sudenburg; 1886 Neustadt; 1887 Buckau; 1908 Rothensee; 1910 Cracau, Fermersleben, Lemsdorf, Prester, Salbke, Westerhüsen; 1926 Diesdorf; 1952 Groß Ottersleben; 1979 Olvenstedt; 1993 Pechau, Randau-Calenberge; 2001 Beyendorf / Sohlen

Origin/meaning:
The arms were officially granted in 1938.

The arms of Magdeburg are canting, a virgin (Magd) on a city wall (Burg). The oldest seal of the city, dating from 1244 already shows a virgin on a wall. In another seal from 1265 the virgin holds a wreath. Later seals all show the same arms.
In the 16^th century the arms are quartered with the old arms in the first and fourth quarter. In the second and third quarter a rose is added. The rose has been explained, either as the rose of Neugattersleben or as the Lutheran rose. The city owned the village of Neugattersleben and the rose was the arms of the Lords von Gattersleben in the 14^th century. The Lutheran rose should indicate that the city had become Lutheran.

Literature : Papendieck, H. : Die Wappen der Landkreise und kreisfreien Städte des Landes Sachsen-Anhalt. Landesarchiv Magdeburg, 1996.

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