Somewhere In Tyme home page Denotes mortality. Thistle The thistle is an ancient heraldic emblem of pain and suffering. It is the royal badge of Scotland. Thunderbolt The thunderbolt is an ancient heraldic emblem of sovereignty, power and speed. It is derived from the classic mythology in which the thunderbolt is the symbol of the Roman god Jupiter, or the Greek god Zeus. See also LIGHTNING BOLT. Tiger/Tyger The tiger signifies great fierceness and valor, and dangerous when enraged to combat. It also symbolizes one whose resentment will be dangerous if aroused. The tiger depicted in heraldry was the attempt of artists to portray an animal they had never seen and knew only by repute. Consequently, the heraldic tiger had the body of a wolf with a lion's tail and a mane, powerful jaws, and a long, pointed snout. It was referred to as a tyger to differentiate it from a regular tiger. A regular tiger was referred to as a Bengal tiger. The tyger is sometimes shown staring into a mirror.

This is based on the legend that the female tyger is a fierce and protective mother but has the fault of being easily hypnotized by her own reflection, thus allowing her children to be stolen by anyone holding a mirror. Torch The torch or firebrand signifies life, truth, intelligence, knowledge, purification and love. The bearing of a torch in arms is granted to a zealous man who has performed some signal service. Torteau A torteau is the name given to a red roundle, a roundle being any circular charge of color or metal. It represents the communion wafer or the cakes of bread eaten by crusaders before long battles. Tortoise The tortoise signifies invulnerability to attack and is also symbolic of slow, but sure progress. Tower The tower is very similar to a castle in that it was often granted to one who had faithfully held a castle for his sovereign, or who had captured one by force or stratagem. It is an emblem of grandeur and society. It is also a symbol of defense and of a steadfast individual. See also CASTLE. Tree The tree is a symbol of antiquity and strength.

The oak tree was sacred to the ancient Greeks and the Celts; the lime or linden tree was sacred to the Germans and the ash tree was sacred to the Scandinavians. Trees symbolize home or property, and they are also generally considered a symbol of life and strength. Tree Trunk A tree stump or tree trunk with sprouting leaves may be used as a symbol of regrowth and rebirth. It is an object of veneration. Trefoil A trefoil, or a symbol of a three-leafed clover also known as a shamrock, represents the past, present and future. It is also often used as a symbol of fertility and abundance. According to legend, the shamrock was chosen as an emblem of Ireland because it was used by St. Patrick to explain the Holy Trinity. The shamrock also appears on some arms. See also SHAMROCK. Tressle Symbolizes hospitality. Tressure A tressure is two small borders in the outline of a shield, set close together, one within the other. The tressure symbolizes preservation or protection.

Tressure-Flory-Counterflory If the tressure is decorated with flowers that look somewhat like the fleur de lis, inserted through the tressure it is known as a tressure-flory-counterflory. This is particularly associated with Scottish heraldry as it represents the close and long term alliance between France and Scotland. Trident Ready for the fray. Unicorn The unicorn is a mythical creature that has always been known as a symbol of purity and virtue. Thus it is sometimes used as a symbol of Christ. According to legend, the unicorn's horn has the power to heal sickness and purify water. Supposedly the unicorn could only be captured and tamed by a virgin. It would sense her purity and lay its head in her lap. The heraldic unicorn is drawn with the body of a horse, the tail of a heraldic lion and the legs and feet of a deer. It is a popular symbol in heraldry; sometimes the head alone is also found. Vulture The vulture symbolizes death to ones enemies. Water Bouget Indicates one who carried water to the arms or to a besieged place. See also BOUGET. Weapons Symbolizes one who is greatly skilled in battle.

Weasel The weasel, stoat, martin, and the ermine are all very similar animals that can be found occasionally as heraldic symbols. The ermine symbolizes purity. This association comes from the legend that this small white animal preferred death to defilement. The martin is the vanguard of spring and represents one who brings good news. Whale According to legend, the whale was often mistaken for an island. Ships that anchored to its side were dragged down to destruction by a sudden plunge of the immense creature. In this way, the whale came to be used as a symbol of the Devil, and the whale's open mouth the open gates of hell. Wheat Ear Symbolize faithfulness. Wheat Sheaf The garb or wheat-sheaf, signifies plenty and commendable hospitality in the bearer. It may also mean that the harvest of the bearer's hopes is secured. Wheel In the heraldic tradition, the wheel is used as an emblem of fortune and the cycle of life. See also CATHERINE WHEEL. Wings Symbolizes swiftness and protection. Wolf The crest of a wolf has been granted to valiant captains who served loyally through long sieges or hard enterprises. It signifies valor and guardianship.

Wolves were viewed as ferocious and merciless and it was thought that they could paralyze their enemies with a look before destroying them. The bearer of this symbol was one who was dangerous to assail or thwart and a deadly enemy to have. The head of a wolf is particularly common in Scottish heraldry. Woodbill The wood-bill is an instrument used by woodsmen for cutting down trees. As a charge it is often used to represent an instrument of war and one who is prepared to use it. Woodbine More recently known as honeysuckle, it represents love that does not injure that which it clings to. Wreath They are symbolic of triumph and fame, especially when it is gained after a long, inner struggle. Sprigs of laurel and laurel branches are also common heraldic symbols. See also LAUREL WREATH. Wyvern The wyvern or wivern is a mythical beast with the upper part of a dragon, two legs and a body that curves into the tail of a serpent. It symbolizes valor and protection. Also, the wyvern was supposed to have a keen sense of sight, which enabled it to guard treasures.

