Franconian Rake
The Franconian Rake () is the name given to the coat of arms of the region of Franconia in Germany. It is described heraldically as "per fess dancetty of three points gules and argent". The points represent a stylised heraldic rake. Design and use. The Franconian Rake is an heraldic ordinary with a simple zig-zag line of partition that divides the escutcheon or shield into red and silver fields. This simple and regionally widespread symbol was first officially recognised as the Franconian coat of arms in 1804 when Prince Elector Maximilian IV Joseph incorporated it into the Bavarian  coat of arms. The colour "Franconian red" () used for the coat of arms is HKS no. 14. The shape of the rake represents the holism of heaven and earth and was thus used by church bodies, such as the Bishopric of Würzburg, as a seal or in their coats of arms. Its three upward or heaven-facing points symbolise the Trinity of God, while its four downward or earthward-facing points represent the four points of the compass on earth. The present name of the Franconian Rake derives from its appearance, which superficially resembles a flotsam filter or "flotsam rake