Borken (Nordrhein-Westfalen)

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BORKEN

State : Nordrhein-Westfalen
District (Kreis) : Borken
Additions : 1969 Amt Gemen-Weseke, Amt Marbeck-Raesfeld (partly), Borkenwirthe, Gemen, Grütlohn, Hoxfeld, Hovesath, Kirchspiel Gemen, Marbeck, Rhedebrügge, Weseke, Westenborken

Official blazon

(de) In Silber eine rote Befestigung mit doppelter silberner Toröffnung in zinnengekrönter Mauer und drei Türmen, von denen der mittlere eine silberne Fensterrose in Form eines Vierpasses zeigt und mit einer in einen Knopf auslaufenden Kuppel bedeckt ist, während die beiden seitlichen einen Zinnenkranz tragen

Origin/meaning

The arms of Borken were granted on June 24, 1910 and again on April 22, 1970.

The arms are based on the oldest known seal of Borken, dating from 1250. Later seals show the same compostion, as is seen on the example below. In the 16th century a small letter B is added to the castle, probably to distinguish the seal from similar seals of other cities. The city wall was added in the 17^th century.The castle is a common symbol used in the Middle Ages by cities on their seals, but for Borken it is also a canting symbol; the name is derived from Burke, or castle. The colours are historical and have been used for centuries, their original meaning is no longer known.