The bearer of this symbol may have been a keen defender, or was thought to have slain a wyvern. It is also a symbol of vengeance or perseverance. Yale The yale is a mythical creature about the size of a horse with the face of a lion, the tusks of a boar, a goat-like body, and extremely long, goat-like horns which it could move in any direction to meet attacks. It also has a mane, a tufted spine, a tufted tail, and cloven hooves. It is a symbol of preparedness and readiness. Yarn Fusil The Bear- the symbol of Berlin | Berlin: A Divided City Berlin: A Divided City Willkommen in unserem Blog. genießen! Menu bears Berlin buddy bears mascot Berlin’s founding date is set at 1237 because that is the earliest documentary evidence that exists for the city (a handwritten document naming a bishop of Cölln). The earliest city seal in existence from 1253 didn’t feature a bear but an eagle, which was the symbol of the Margraviate of Brandenburg, an important principality of the Holy Roman Empire that included Berlin.

Then in 1280, a second city seal appeared with the Brandenburg eagle flanked by two standing bears. When Cölln and Berlin were officially merged into one city in 1709, the coat of arms featured the bear with a neck band below two eagles -red for Brandenburg and black for Prussia. By 1875, the bear had lost the neckband and gained a wall-crown, signifying Berlin’s status as a free city. But none of this explains why a bear? Unfortunately, a fire in 1380 destroyed all the documents that could have definitively answered this question -but there are some interesting theories. One is that the bear was chosen in homage to Albrecht the Bear, founder of the Margraviate of Brandenburg in 1157. This would have been about the time that Berlin was first settled, but then why did the first city seal feature the Brandenburg eagle and not a bear? The settlement was probably not important enough at that time to get its own mascot.

Another theory is that the bear was chosen to create a canting or singing arms, because the German word “Bär” (bear) sounds phonetically similar to the first syllable of Berlin. But linguists have shot down this theory having found no etymological connections between the two words. In fact, Berlin was settled by Slavs so the prefix “Ber” may have nothing to do with German. There is however an old-Slavic word “berli” that describes a rigid net submerged in the water to catch swarms of fish. It could be that the first settlers built plenty of berlis in the Spree, and that they themselves became known to others as the “Berline,” thus spawning the name Berlin. While the latter seems the most plausible origin of the name, it doesn’t explain the connection to the bear. Whatever the reason, the Berlin Bear remains. The bear pit behind the museum was built as a present to the people of Berlin on the city’s 700th birthday. Today’s coat of arms still has these features. The Bear still stands proud as the city symbol and mascot, and appears on its flag. There are living “city bears” in the middle of the city, in Köllnischen Park.

They live in what is called “the bear pit” (Bärenzwinger). The Buddy Bears The story of the Buddy Bears started with an artistic event in Berlin in 2001. Inspired by the idea of bringing art in the streets of a metropolis like the cow parade in Zurich and New York, the initiators of the Buddy Bears, Klaus und Eva Herlitz, decided to start a street art project in Berlin. It was quickly agreed that a bear would be the ideal sculpture for the backdrops of the German metropolis. The bear – Berlin’s heraldic animal with a high level of public appeal – was envisaged to capture the hearts of Berliners and their guests in various different designs. Two master students of the famous Berlin University of the Arts realised the first Buddy Bear. Anne and Roman Strobel – two friends of the Herlitz family – designed the siblings of the first Buddy Bear. Only a few months later, the initial Buddy Bear was ready for the first public appearance in Berlin. A new Berlin star was born! And the story began – a story nowadays travelling around the world! Over the following weeks, more than 100 bears were created.

As from 20th June 2001, they were presented in different locations all over the city. The project was a great success that we mainly owe to the fantastic artists who gave each individual bear a unique identity. The bears were visible all over Berlin, attracting thousands of delighted looks. Nowadays, the bears have become an integral part of Berlin’s cityscape and travel around the world on their global tour.In addition to the Classic Buddy Bears presented far beyond Berlin’s city limits, the circle of United Buddy Bears came into being in 2002. Each bear in the circle represents a country acknowledged by the United Nations. The United Buddy Bears travel around the world promoting tolerance and international understanding – always standing together hand in hand. (Eva Spirova) Doig Family Crests and Coats of Arms Doig Crests and Coats of Arms . DOIG FAMILY CRESTS AND COATS OF ARMS Prepared by Kerr Doig (Scotland), Dr. Suzanne Doig (New Zealand), and Ken Doig (California) . The right to bear Scottish Coat of Arms is hereditary, although one not an heir can acquire their own arms.

The general rules may be found at A Note on Scots Heraldry and The Heraldry Society of Scotland . If you require more detail try A Glossary of Terms Used in Heraldry . The Lord Lyon determines who is entitled to a Coat of Arms. The following is a reconstruction of the Dog/Doeg/Doge/Dogge/Doig crests and coats of arms. These are arms of the Dogs of the Vale of Menteith in Kilmadock and Kincardine parishes in Perthshire, but the origin of the Dogge with three fishes requires more research. The handwriting presents the double problem of heraldic terms and an early script, so some words are uncertain. Click some photos to enlarge Earliest Doig Coat of Arms John Dog of yt Ilk registered a coat of arms in 1468 (Lord Lyon's records, Ref. FAL224), described as: Gules, a chevron Argent between two cinquefoils in chief Ermine and a sword erect in base Argent. DOG OF THE ILK Doig Coat of Arms at 43 Perry Street, Greenwich Village, New York City, located below the roof line.

The building was built in 1850 and renovated in 1967, the crest thought to be added during the renovation. To see original article click HERE . Click photo to enlarge Gravestones The elements of coats of arms appear on early Dog graves in the Kilmadock Kirkyard . Note the shape of the shields and the consistent use of a sword and dagger. No Illustration Moray S. Mackay, Doune Historical Notes, (Stirling: Forth Naturalist and Historian, 1953), p. 48 reports: "What has been taken to be the oldest of the [Dog] stones, and the one on which the Christian name Thomas was deciphered fifty or more years ago, is shaped like a quadrangular coffin lid, the foot being narrower than the head. It shows a tall cross on a plinth of two steps with leaf-like ornament at the ends of the arms and at the top. To the viewer's right of the cross there is a long sword, pointing downward, with the guards of the hilt also pointing down. To the left, there is a dagger, less than half the length of the sword, with curved guards.

