Aken (Elbe)
 |
Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of Germany - Deutsche Wappen (Gemeindewappen/Kreiswappen) |
|
AKEN (ELBE)
State : Sachsen-Anhalt
District (Kreis) : Anhalt-Bitterfeld (until 2007 Köthen)
Origin/meaning :
Aken was founded in the 13th century and was mentioned as a city in 1270. The city was part of the Duchy of Sachsen until 1389 when it became part of the State of Magedeburg.
The arms show a Gothic gate, with two towers and in the middle a bishop. The gate is flanked by two small escutcheons, showing a divided shield with a Moor's head.
The arms are based on a late 14th century seal of the city. The small shields show the arms of the Archdiocese of Magdeburg with the Moor's head. The head is the symbol of St. Mauritius, the patron saint of the city. The bishop most likely is the Bishop of Magdeburg.
The city has always used the complete arms, but Hupp showed only a beheaded Moor's head as arms for the city in the Kaffee Hag albums, see image below.
 Seal of Aken from around 1900 |
 The arms in the Kaffee Hag albums +/- 1925 |
 Local emergency money showing the seal of the city, 1921 |
Literature : Bensing, et al; Lexicon Städte und Wappen der Deutschen Demokratischen Republik, Leipzig, 1985.