Many European cities, dating back more than one century, demonstrate exceptional loyalty to tradition. For example, the coat of arms of Frankfurt am Main, an old German city, has been in effect since the Middle Ages. Its composition is primitively simple, since it contains only one element, but at the same time has a very long history. The same applies to the color palette, only four colors were used by the authors of the sketch to create the heraldic symbol.
Important colors
A description of the coat of arms of Frankfurt am Main can be found in the Charter of the city, it clearly describes what the main symbol is and what colors are used for which elements.
Experts note that the most important colors in heraldry were used for the coat of arms of this German settlement:
- scarlet - for the background of the shield;
- silver - for the main symbol;
- gold, used for the edging of the shield and in small details;
- azure color.
The main and only element of the coat of arms of Frankfurt am Main is the eagle. The bird itself is represented by leaning on its tail, with widely spaced paws and spread wings. Her head is turned to the right, her tongue sticks out.
The feathers are silver, the legs and beak are gold. Also, for the image of the claws and tongue of the bird, azure is used. The importance of the feathered predator, which is present in the coat of arms, is intended to emphasize the golden crown crowning the head of the bird.
History of the official symbol
The origins of the appearance of the eagle on the main heraldic symbol of Frankfurt am Main should be sought in the Holy Roman Empire. On the coat of arms of this state formation, there was also an image of a bird of prey.
The German settlement acquired its symbol during the reign of Frederick II, the seals of the mayor of the city have survived, on which you can already see the image of an eagle. In 1372, there is a bird of prey on the coat of arms, the image of which differs from the previous one.
The main difference is that the color palette has changed: the eagle has acquired a snow-white color, corresponding to silver in heraldry, the color of the shield has also changed, it has become red. Evidence of these changes can be found in the famous German poem of the 16th century. The new sign positions Frankfurt am Main as a free imperial city.
Another question, not fully studied by German historians, relates to the crown crowning the head of an eagle, which did not exist in the 15th century. It is not known for certain when the headdress of the monarchs appeared on the coat of arms of Frankfurt am Main.
