Ottersweier

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OTTERSWEIER

State : Baden-Württemberg
District (Kreis) : Rastatt (until 1972 Bühl)
Additions : 1936 Hatzenweier, 1973 Unzhurst (1936 Oberwasser, Zell)

Official blazon

(de) In Rot auf schwarzem Dreiberg ein goldener Kelch mit silberner Hostie darüber, begleitet von zwei silbernen Sternen.

Origin/meaning

The oldest known seal of Ottersweier dates from the middle of the 18^th century. It already shows the chalice with the stars and mountain. The wafer on top was originally also a star. The arms on the seals remained unchanged until 1876, when the chalice and stars were replaced by a candle in a beaker.

In 1895 the municipality wanted to define the colours of the arms, and the State Archives proposed the older arms in the present colours. Why the upper star was replaced by a wafer (a host) is not known.
The chalice is most likely the symbol of St. Barbara, the patron saint of a chapel on the local cemetery.

Without the stars, the chalice was used as a village symbol on border stones.