Beelitz

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BEELITZ

State : Brandenburg
District (Kreis) : Potsdam-Mittelmark (until 1993 Potsdam-Land)
Additions : 2002 Busendorf (1950 Kanin, Klaistow), Elsholz, Fichtenwalde, Reesdorf, Rieben, Salzbrunn, Schäpe, Schlunkendorf, Wittbrietzen, Zauchwitz (1973 Körzin)

Official blazon

(de) In Silber ein gold-bewehrter und mit goldenen Kleestengeln auf den Saxen belegter roter Adler, in seinen Fängen rechts ein goldener Schlüssel und links ein goldener Halbmond.

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on January 10, 1992.

Beelitz received city rights around 1341 from the Counts of Brandenburg, who acquired the city in 1321. The arms thus show the eagle of Brandenburg, holding in its claws a key and crescent, taken from the older seal of the city, see below.

In 1967 the town received new arms, which were based on the oldest seal, dating from 1307.

The seal showed only the key and two crescents. The key is the symbol of St. Peter, the patron saint of Brandenburg, the meaning of the two crescents is not very clear. It has been stated that the crescents are the symbol of St. Mary, patron saint of the Cistercian Abbey in Neustadt-Magdeburg, to whom the village belonged at the time.

In 1459 the eagle appeared on the seal, besides the key and crescent. In the 16th century the eagle became the main charge on the seal, and from 1696 onwards the eagle is holding the key and crescent.

In 1992 the city adopted again the old arms. At present the city uses often a mural crown on the shield.