Coat of arms of Bremen

This article is about the coat of arms of the German state Free Hanseatic City of Bremen and the city of Bremen.

Coat of arms of Bremen
Versions
Middle coat of arms of Bremen
Lesser arms of Bremen
Coat of arms used in the state flag
Armiger	Free Hanseatic City of Bremen
Crest	A leaf coronet of five.
Blazon	Gules, a key Argent
Supporters	Two lions rampant reguardant Or, langued Gules
Compartment	A postament Or

Description

From the Bremen Official Website:

The Coat-of-Arms of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen shows a silver key on a red shield. The key is the attribute of Simon Petrus, patron saint of the Bremen Cathedral, and it was first represented in the seal of the City of Bremen in 1366, after its liberation from the occupation by Prince-Archbishop Albert II, and later became the main element of the city's coat-of-arms.[1]

History

The arms granted by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1811

Officially, the coat of arms was confirmed by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1811. This is the only coat of arms featuring the historical colours of Bremen. The three bees are derivatives of the Napoleonic Empire as part of the tradition of the Franks. Representations of bees were 1653 in the grave of Childeric I. They are meant to act as a symbol of France's ideals on immortality and rebirth. It was therefore a great honor when Napoleon gave the bees to the city, in the red and gold colours of his family.

Before and after the Napoleonic era, the red and white colours of the Hanseatic cities were more important, starting in the 16th century. At this time, the shield was supported by angels, but from 1568, however, they were replaced by lions. In 1617 a helmet was added, but it was never officially part of the coat of arms. The crown on the coat of arms dates from the late 16th century.

See also

• Flag of Bremen
• Coat of arms of Germany
• Origin of the coats of arms of German federal states.

References

1. CRW Flags