København

KØBENHAVN

Region : Hovedstaden
Amt (until 2007) : København

Official blazon

Origin/meaning

The arms are based on the oldest seal of the city, known since 1254.

The original seal showed a city wall with towers, which gradually was transformed in the three towers. The present arms were officially granted in 1661 by King Frederik III, whose monogram is seen on the middle tower. In addition to the shield itself, the arms showed three helmets, two lions as supporters and many other symbols around the shield (see below). These are no longer used.

Seal from 1275
Seal from 1394
Seal from 1465
Seal from 1539
Seal from 1571
The arms in the city (image by Jan-Erik Løken)
The arms in the city (image by Jens Ettrup Svanborg Kirkbro)
The arms in the city (source)
The arms in the city (source)
Old rendering of the arms (image from Facebook)
The arms as shown in the Kaffe Hag album from the 1930s.
The arms as shown on a cigarette card from 1926
The arms as shown in a German album +/- 1910
The arms as shown on a UK cigarette card 1912
The arms as shown in a German quartett game +/- 1905
The arms as shown in a German album +/- 1930
The arms as shown in a Austrian album +/- 1935
The arms as shown in a German album +/- 1925
The arms on a postcard (1950s ?)
The arms on a Dutch cigar band
The arms on a Dutch cigar band
The arms on a Belgian cigar band

Literature: Achen, 1982

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