The inscription round the edge of the stone is much worn, and has been the subject of many guesses in the past." [This may be Sir Thomas Dog (c.1400-c.1478), Prior of Inchmahome.] Margrate Cunnyghame (c.1549-1618), spouse to Paul Dog of Dunrobin (c.1535-c.1628). Dagger and sword. James Dog (1551/2-1620), Elder of Ballengrew, Mair of Fie, and Chamberlain of Menteith. Sword and dagger. The initials are probably JD. [Walter] Dog (1564/5-1631), Portioner of Murdieston. Sword and Dagger. The initials are probably WD. Jacobus Dog Jr. (1590/1-1619), son of Jacobus Dog Sr. of Dunrobin (c.1564-1634). Dagger, sword, and [?]. The initials are probably JD. Plaque in gated enclosure in the Kilmadock Kirkyard .

John Drummond (c.1632-1692) and Elizabeth Dog (c.1638-1689). John was the son of Harie (Harold) Drummond, 8th Laird of Deanston, and Helen Atcheson. Elizabeth was the daughter of David Dog of Ballengrew and Marion Dog. The Dog coat of arms is on the right with the sword, Calvary cross, dagger, and initials of Elizabeth Dog. 1710 Sketches The following are from a letter from William Govane of Drumquhassle urging John Doig, merchant and sometime Provost of Brechin (c.1653-1727), to assume the designation of Dog of Dunrobin, "that ancient and honourable family," and enclosing five sketches of Coats of Arms of various branches of the Dog family - dated 16 March 1710. Dog of Dunrobin gules within a border argent a cheveron of the second betwixt two sinquefoyles of the second in chief and in base a dager propper or.

[Red within a silver border, chevron between two cinquefoils at the top, and below a gold dagger, point up.] Dog of Balengrew gules a cheveron argent betwixt two sinquefoyles of the second in chief and in base a dager propper or. with a helmet setting his degree and a dere flying above a wrath with this motto in the escroll: Diligentia ditat. [Red with silver chevron between two cinquefoils at the top and below a gold dagger point up, with a helmet "setting his degree" and a "dere" (Falcon) flying above a wreath with this motto in the scroll: Diligentia ditat (diligence enriches, or frugality).] Paul Dog of Balengrew who was sone [son] to the ... heretrex of Gartencaber. Or upon a pale argent a cros croslet betwxt a dager impropper sable on the dexter and sword improper sable on the sinister and for motto by virteu I won them and by honnor I keep them.

[Gold background on the left and right with silver in the center one third, black cross-crosslet between a black dagger, point down, on the right, and black sword, point down, on the left, and for motto "By virtue I won them and by honor I keep them."] Note: The sword and dagger appear to be reversed in the sketch, and the cross-crosslet appears with a stepped base like a cross-calvary. Alternately, from William Nimmo, The History of Stirlingshire, (Glasgow: Morrison, 1880), Chapter XXVI: James [Macfarlane] married Mary Keith, daughter to John Keith, younger son to the Earl Marischal, by whom he had Hugh, his successor, who married Elizabeth Doig, daughter, and ultimately sole heiress to Paul Doig of Ballingrew, a very ancient Perthshire family. Hugh, by this marriage, had, besides William his heir, a numerous issue both of sons and daughters. The armorial bearing of the family is ... for Doig of Ballingrew; crest, a demi-savage proper, holding in his right hand a sheaf of arrows, and pointing with his left hand to an imperial crown, or.

Motto – "This I’ll defend." Dog of Dunrobin bears gules au chevron argent two cinquefoils in chief wt sword in base. [Red field with a silver chevron and two cinquefoils in top position with a sword below.] Doge of Menteif [Menteith] incumberant, Argent a rache passant collared Or, on a chief Gules a rose between two lozenges Argent". A rache is probably a Ratch-hound or Beagle as they are known today. The 'incumberant' would indicate that the Doig was a tenant or possibly the Minister of the local church. [Translation and illustration by Anthony Maxwell] Sketches of above Coat of Arms . Designs from a coffee cup and silk patch .. Burke, John, Encyclopædia of Heraldry, (London: Bohn, 1844): Doeg. Gu. a chev. betw. two cinquefoils in chief and a sword paleways in base ar. Crest – a hand holding a thistle. Motto – Malo mori quam fœdari.

[I would rather die than be disgraced.] Doge (Doge, Scotland). Gu a chev. ar. betw. two roses or, and a cross pattée of the second. [Red with a silver chevron between two roses (cinquefoils) and a spreading cross below.] ---------------------- Burke, Sir Bernard, The General Armory, (London: Harrison, 1884): Doeg (Ballingrew). Gu. a chev. ar. betw. two cinquefoils erm. in chief and a sword paleways in base of the second. Doeg (Scotland). Gu. a chev. betw. two chinquefoils in chief and a sword paleways in base ar. hilted and pommelled or. . -----, The Book of Family Crests, (London: Washbourne, 1856): Doeg, a hand holding a thistle. Doig, a falcon, wings expanded and inverted, belled, ppr. Click to enlarge Registered coat of arms. See DOIGF . George Kerr Doig Dunfermline, Scotland Registered coat of arms. See JOHN1751 .

The location of this Doig family is uncertain. From the third entry below it may belong to the Dodds family and be misallocated to Dogge. Burke, John, Encyclopædia of Heraldry, (London: Bohn, 1844): Dogge. Vert, three fishes haurient or, spotted gu. Burke, Sir Bernard, The General Armory, (London: Harrison, 1884): Dogge. Vert three fishes haurient or, spotted gu. [Green; three gold fishes placed upright, spotted red.] The General Armory, The General Armory: Dabbins-Dyxton, Page 289 Dod, Dods, Dodds, or Dogge. Vert three dogfishes ar. Crest – Two hands conjoined, one in armour grasping another ppr. Both couped, supporting a branch of palm and a thistle. To check: Doeg – Quartered by McFarlan [Bolton's American Armory, Page 49]. Doig is listed as a sept of Clan Drummond. You may visit the website HERE .

