Jerchel (Gardelegen)

This page is part of the German heraldry portal Deutsche Wappensammlung	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 : 61,373 Of which images : 41,286	Selected collector's items from Germany: Heraldic postcards Heraldic stamps Heraldic albums Kaffee Hag albums Wappen-Sammlung Heraldic trade cards Arms, Flags and Types of Nations Heraldic coasters Heraldic cigar bands Heraldic artists Otto Hupp Münchener Kalender German heraldic literature

JERCHEL

State : Sachsen-Anhalt
District (Kreis) : Altmarkkreis Salzwedel (until 1994 Gardelegen)
Incorporated into : 2011 Gardelegen

Official blazon

(de) Gespalten von Grün und Gold; vorn am Spalt ein silbernes zwölfspeichiges Rad, hinten ein Wickenzweig mit 12 grünen Blättern und 12 blauen Blüten.

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on May 5, 2003.

The wheel refers to the 12 original settlers from the 14th century on the area of a drained marshland. They moved in with carriages and wagons, which is symbolised by the wheel.

The plant is a Hairy Vetch (or Fodder vetch, Vicia villosa), a common plant in the area, which historically was used as cattle feed. In the local dialect they are called Gerkeln and it is speculated that the name Jerchel is derived therefrom.