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Deutsche Wappen (Gemeindewappen/Kreiswappen) German Civic Heraldry

WOLFHAGEN

State : Hessen
District (Kreis) : Kassel (until 1973 Wolfhagen)
Additions : 1971 Altenhasungen, Bründersen, Leckringhausen, Niederelsungen, Nothfelden, Viesebeck, Wenigenhasungen; 1972 Ippinghausen, Istha

Origin/meaning:
The arms are canting; a wolf in a little wood.

Wolfhagen was mentioned as a city as early as 1226. It belonged to the counts of Thüringen. The oldest seal known dates from 1236 and shows a knight holding a banner. It most likely depicts the Count of Thüringen. The knight held a shield showing a wolf instead of the lion of Thüringen.

The wolf first appeared on a contra-seal dating from 1279. The seal is very small, and shows a wolf in front of a tree. This seal was used until the middle of the 15^th century.
In 1480 a new seal was used, showing a wolf between oak trees or oak branches. All later seals show the combination of wolf and trees, but the actual composition differed; the wolf is sometimes running, sometimes jumping and can be between or in front of the trees.

Literature : Stadler, 1964-1971, 8 volumes; Hessisches Wappenbuch, 1956; Information from the Wolfhagen city.

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