Passau
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PASSAU
State : Bayern
Urban District (Stadtkreis) : Passau
Additions : 1870 Nikola; 1909 Haidenhof; 1972 Grubweg, Hacklberg, Hals (1922 Ries), Heining
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| English | No blazon/translation known. Please click here to send your (heraldic !) blazon or translation |
Origin/meaning
The arms show the wolf, taken from the arms of the Bishops and the State of Passau. The oldest known seals of the city date from the 14th century and show St. Stephanus sitting on a throne. In front of him there is a small shield with the wolf. From 1460 onwards the wolf is used as a single symbol on seals and in the arms of the city. The first time the wolf is mentioned as the arms of the city is older, from 1402. In the Roll of Arms from Arlberg the arms are shown as they are today.
In the 16th century a helmet and crest were added. The crest shows an arm holding a stone, the symbol of St. Stephanus. These are not very often used.
Similarly, to distinguish the arms of city and State, in 1605 a blue bend was added, but this addition was soon after removed again.
 The arms in the late 15th century |
 The arms in a manuscript +/- 1530 |
 The arms in a manuscript 1550-1700 |
 The arms in a 16th century manuscript |
 The arms by Tyroff (1835) |
 Seal from around 1900 |
 The arms in the Abadie albums |
 The arms by Hupp in the Kaffee Hag albums +/- 1925 |
 The arms on a 1960s matchox label |
Literature: Stadler, 1964-1971, 8 volumes.