Hamburg

Large arms Middle arms Small arms	HAMBURG Country: Germany State: Hamburg Additions: 1937 Altenwerder 1937 Altona 1889 Ottensen 1937 Bergedorf 1937 Bergstedt 1937 Billstedt 1937 Bramfeld 1937 Cranz 1937 Curslack 1937 Duvenstedt 1937 Finkenwerder (partly) 1937 Fischbek 1937 Francop 1937 Gut Moor 1937 Harburg-Wilhelmsburg 1927 Harburg 1927 Wilhelmsburg 1937 Hummelsbüttel 1937 Langenhorn 1937 Lemsahl-Mellingstedt 1937 Lohbrügge 1937 Lokstedt 1937 Marmstorf 1937 Neuenfelde 1937 Neugraben 1937 Neuland 1937 Poppenbüttel 1937 Preußisch Kirchwerder 1937 Rahlstedt 1937 Rönneburg 1937 Sasel 1937 Sinstorf 1937 Steilshoop 1937 Wandsbek 1937 Wellingsbüttel Loading map... {"minzoom":false,"maxzoom":false,"mappingservice":"leaflet","width":"250px","height":"250px","centre":false,"title":"","label":"","icon":"","lines":[],"polygons":[],"circles":[],"rectangles":[],"copycoords":false,"static":false,"zoom":7,"defzoom":14,"layers":["OpenStreetMap"],"image layers":[],"overlays":[],"resizable":false,"fullscreen":false,"scrollwheelzoom":true,"cluster":false,"clustermaxzoom":20,"clusterzoomonclick":true,"clustermaxradius":80,"clusterspiderfy":true,"geojson":"","clicktarget":"","imageLayers":[],"locations":[{"text":"","title":"","link":"","lat":53.54849999999999710098563809879124164581298828125,"lon":9.998400000000000176214598468504846096038818359375,"icon":""}],"imageoverlays":null}

Origin/meaning

Hamburg developed around a small fortress, used by the people as a refuge in the early Middle Ages (6^th-9^th century). In 831 an Archishop of Hamburg was mentioned, in 835 already an Archbishop. It is not quite sure when the village became a city, probably in the early 12^th century.
In 1188 the new-city or Neustadt was founded by Count Adolf of Schauenburg-Holstein. In 1215 the two cities were united under the counts of Holstein, and since 1461 the Kings of Denmark. Although the Kings of Denmark were the official overlords, the city was practically independent.

The oldest known seal dates from 1241, on which is shown a castle made of three towers. The cross on the middle tower as well as the two stars are already present. The middle tower could thus indicate the largest church, the Holy Mary Church. The stars are aslo a common symbol for the St. Mary. All other seals of the city show the castle, the shape, however, differs between the seals. On some smaller 13^th -14^th century seats the castle is standing on a river and the stars are replaced by a half-moon (crescent). The castle also appears on coins minted in the 13^th century.

Image gallery

The seal of Hamburg in 1241
The seal of Hamburg in 1254
The seal of Hamburg in 1309
The seal of Hamburg in 1318
The seal of Hamburg in 1554
The seal of Hamburg in 1743
The arms around 1500
The arms in a manuscript from 1514
The arms in a 16th century manuscript
The arms in a 17th century manuscript
The arms in the Wapen- en Vlaggenboek van Gerrit Hesman (1708)
Seal of Hamburg around 1900-1920
Seal of Hamburg around 1900-1920
Seal of Hamburg around 1900-1920

In 1510 the city became an Imperial city, in 1618 a free city (which Denmark did not recognize until 1768). In 1815 Hamburg joined the German Empire, and since 1919 it is one of the states of Germany.

In Napoleonic times the colours were inverted (a red castle on a silver shield), as the addition of a red chief with the golden bees (the symbol of a city of the first order) did not fit with a red shield.

Wappen von Hamburg/Coat of arms (crest) of Hamburg

Arms of Hamburg during Napoleonic times (granted 13-06-1811)

The whole arms as they are now were first used officially in 1695 and were officially granted in 1835. The only municipality is Hamburg, after the merger of 33 municipalities in 1937.

The helmet with the the feathers already appeared in the 16^th century and are derived from the counts of Holstein. The lions appeared in the 17^th century.

As far as known the colours have always been a silver castle on a red shield.

Image gallery

The great arms (Gaedechens, 1855)
The great arms from around 1900 by Ströhl
The arms by Hupp in the Kaffee Hag albums +/- 1925
The arms from around +/- 1925
The arms on a British cigarette card, +/- 1906
The arms from around +/- 1920
The arms on a postcard, +/- 1900
The arms from around +/- 1920
Postal cancellation, 1956
The arms on a matchbox label, 1960s
The arms in the Wappen-Sammlung (1900)
The arms in the Abadie albums
The arms in a 1930s album
The arms in a German album +/- 1910
The arms in a 1936 album
The arms on a matchbox label
The arms in an album from 1968

The arms in the city

(more images wanted, if you have an image of the arms in the city, please contact me):

Image gallery

The arms on the Elbe-bridge
The arms 'Auf dem Sande'
(image Florian Quandt)
The arms on the city hall
(image Florian Quandt)
The arms on a post office
(image Florian Quandt)
The arms on a courthouse
The arms on a manhole cover

The arms on coins of the city

(images from auction sites)

Image gallery

The arms on a coin, 1638
The arms on a coin, 1727
The arms on a coin, 1794
The arms on a coin, 1910

Literature: Stadler, 1964-1971, 8 volumes; Gaedechens, 1855

This page is part of the German heraldry portal Deutsche Wappensammlung	Heraldry of the World
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