One of the German cities received the beautiful name "Metropolis on the Rhine". Throughout history, this settlement has played an important role in the history of not only Germany, but the whole of Europe. That is why the coat of arms of Cologne looks so royal, this applies to both the main elements and the color palette used in the image.
Big or small
The coat of arms of Cologne consists of two important details: the German double-headed eagle holding in its paws the symbols of royalty; shield, located on the chest of a bird of prey.
The inhabitants of Cologne prefer the small heraldic sign of the city - a shield, which has its own details and elements, since without the formidable feathered predator, the tone looks more peaceful. Each element of this heraldic symbol and its color palette has its own meaning.
Small coat of arms and its symbols
The small coat of arms is depicted as a shield with a rounded bottom. Its field is horizontally divided into two unequal parts, in the upper part, painted in scarlet color, three crowns are depicted.
The lower part of the heraldic symbol of Cologne is made in black and white. To some, it may seem like an ermine mantle - the same white background color and black elements, reminiscent of the padding of a royal cape.
In fact, the appearance of such a pattern has a sadder meaning. In the description of the coat of arms, one can find the following explanation: eleven drops of blood shed by Saint Ursula, the main patroness of the city, and her friends. Fearless girls gave their lives to defend the city and the holy faith.
Kings from the New Testament
The most interesting fact about the Cologne coat of arms is that the royal crowns were placed on the coat of arms not in honor of famous monarchs who played a role in the formation or development of the city. These are the characters of the New Testament, the so-called three kings, among the Slavic peoples they are known under the name of the Magi.
These people are directly related to Cologne, which is why crowns, as their symbols, appeared on the city's coat of arms. Three biblical wise men - Caspar, Melchior and Belshazzar - were among the first to come to visit the newborn Jesus Christ and presented him with gifts, symbols of royal power. For this they were numbered among the saints, began to be called “holy kings”, and the day of January 6 in Germany became non-working.
Cologne Cathedral is one of the oldest and largest religious buildings in Europe, but it is not this fact that attracts thousands of pilgrim tourists here. It is here that the "chest of the three wise men" is located, where the relics of the saints are kept.
