Geilenkirchen
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Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of Germany - Deutsche Wappen (Gemeindewappen/Kreiswappen) |
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GEILENKIRCHEN
State : Nordrhein-Westfalen
District (Kreis) : Heinsberg (until 1972 Selfkantkreis)
Additions : Beeck, Immendorf, Lindern, Süggerath, Teveren, Würm
Official blazon
Geteilt; oben in Blau ein halber, doppelschweifiger rotbezungter und -bewehrter goldener Löwe; unten in Gold ein blauer Papagei mit rotem Schnabel und gleichfarbigen Beinen, der auf einem schwarzen Ast steht.
Origin/meaning
The new(right) arms were granted on November 29, 1972.
The arms are derived from the oldest seal of the city, which dates from 1556 and which was made by Duke Wilhelm V of Jülich. The lion in the upper part is the lion of Heinsberg in the colours of Jülich. The two tails indicate the origin as the lion of Heinsberg.
The origin of the bird in the lower part is not known. The collar and branch are not historical, but are added in the 19th century.
The colours were changed after the merger of 1972, the meaning of the new colours I don't know.
 Seal from around 1900 |
 The arms in the Kaffee Hag albums +/- 1925 |
Literature : Stadler, K. : Deutsche Wappen - Bundesrepublik Deutschland. Angelsachsen Verlag, 1964-1971, 8 volumes.