Prepared by Kenneth Frank Doig, Bass Lake, California, ken@doig.net Ancestral ROLL Family - German, Russian, and ROLL Family Heraldry German, Russian, and ROLL Family Heraldry | German STATE Heraldry | German CITY Heraldry | Swiss Heraldry | Russian Heraldry | ROLL-Related Family Heraldry ] German STATE Coat of Arms GERMAN STATE'S COAT OF ARMS - An old image showing the German National Arms between the arms of the former West German States and their predecessors : small shield from top left (year of oldest picture): Hamburg (1450), Bremen (1369), Braunschweig-Grubenhagen (1390), Berlin (1460), Hessen (1247), Bayern (1302), Schwaben (1216), Saarbr�cken (1284), Rheinpfalz (1252), Westfalen (1480) and Schleswig-Holstein (1386); Main shield: Hamburg, Bremen, Niedersachsen, Berlin, Hessen, Bayern, Baden-W�rttemberg, Saarland, Rhe

inland-Pfalz, Nordrhein-Westfalen and Schleswig-Holstein.

Germany is divided in States (L�nder). These states are subdivided in Landkreise or Rural districts, which are made up of municipalities (Gemeinden) and Kreisfreie St�dte, or cities. In some states municipalities are combined into �mter and Grossgemeinden (larger bodies, but the individual municipalities still exist). Source: Heraldik aus 9 Jahrhunderten - zur Geschichte des Familienwappens. GERMAN NATIONAL COAT OF ARMS - The present arms were officially adopted on January 20, 1950. The German eagle is already an old national symbol for the Kings and Emperors of Germany, or its predecessors (to make it easy, the former Empire is named Germany below, even though the name was not officially used until 1871). Even though Charlemagne used an eagle as the national symbol around 800, he claimed to be the successor of the Roman Emperors, who already used an eagle, it was not until the end of the 12th century that the eagle was used in arms of the Emperors.

Before the end of the 12th century the eagle sometimes appears as the national symbol, but mainly shown as a natural eagle. The first known use of the eagle as arms of the Emperor or the Empire is a coin, minted in Maastricht (now in the Netherlands), dating from between 1172 and 1190. It shows a single-headed eagle. The use of an eagle was not limited to the German Emperors, at the same time the Counts of Saarwerden and Henneberg, the Kings of Bohemia, the Dukes of Austria and others used an eagle in their arms or as their symbol. In the 13th and 14th century many other noble families also used an eagle. The Imperial Eagle was also used by all free cities, throughout the empire, examples are Mosbach, Aalen and, outside present Germany, Deventer. The colors of the Imperial Eagle are already known from the 13th century, as being a black eagle on a golden field. These colors are thus also used by practically all Imperial cities. The origin of the colors is not known.

It may be derived from the colors of the Staufen dynasty, who were the ruling dynasty at the time the arms were adopted. In any case, the basic colors have not changed since. The claws, legs, beak and tongue gradually became red. The first mentioning of red legs date from the early 14th century. The Z�rich roll of arms from 1335 also shows a red tongue. The beak does not become red until the 18th century. Completely black eagles appear at the same time during the centuries. The arms were covered by a crowned helmet with an eagle as a crest until 1330. In 1330, under the reign of Ludwig of Bavaria, the eagle in the crest was replaced by the wings of the Wittelsbach family (his dynasty). These remained until the 15th century. Afterwards crests are rarely used. The original arms showed a single-headed eagle. Germany was an Empire, but after the death of an Emperor first a nobleman was chosen as King of Germany. He could be promoted to Emperor, but that did not always happen.

Gradually thus two different arms appeared, a single-headed eagle for the Kings and a double-headed eagle for the Empire and the Emperor. The first mentioning of a double-headed eagle dates from 1250 in a roll of arms of Matthew of Paris for Emperor Friedrich II. In the next 180 years both arms were used indiscriminately. Emperor Sigismund finally decided the difference between the arms for the King and the Emperor. The arms according to Matthew of Paris, 1250. The double-headed eagle was used as the arms of the Empire ever since. The emperors themselves often used the eagle as a supporter for their own personal arms. An example is given below where the arms of the Emperor (Charles IV ?) are placed on the eagle. Above the eagle the Imperial crown is seen, the chain is from the Order of the Golden Fleece. This composition is also used by Imperial cities, such as Middelburg. Arms of an Emperor from the end of the 15th century. In 1871 Germany finally became a true State, instead of a loose combination of (hundreds of) states and territories. The new Imperial Arms were basically a combination of older traditions.

As the rank of King was no longer used, a single-headed eagle was chosen. According to custom, the arms of the ruling dynasty were added as a breast-shield. Contrary to the older custom, the eagle was no longer used as supporter, but placed on the shield again. As the ruling dynasty as the Hohenzollern family, Kings of Prussia, the new arms were held by the Prussian savages as supporters, each holding a banner with the Imperial eagle. After the First World War, the new Republic removed all Prussian symbols, and used a plain single-headed eagle. The arms are identical as the present arms. The national symbol during the Nazi reign. During the Nazi reign, the old heraldic arms were completely removed. The new national symbol, the swastika, was now held by a stylistic eagle. Even though the national state did not use arms, it was encouraged for local councils to adopt heraldic arms. The national symbol of the GDR. After the Second World War Germany was divided into Western Germany and the German Democratic Republic. West Germany continued to use the old arms of the Republic. The GDR did not use any arms, but a typical socialist logo.

