Stormarn
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Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of Germany - Deutsche Wappen (Gemeindewappen/Kreiswappen) |
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STORMARN (OD)
State : Schleswig-Holstein
Origin/meaning :
The arms were granted on March 27, 1947, but have been used much longer.
The swan as arms for the county Stormarn first appears in the arms of Prince Johann of Denmark in the end of the 15th century. The county belonged to the Duchy of Holstein, a possession of the Danish Kings. Ever since all rulers over the area used the swan as symbol for Stormarn.
The arms can be considered canting. Stormarn comes from Stürmen and the swan is considered a 'stürmische' (attacking) bird. According to legend the swan was chosen as a symbol by Konrad von Megenberg in 1350, but there is no historical prove of this.
Literature : Stadler, K. : Deutsche Wappen - Bundesrepublik Deutschland. Angelsachsen Verlag, 1964-1971, 8 volumes.