Homberg (Efze)

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

HOMBERG (EFZE)

State : Hessen
District (Kreis) : Schwalm-Eder Kreis (until 1973 Fritzlar-Homberg (until 1932 Homberg))
Additions : 1971 Allmuthshausen (1968 Rückersfeld), Berge, Caßdorf, Dickershausen, Holzhausen bei Homberg, Hombergshausen, Hülsa, Lembach, Lützelwig, Mörshausen, Mardorf, Mühlhausen, Relbehausen, Rodemann, Roppershain, Sondheim, Steindorf, Waßmuthshausen, Welferode, Wernswig

Origin/meaning

Homberg received city rights before 1231 and the oldest known seal dates from 1246. The seal shows a lion, but colours are not known. A second seal, known since 1239 but younger in design, shows the striped lion of Hessen.

In the 14^th century the lion appears above three small mountains. This was later misinterpreted as a lion above two smaller lions. Until 1639 there were three small lions, ever since there are only two. Ever since the arms are shown as such.

In the early 16^th century the city also used a coat of arms not based on the seal. The shield showed three trefoils, but was hardly used after the early 16^th century.