After the reunification, the old West German arms were continued. Source: Stadler, K. : Deutsche Wappen - Bundesrepublik Deutschland. THE ARMS OF THE GRAND-DUCHY OF BADEN (1830-1918). - Baden was a County in South-Western Germany. From 1806-1914 it was a Grand-Duchy and between 1918 and 1933 a semi-independent Free-State. Since 1945 it is a State of the German Federal Republic. In 1952 it was combined with W�rttemberg-Baden and S�dw�rttemberg-Hohenzollern to Baden-W�rttemberg. The Viscounts of Baden are descendents of the Z�hringer dynasty, that were named after the castle Z�hringen near Gundelfingen. They named themselves in the beginning of the 12th century after the castle Baden, in the present city of Baden-Baden. The original arms of the Z�hringer dynasty was a red eagle on gold. Whether the Counts of Baden have used this eagle is not clear.

In any case, from the beginning of the 13th century the red bend is used as the arms of Baden. The meaning or origin of this bend is not known. As crest two buffalo horns are used. In the 16th century the arms were enlarged with two griffins as supporters. A little later the Baden arms followed the German tradition in adding different quarters of acquired territories. At first the Baden arms were placed on a quartered shield of Badenweiler, R�tteln, Badisch-Breisgau and Neuenburg (now Neuch�tel in Switzerland). The latter was replaced in 1580 by the wing of the Lordship Sausenberg. At the end of the 18th century the number of fields had increased to 18. After the creation of the new Grand-Duchy of Baden, the tradition continued. The new arms from 1807 were a heraldic monster : The actual arms of the Grand-Duchy were a shield divided per bend sinister of purpure and red. In the upper part (on the purpure field) a gold bend was placed, in the lower red field a golden lion.

The actual arms of Baden red on gold were thus replaced by gold on purpure. The division red and pupure is against the heraldic rule of color. The lion should represent the lion of Z�hringen, for which is no historical evidence. The main shield thus contained three errors! These arms were placed as an escutcheon on the mainshield, which consisted of 29 fields. These represented 13 wordly territories (Baden, Hochberg, Kurpfalz, Breisgau, Sausenebrg, Eberstein, R�tteln, Mahlberg, Badenweiler, Lahr-Geroldseck, Bonndorf, Hauenstein and Hanau-Lichtenberg), 9 former territories that belonged to monasteries or bishop-states (Bruchsal, Ettenheim, Konstanz, Gengenbach, Odenheim, Salem, Petershausen, Reichenau, �hringen), the cross of the German Order and the Order of Malta as these also used to have possessions in the new Grand-Duchy, as well as 5 arms of cities (Offenburg, Konstanz, �berlingen, Pfullendorf and Villingen).

If not enough, the main shield was surrounded by the arms of 10 more territories, each crowned with the proper crown : F�rstenberg, Heiligenberg, Tengen, Klettgau, Hagenau, Neudenau-Billigheim, Krautheim, Wertheim, D�rn and Leiningen-Mosbach. Finally, these arms were held by a griffin and a lion (for Z�hringen) as supporters and crowned by the Grand-Ducal crown. The whole could be placed on a mantle. In 1830 these very complicated arms were replaced by the arms above; a simple shield with the historical arms of Baden, with two griffins as supporters and the chains of the Orders of which the Grand-Dukes were members. These arms were used until 1918. The new Free-state removed the chains and mantle, but otherwise the arms were the same. From 1945-1952 only the shield was used, without crown and supporters.

The arms of Baden are used in many civic arms of towns and municipalities, such as Baden-Baden, Durmersheim, Eichstetten, Emmendingen, Eppingen, Ettlingen, Malterdingen, Neuenburg, Pforzheim, Sasbach, Schopfheim and many more. Outside Germany the arms appear in the arms of Vichten in Luxembourg. Source: Stadler, K. : Deutsche Wappen - Bundesrepublik Deutschland. THE STATE OF BADEN-WURTTEMBERG COAT OF ARMS - The State of Baden-W�rttemberg was created in 1952 by merging the three states that were formed after the second world war : Baden, S�dw�rttemberg-Hohenzollern (see W�rttemberg) and W�rttemberg-Baden. Historically the State comprises the territories of Baden, W�rttemberg, Hohenzollern and parts of Franken and the Pfalz. It also includes the former Austrian territories in the Schwarzwald (Black Forest). The arms show the three lions of the Dukes of Schwaben form the house of Staufen.

On the shield is placed a popular crown, which is covered by the arms of former territories that now form the State of Baden-W�rttemberg. From (heraldic) right to left these are :(Ost-)Franken (Franconia), Hohenzollern, Baden, W�rttemberg, Pfalz and Austria. As supporters a deer and a griffin, taken from the arms of W�rttemberg and Baden respectively are used. The arms were granted in 1956. Schwaben is an area that forms large part of the present State. It was used as a neutral alternative to the arms of Baden or W�rttemberg. The princes of Schwaben were one of the most important German dynasties in the Middle Ages, as can be seen from the fact that most Kings and Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire between 1138 and 1254 were of the Staufen dynasty, the ruling family in Schwaben. The (then) Dukes of Staufen ruled in the early Middle Ages most of what is now the State of Baden-W�rttemberg.

The dynasty as well as the duchy were abolished in the middle of the 13th century due to the changed political climate. The three lions, however, were still used as a symbol for the territory. They first appear again in the arms of the new Kingdom of W�rttemberg in 1806. The oldest known seal with a lion dates from 1186 on the seal of Duke Friedrich V of Hohenstaufen. Twenty years later the Dukes already used three lions as arms. The colors were probably already black on gold, but the oldest colored images date after the decline of the dynasty. Source: Stadler, K. : Deutsche Wappen - Bundesrepublik Deutschland. THE STATE OF RHINELAND-PFALZ COAT OF ARMS - The arms were granted on May 10, 1948. The arms are a combination of the lion of the Pfalz, the wheel of Mainz and the cross of Trier. The major part of the present State belonged to either the Pfalz or the bishops of Trier or Mainz.

