Brakel (Westfalen)

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

BRAKEL

State : Nordrhein-Westfalen
District (Kreis) : Höxter
Additions : 1970 Beller, Bellersen, Bökendorf, Erkeln, Gehrden, Hembsen, Hinnenburg, Istrup, Rheder, Riesel, Schmechten

Official blazon

Origin/meaning

The arms of Brakel were granted on March 18, 1908.

The arms are based on the oldest known seal from the city, dating from 1285. The arms in the city gate are those of the Lords of Brakel, who ruled the town until the mid 14^th century.
In the 17th and 18th century the city used the small shield as its arms, without the city gate. Only in 1908 the whole composition of the seals was taken as arms for the city.

The colours of the arms of the Lords of Brakel were not known and chosen arbitrarily in 1908. The balls on the bar most likely are not historical, but a misinterpretation of the decoration on the seal. As the number of balls on the seals has changed during the years, it was decided to have only three balls.