Coat of arms of Hamburg

Coat of arms of Hamburg
Versions
Lesser coat of arms of Hamburg
Admiralty coat of arms of Hamburg
Details
Armiger	Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg
Crest	Three peacock feathers and six banners of the arms and a mantling Argent and Gules.
Escutcheon	Gules, a castle triple-turreted Argent.
Supporters	Two Lions rampant reguardant Or, langued Gules.
Compartment	A postament Or
Other elements	A cross Argent atop the central turret, a six-rayed mullet Argent above each outer turret.
Use	The greater arms may only be used by the government of Hamburg.

The coat of arms of the German state and city of Hamburg is a kind of a national emblem. The coat of arms and the flags are regulated by the constitution of Hamburg and law. The colors of Hamburg are white and red. One of the oldest versions of the castle is found on a seal in 1245.

All coat of arms show a castle with three towers. The middle tower shows a cross on top. It is believed that the so-called Marian stars on top of the two side-towers and the cross recalls the fact that Hamburg used to be an archbishopric. The towers and the walls with their pinnacles and the closed gate symbolized the determination of the town to defend itself.

The Greater Coat of Arms shows the castle, the stars and the church in silver on red ground with two lions standing on a compartment. The top is like the middle coat of arms with a helmet with crest including three peacock feathers and six banners of the arms and a mantling. This coat of arms is protected and only allowed to be used by the Senat and the Diet of Hamburg.

The Admiralty Coat of Arms of Hamburg is used for official ships of Hamburg.

The oldest coat of arms of Hamburg has been retained on city seals of the 12th and 13th centuries. During the centuries the towers, walls, pinnacles and symbols of the coat of arms of Hamburg changed several times, without changing in character. The central castle was shown with opened doors sometimes with closed doors and with a portcullis.

The colors of version of the lesser arms of 2008 are declared by an act of law of the Senate of Hamburg on 14 May 1752. Before the tincture was a red castle on white ground. Since 1952, the coat of arms and the flags are regulated by the constitution of Hamburg. The colors of Hamburg are white and red. In general the use of city seals with the coat of arms was a privilege of the City Council. The city elders had to watch its maintenance. Even now the coat of arms is protected and can only be used under specific circumstances.

Second known seal of 1253/55 (Replica)

Third known seal of 1264

Fourth known seal of 1304

Free imperial city
1605 (Johann Siebmacher)