The lion of the Pfalz is the lion of the Staufen family, who used the lion in their arms for the Pfalz. The family ruled the County (later Principality) of the Pfalz from the 11th century until 1214. In 1214 Ludwig I of Bayern (Bavaria) came into possession of the Pfalz. He adapted the lion as the symbol for the Pfalz and the lion still forms part of the arms of Bayern. The lion is crowned, to symbolise the special rights of the Princes of the Pfalz as chairman of the council that decided on the appointment of the new emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. The lion can also be seen in many civic arms from towns in the Pfalz. Trier was a major city in the area. In the 3rd century a Bishop of Trier was appointed, who in the 8th century became an Archbishop. The diocese had many possessions between the Saar area and the Rhine, mainly along the Mosel river and in the Eifel mountains. The State of Trier existed until 1803 when all wordly possessions of the church were abolished.

The patron saint of Trier is St. Peter (see also the arms ofthe city of Trier), and the old seals of the State show the keys as his symbol. The cross first appears on seals of Archbishop Heinrich von Finstingen in 1273. Later archbishops all used the cross, sometimes combined with the keys. The colors were first mentioned in the Codex Balduini Trevirensis, dating from around 1340. The cross of Trier can also be seen in many civic arms from the area. The history for the wheel of Mainz is similar to the cross of Trier. Mainz became a bishopric in 550 and an archbishopric around 800. The archbishops of Mainz also played a major role in the appointment of the new emperor. The bishops owned large possessions in the present states of Rheinland-Pfalz, Hessen and Bayern. The State of Mainz also existed until 1803. The arms with the two wheels combined with a cross, appear at the end of the 13th century in the seal of Bishop Sigfried III.

The Z�rich Roll of Arms from 1335 shows for the bishops of Mainz a banner with a white cross, with in each upper corner a white wheel. The banner of Mainz from the Z�rich Roll of Arms. From 1340 onwards the arms show a single wheel on a red shield. In the 13th century a Bishop's hat was added, but it was later removed. The origin of the wheel is not qute known, it has been explained as the wheel of the carriage of God in the prophecy of Ezechiel, or as a germanic solar wheel. Source: Stadler, K. : Deutsche Wappen - Bundesrepublik Deutschland. ARMS OF THE KINGDOM OF W�RTTEMBERG (1817-1922) - W�rttemberg was at first a small County in the south-western corner of present Germany, between Esslingen and Cannstadt. The counts became more and more influential and were promoted to Dukes of W�rttemberg in 1495. In 1806 the territory became the Kingdom of W�rttemberg.

After the first world war the Kingdom lost its independence and became a semi-independent Free-state in the new Republic. After the second world war it was combined with Baden and some additional territories to the State of Baden-W�rttemberg. The original arms of W�rttemberg are three deer antlers. They are first mentioned in 1228 as the arms of count Konrad and his father Hartmann. The arms were derived from older arms of the counts of Nellenburg, that showed three blue antlers. Both the counts of Nellenburg and of W�rttemberg were related to the counts of Veringen. Hartmann of Wirtinsberc (=W�rttemberg) was married to a Countess of Veringen. At first the arms were covered by a helmet, and a peacockfeather as a crest. It is known since 1279, but may be older in origin. In the beginning of the 14th century the crest was replaced by a horn, as can be seen in the Z�rich roll of arms and the roll of arms of von der Esten.

The mantling was red and gold, and may be derived from the counts of Veringen. In the 15th century three feathers were placed in the mouth of the horn, their origin is unknown (this is still seen in the arms of Urach). In the late 15th century after the acquisition of the county M�mpelgard the arms were quartered with the three fish of M�mpelgard (see Freudenstadt). After the promotion in 1495, the new ducal arms were quartered of W�rttemberg , Teck (for the county of Teck, see Oberndorf ), and the imperial banner (see Ludwigsburg) and M�mpelgard. Consequently four helmets and crests were used; an eagle for the 'Banneramt', the old horn, a female bust with fish as arms for M�mpelgard and a dog's head for Teck. In 1693 the arms were further divided after the acquisition of the Lordship Heidenheim, incorporating the heathen's head, both on the shield and on an additional helmet.

Later 18th century additions were made for Limpurg, Justingen and B�nnigheim ,making the arms rather complicated, but typical for the baroque era. The newly formed Kingdom of W�rttemberg continued this line by adding Elwangen, Schw�bisch Hall and T�bingen as quarters and combining the arms of W�rttemberg with the three lions of Schwaben on an escutcheon. Schwaben was added as a larger territorial symbol. No helmets were used, but instead the shield was covered with a royal crown, a lion and a deer were used as supporters (representing Schwaben and W�rttemberg). For practical reasons, since 1817 smaller arms were used, which were W�rttemberg paled with Schwaben (see picture above). A new motto was added, Furchtlos und Treu (Fearless and Loyalty). These arms were used until 1922.

ARMS OF THE KINGDOM OF W�RTTEMBERG (1806-1817) - The arms of 1922 were quartered of the old W�rttemberg arms and the banner of W�rttemberg, no other territorial arms were included. As supporters two deer were used. In 1933 the motto was re-introduced, but the semi-independence was lost. After the second world war the area was split in W�rttemberg-Baden and S�dw�rttemberg-Hohenzollern. The latter used the arms of the Free State until 1952 when the two territories were combined to Baden-W�rttemberg.

ARMS OF THE FREE-STATE W�RTTEMBERG (1922-1933) and STATE W�RTTEMBERG-HOHENZOLLERN (1945-1952) - The antler as a symbol of W�rttemberg is widely used in civic arms in the former Kingdom, such as in the arms of Altensteig, Asperg, Backnang, Balingen, Blaubeuren, Dornstetten, Ebingen, Enzweihingen, Freudenstadt, Gerlingen, Gr�tzingen, Grossbottwar, G�ppingen, Heiningen, Hettingen, Heubach, Horrheim, Ilsfeld, Kleingartach, Metzingen, Mundelsheim, Sindelfingen and many others. Source: Stadler, K. : Deutsche Wappen - Bundesrepublik Deutschland. After the second world war the south western part of Germany was divided in three territories : Baden, S�dwurttemberg-Hohenzollern and W�rttemberg-Baden.

