Darmstadt

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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

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.

Seal from around 1900	The arms shown around 1900
The arms by Hupp in the Kaffee Hag albums +/- 1925	The arms on a trade card from the late 1920s
The arms on a manhole cover	The arms on a matchbox label, 1960s