Forst (Lausitz)

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 : 60,762 Of which images : 40,686	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

FORST (LAUSITZ)

State : Brandenburg
District (Kreis) : Spree-Neisse
Additions : 1940 Domsdorf, Eulo, Keune, Noßdorf; 1946 Sarco; 1993 Bohrau, Briesnig, Groß Bademeusel, Groß Jamno, Horno, Klein Bademeusel, Klein Jamno, Mulknitz, Naundorf

Official blazon

In Rot ein goldener Schild, belegt mit einer linksgekehrten, fünfendigen roten Hirschstange. Auf dem Helm mit Decken aus einer Krone wachsend die Wappenfigur, alles golden.

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on April 13, 2011. They were first granted on October 29, 1924 and confirmed on December 3, 2005.

The arms of Forst show a red antler in gold. The use of the antler is derived from the arms of the Lords of Bieberstein, whi ruled the city from 1380-1667. When the city started to use the arms of the family is not known. The oldest known seal dates from 1595 and the arms granted in 1924 are based on that seal.

The arms of Forst from 1924 (Rühl, 1928)

During the centuries the antler has changed considerably in shape, position and the number of branches. In the late 19th century the arms used were mainly based on the composition of the seal of 1642, as shown in some examples below. As many different variations of the arms were used it was decided to use the composition of the oldest seal, which was discovered in 1909. The First World War delayed the procedure and the arms were finally granted in 1924.

During the DDR times the use of helmet, crest and mantling was discouraged and only the shield proper was used. In the 1990s the complete armorial bearings were restored, but for practical use only the shield itself is used.

In 2011 the whole historical composition was placed on a shield.