The states were created in 1945 and combined to Baden-W�rttemberg in 1952. The arms of W�rttemberg-Baden show the bend of Baden and the three antlers of W�rttemberg under the colors of the banner of W�rttemberg. Source: Stadler, K. : Deutsche Wappen - Bundesrepublik Deutschland. German CITY Coat of Arms THE CITY OF DIMBACH , BADEN-W�RTTEMBERG, GERMANY CIVIC ARMS THE CITY OF DURMERSHEIM , BADEN-W�RTTEMBERG, GERMANY CIVIC ARMS - The arms were granted in 1901, but are of much older origin. The first time the combination of the arms of Baden and the stick appears is on a seal of the village from 1555. In the 19th century seals of the town the Baden arms disappear, it was restored in 1901. The origin of the stick is not clear. Several monasteries as well as the Bishops of Speyer held lands and property in or around the town.

The staff has been explained as the staff of either one of the abbotts or the bishop. The colors are the colors of Speyer. Another explanation is that it is a pilgrim's staff, as many pilgrims traveled to the village of Bickesheim, which was combined with Durmersheim in the 14th century. Source: Stadler, K. : Deutsche Wappen - Bundesrepublik Deutschland. THE CITY OF GERMERSHEIM, RHINELAND-PFALZ, GERMANY CIVIC ARMS - The arms were granted on February 16, 1976. The district historically belonged to the Pfalz and the State of Speyer. This is symbolised in the arms with the lion of the Pfalz and the cross of Speyer. The wavy bar symbolises the Rhine River . The escutcheon shows the arms of the city of Germersheim. The arms were granted in 1841 and show the imperial eagle in different colours. The city was founded in 1276 by King Rudolf of Habsburg around a newly built imperial castle.

All seals of the city, the oldest dating from the 15th century, show an eagle. The eagle remained the symbol of the city, even when the city became a possession of Pfalz in 1330, of France in 1793 and of Bayern in 1816. The crown on the eagle was added in 1645, but at the same time the colors were a black eagle in a silver field. The present colors were first mentioned in 1786, their origin is not known. Source: Stadler, K. : Deutsche Wappen - Bundesrepublik Deutschland. THE CITY OF HILSBACH /SINSHEIM, BADEN-W�RTTEMBERG, GERMANY CIVIC ARMS THE CITY OF JOCKGRIM , RHINELAND-PFALZ, GERMANY CIVIC ARMS - Jockgrim was a possession of the Archbishops of Speyer, Germany and received city rights in the late 14th century. The oldest seal of the city dates from the late 18th century and already shows the letter A.

On February 25, 1925 the arms were officially granted by the Bavarian State ministry of the Interior, Munich, Germany. It has a red [with an orange tint] color field and a silver cadastral symbol in the form of a latin letter "A". The meaning of the "A" is not clear, it may be derived from a plow iron [an agricultural tool, loop, bow, or kink], but this is not certain. The emblem correlates to the court-seal of 1753, except for the arbitrarily chosen colors by Hupp [some unknown man who probably designed the emblem]. Source: Stadler, K. : Deutsche Wappen - Bundesrepublik Deutschland & Translation by Jens Krone. THE CITY OF KIRCHHAUSEN , BADEN-W�RTTEMBERG, GERMANY CIVIC ARMS - What you can see in the Kirchhausen coat of arms is a shovel, a sign of the farming they have had for centuries, two plows at either side of the shovel and on top of it the black cross of the Knights of the German Order.

It is black and white for the Knights of the German Order that kept Kirchhausen from becoming Protestant. It remains the only Catholic town within a radius of 25 miles. It was Napoleon who ran over Germany with his army around 1806 to fight Russia and he took the town away from the Knights and gave it to W�rttemberg. W�rttemberg is colloquially called Swabia (Schwaben) but those people have a different dialect. The colors blue and white are emblematic of Kirchhausen. All the sports teams wear blue shorts and white jerseys. Especially the FC (Fu�ball Club) soccer team. Kirchhausen is known all over the county.

THE CITY OF KUHARDT, PFALZ, GERMANY CIVIC ARMS THE CITY OF "LANDAU on the RHINE", RHINELAND-PFALZ, GERMANY CIVIC ARMS THE CITY OF LEIMERSHEIM , RHINELAND-PFALZ, GERMANY CIVIC ARMS THE CITY OF NAGOLD, BADEN-W�RTTEMBERG, GERMANY CIVIC ARMS - Nagold was a possession of the Counts of Hohenberg since the early 13th century. The counts also granted the city rights in the early 14th century. In 1363 the city became part of W�rttemberg. The oldest known seal of the city dates from 1352 and shows the divided shield of the Counts of Hohenberg. In the 17th century a canting nail (Nagel) was added to the arms. Initially the nail was silver, but later the nail was changed into blue. The arms have thus not changed since. Source:Stadler, K. : Deutsche Wappen - Bundesrepublik Deutschland.

Angelsachsen Verlag THE CITY OF NEUPOTZ , PFALZ, GERMANY CIVIC ARMS THE CITY OF RASTATT, BADEN-W�RTTEMBERG, GERMANY CIVIC ARMS THE CITY OF R�LZHEIM , PFALZ, GERMANY CIVIC ARMS The arms were granted in 1842 and were based on the oldest known seal of the town, dating from 1721. The knight most likely is the patron saint, St. Mauritius. The saint is shown as a knight as the town has been a possession of the Teutonic Order for a long time. The cross is also the cross of the Order. Source:Stadler, K. : Deutsche Wappen - Bundesrepublik Deutschland.

