Lünen
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Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of Germany - Deutsche Wappen (Gemeindewappen/Kreiswappen) |
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LÜNEN
State : Nordrhein-Westfalen
District (Kreis) : Unna (until 1974 Lünen was a separate urban district)
Additions : 1914 Lippholthausen; 1923 Beckinghausen, Gahmen, Horstmar; 1928: Brambauer; 1968: Niederaden; 1975 Altlünen, Amt Bork (partly)
Origin/meaning
The arms were officially granted on December 2, 1947.
The oldest seal of Lünen is known since 1320, but a seal was already mentioned in 1299. All known seals show a lion, most often however, with a single tail. The colours are known since 1509, but sometimes the lion is armed of silver. The double tail appeared in the last century and was officially adopted in 1947.
The origin of the lion is not known. It has been stated that the lion is the lion of the Welfen dynasty, as Duke Heinrich the lion of Braunschweig has granted some rights to the city. It has also been stated that the lion is the lion of the Counts of Altena-Mark who owned the city in the late 13th century.
 Seal from around 1900 |
 The arms in the Kaffee Hag albums +/- 1925 |
Literature : Stadler, 1964-1971, 8 volumes; Hupp, O: Kaffee Hag albums, 1920s