Seelow

Heraldry of the World
Civic heraldry of Germany - Deutsche Wappen (Gemeindewappen/Kreiswappen)

SEELOW

State : Brandenburg
District (Kreis) : Märkisch Oderland (until 1993 Seelow)
Additions : 2003 Werbig

Official blazon

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted in 2001.

The arms are based on the oldest known seal of the city, dating from 1429. The two boat-hooks are the symbol of St. Adalbertus of Prague, who acted as a missionary in the region and who was killed by fishermen using boat hooks. The moon and star are symbols for Mary; the cross probably also symbolises St. Adalbertus. The mitre in the upper part symbolises the fact that the city was ruled by the Bishops of Lebus since the 13th century. The H. Mary and St. Adalbertus are the patron saints of the diocese of Lebus. The chapter of the cathedral in Lebus used a similar seal with the boat hooks. The oldest seal shows in the upper part an unknown figure (the seal was actually lost during the Second World War), but the second seal of the city, known since 1556, clearly showed a mitre. In the 19th century the design of the seal was changed; the hooks were replaced by scythes and the mitre became a crown. At the time the city mainly had an agricultural character. The crown symbolised the Kings of Prussia.

This design was used by Hupp in the late 19th century as the arms of the city, and as colour of the shield blue was chosen (see image below). In the mid 20th century the colour was changed to red and the arms were officially granted with a red shield on January 24, 1992. In 2001 the city returned to the oldest known design, but with the colour as chosen by Hupp.