Celle

CELLE

State : Niedersachsen
District (Kreis) : Celle (until 1973 a free Urban District (Kreisfreie Stadt))
Additions : 1939: Altenhäusen, Klein Hehlen, Neuenhäusen, Vorwerk, Wietzenbruch; 1973: Altencelle, Altenhagen, Alvern, Bostel, Boye, Burg, Garßen, Groß Hehlen, Hustedt, Lachtehausen, Ohe, Scheuen, Westercelle

Official blazon

German	In Blau eine mit Zinnen versehene silberne Mauer, auf der drei Türme mit roten Dächern stehen. In der schwarzen Toröffnung ist ein schräggelehntes goldenes Schildchen angeordnet, darin ein aufrechter, von sieben roten Herzen umgebener blauer Löwe.
English	blazon wanted

Origin/meaning

Celle received city rights in 1248 and the oldest seal dates from the same time. It showed a city wall, with in the gate the complete arms of the Dukes of Lüneburg. In 1310 the seals only showed the arms at such in the gate, not with the helmet and crest with two peacock feathers. As arms the composition is known since the end of the 16^th century. The small hearts, taken from the arms of Denmark, were added in the 18^th century.

In the 19th century the city was granted large arms; with mantling, helmet and crest. These arms are still sometimes used by the city and are shown below.

In the Kaffee Hag albums of the early 20^th century the arms were shown in a rather different composition, as seen in the image below.

The municipal stamp shown in 1892	Seal from around 1900
The arms by Hupp in the Kaffee Hag albums +/- 1925	The arms in the Abadie albums
Municipal stationery, 1960s	The arms in the city (source)
The arms in the city (source)

Literature: Stadler, 1964-1971, 8 volumes; Kaffee Hag picture albums, 1920s.