Birstein

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

BIRSTEIN

State : Hessen
District (Kreis) : Main-Kinzig Kreis (until 1974 Gelnhausen)
Additions : 1971 Bösgesäß, Bös-Gesäß, Fischborn, Hettersroth, Kirchbracht, Oberreichenbach ; 1972, Illnhausen, Unterreichenbach, Untersotzbach; 1974 Oberland (1971 Lichenroth, Mauswinkel, Völzberg, Wüstwillenroth, Wettges), Obersotzbach

Official blazon

(de) In Silber zwei schwarze Balken, belegt mit einem blauen schräglinks laufenden Wellenbalken und rechts oben mit einem Mühlrad in verwechselten Farben mit 16 Schaufeln.

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on ??

The two black bars are taken from the arms of the Counts of Isenburg(-Birstein), who played an important role in the local history. The wavy bend symbolises the many (small) streams in the municipality, such as the Salz, Bracht and Reichenbach. The water-mill wheel symbolises the many former water-mills in these rivers.

The 16 blades refer to the 16 villages and hamlets in the municipality.