Darmstadt

DARMSTADT

State : Hessen
Urban District (Kreisfreie Stadt) : Darmstadt
Additions : 1888 Bessungen; 1937 Eberstadt; 1938 Arheilgen; 1977 Wixhausen
Boroughs that were no separate municipality: Kranichstein

Official blazon

German	Im von Gold und Blau geteilten Schild oben ein wachsender, blaubewehrterroter Löwe, unten eine silberne Lilie.
English	blazon wanted

Origin/meaning

The arms of Darmstadt are based on the old seals of the city, which already showed a lion and a fleur-de-lis. The lion is the lion of the counts of Katzenelnbogen. The fleur-de-lis is a very common symbol for towns and villages in this former county. On top of the shield the Grand-Ducal coronet of Hessen may be placed.

In former times the partition line was covered by a bar, on which were placed silver balls. This was supposedly derived from the arms of the oldest Lords of Darmstadt (13-15^th century). In 1479 the town and surrounding area, being part of Katzenelnbogen, became part of Hessen.

The present arms were granted in 1917 and the colours were based on those on a stone dating from the 15^th century. Currently the city uses again the crown on the shield, but for every day purposes the crown is omitted.

The arms in a 16th century manuscript	The arms in a manuscript from +/- 1730
The arms in the Wappen-Sammlung (+/- 1910)
Seal from around 1900	The arms shown around 1900
The arms in a German album +/- 1910	The arms on a trade card from the late 1920s
The arms by Hupp in the Kaffee Hag albums +/- 1925	The arms in the Abadie albums
The arms on a manhole cover	The arms on a matchbox label +/- 1960

Literature: Stadler, 1964-1971, 8 volumes.

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