Angelsachsen Verlag THE CITY OF WALBACH, BADEN-W�RTTEMBERG, GERMANY CIVIC ARMS Switzerland Coat of Arms 1857-1882 RUSSIAN CZAR'S (Romanov Family) COAT OF ARMS 1883-1917 RUSSIAN CZAR'S (Romanov Family) COAT OF ARMS UKRAINE COAT OF ARMS - The National Arms - Trident (tryzub). The official coat of arms of Ukraine is a gold trident on an azure background. As a state emblem the trident dates back to Kievan Rus', when it was the coat of arms of the Riuryk dynasty. There are various theories about its origins and meaning. A trident was the symbol of Poseidon, the sea god of Greek mythology. It has been found in different societies, such as the Bosporan and Pontic kingdoms, the Greek colonies on the Black Sea, Byzantium, Scandinavia, and Sarmatia, and has been used in various ways: as a religious and military emblem, a heraldic symbol, a state emblem, a monogram, and simply a decorative design.

The oldest examples of the trident discovered by archeologists on Ukrainian territory date back to the 1st century ad. At that time the trident probably served as a symbol of power in one of the tribes that later became part of the Ukrainian people. a. b. c. CHERSON PROVIDENCE COAT OF ARMS - a) The emblem of the Russian period was confirmed on the 3d of October 1803. In an or field there was a picture of a sable double-headed crowned eagle holding in its right foot a laurel branch, in its left foot - flames. On the eagle's chest in an azure escutcheon there was an or cross with four rays in the upper part and with a small cross-bar in base. b) The emblem of Khersons'ka Province was confirmed on the 5th of July 1878 and it was an azure field with the argent Russian cross with radiance in the four upper corners and accompanied by three or emperial crowns on both sides and below. The shield is crowned with the emperial crown and surrounded with oak leaves which are connected by the ribbon of the Order of St.Alexander. c) Mr. B.

Kene worked out a project of a new emblem of the town of Cherson - in an or field there was a tower on a sable mountain. A maiden in azure clothes was on the tower. In the canton an emblem of Khersons'ka province. The shield is crowned with an argent mauerkrone with three embattlements and within two or spikes entwined with the ribbon of the Order of St.Alexander. The emblem was not approved. a. b. ODESSA OBLAST' (PROVIDENCE) - a) The emblem of the Russian period was confirmed on the 7th of November 1847. A shield per fess with azure. In the upper part there was Khersons'ka emblem, in the lower part one could see three storks each in its nest. Two storks were on the sides and one was between them in base. b) CITY OF ODESSA - An emblem of the Russian period was confirmed on the 22nd of April 1798. A shield per fess with gules. In the upper part there was an naissant state eagle, in the lower part one could see a argent anchor.

CITY OF SARATOV - 1781 emblem - Before communism extinguished religion in Russia, the Catholic Diocese of Tiraspol maintained a large seminary in the city of Saratov on the west bank of the Volga River a few hundred miles above the Caspian Sea. The Holy See established the first South Russian region diocese in 1847. The bishopric seat was in the port city of Cherson but, after violent objection from the Orthodox clergy, it was soon transferred to Tiraspol, a small Moldavian town on the Dniester River. It was again relocated to Saratov in 1856 until it's closing in 1917. Related ROLL Family's Coat of Arms The study of coats of arms is called heraldry, the language of emblems, (i.e. patterns, signs and symbols), which grew out of the military life of the Middle Ages. Those "extraordinary times of reality and romance, of barbarism and civilization" when the social order was feudal. Of the various trappings of feudalism, only heraldry survives. Those who control the issuance of arms are the heralds.

Typically, each country in Western Europe has an office of the heralds, sometimes called the Kings of Arms. The heralds are empowered to decide who is authorized to display a certain coat of arms. Blazoning is the heraldic term for describing a coat of arms; first its color, i.e. the field (background) and second the bearings (designs) all in their proper order and respective shapes, positions and tinctures (colors). Most Americans are very nieve about heraldry. Technically speaking, there is no such thing as a family coat of arms in Western Europe. A coat of arms is issued to one person, not to a family. After that person is deceased, his eldest heir may apply for the same coat of arms. Again, when he dies, his heir may apply. The rules for determining who is eligible to display a coat of arms are very similar to the rules for becoming King or Queen of England. However, even the proper heir cannot display the coat of arms until he or she has received authorization (been confirmed) by the heralds. At any one time, only one person may rightfully display a coat of arms.

Some wise words from an anonymous person: "So you got a coat of arms from somebody in New York, which they researched very thoroughly and authentisized. Well good for you! The average person was more concerned about bringing food to the table and hoped to survive the next winter, next flood, next Cholera epidemic etc. Don�t burn it in your fireplace, but hang it in a prominent place, if you haven�t already, to remind you of Barnum�s saying: There�s a sucker born every minute.

If it does not have a minimum of a unicorn, shield, or lion you really got taken." CALHOUN FAMILY COAT OF ARMS ELL FAMILY COAT OF ARMS ERHARDT FAMILY COAT OF ARMS a c d GARTNER FAMILY COAT OF ARMS - a) unknown b) German GAERTNER c) German GARTNER ancient arms d) England GARTNER ancient arms a c d HEIDT FAMILY COAT OF ARMS - a) German HEIDT ancient arms b) German HEID ancient arms c) Belgium HEID ancient arms d) English HITE ancient arms HEINZMAN FAMILY COAT OF ARMS KOFFLER FAMILY COAT OF ARMS LANTZ/LANZ FAMILY COAT OF ARMS LEE FAMILY COAT OF ARMS a. REICHERT FAMILY COAT OF ARMS - a) German REICHERT b) German REICHERT ancient arms ROLL FAMILY COAT OF ARMS: The OLD original coat of arms found in castles were made of wood and then painted. a1.

Question: What creature appears in the coat of arms of Berlin?
Answer: Bear