Origins of Cologne’s coat of arms

Did you ever wonder about the coat of arms of Cologne and why it is the way it is? I just did some research and found out that its history is quite interesting and also includes some funny twists.

Cologne’s small coat of arm as it is today. Source: Wikimedia Commonsꜛ (license: public domain)

Origin

The Cologne coat of arms, with a history spanning over seven centuries, has seen numerous changes reflecting the city’s evolution. As a co-founder of the Hanseatic League, alongside Lübeck, the shield’s colors, red and white, are drawn from the League. Since the 12th century, the three crowns have symbolized the Three Wise Men, whose relics were brought to Cologne in 1164 by Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa.

Rococo-style Cologne coat of arms, Cologne approx. 1700. Seen at the City Museum of Cologne.

The Three Wise Men or The Three Magi at the Little Three Kings Gate at St. Mary’s in the Capitol basilica in Cologne (southeast corner of the former “immunity” and cemetery). According to legend, the relics of the Magi had arrived right here at the basilica in 1164. The exhibited figures are copies of the original ones, which are today in the Museum Schnütgen. The originals were painted in color and made around 1320-30, except the kneeling king, who was perhaps replaced during a renovation. On the right, there is St. Mary enthroned with the Child holding a bird, approached by the three Magi from the left. The first king has adoringly sunk to his knees, presenting a lid cup. The other two kings, with leaf crowns on their heads, follow behind him, bringing cylindrical jars (pyxes) as presents. Side note: The classical Cologne-dialect song, “Nor am Dreikünningepöötzge”, by Karl Berbuer (1953), describes the gate and its surroundings as one of the few places that had remained intact after the destruction of the city during World War II, recalling the old Cologne. – The source for this caption is an information plaque attached below the Gothic gate.

The coat of arms also features eleven black drops or flames, known in Cologne as “tears”, which have been part of the city’s emblem since the 16th century. These drops recall the legend of Saint Ursula, believed to be a devout daughter of the King of Brittany, Maurus. Originally representing ermine tails found in Brittany’s coat of arms, these drops are linked to the tale of Saint Ursula and her ten virgin companions, who, according to legend, were returning from a pilgrimage to Rome when they were murdered by Attila’s Huns near Cologne. Over the centuries, numerous bones found in and around Cologne, often from Roman tombs, were attributed to Ursula’s companions.

The sarcophagus of St. Ursula at the Church of St. Ursula in Cologne.

One of many St. Ursula reliquaries in the Church of St. Ursula in Cologne.

The Golden Chamber in St. Ursula, Cologne. The room stores the countless so-called Ursula relics, making it the largest ossuary north of the Alps. I will be writing more about the trade in relics in medieval Cologne in an upcoming post. Stay tuned.

The martyrdom of St. Ursula and her companions, depicted in the bronze door of St. Ursula’s Church in Cologne. Created by the Cologne sculptor Theo Heiermann in 1959.

Double eagle

Since 1897, the coat of arms has rested on a double-headed, nimbed, gold-armed, and red-tongued eagle, bearing a sword and scepter. This double eagle symbolizes Cologne’s status as a Free Imperial City (German: Freie Reichsstadt), a title granted in 1475. Prior to 1794, the three-crown emblem was not accompanied by the double eagle but held by a lion and griffin. Above the shield, as a crest, is a red tournament hat with ermine trim, topped with a shield board bearing the coat of arms and adorned with peacock feathers.

Left: Cologne coat of arms with lion and griffin as a coat of arms holder around 1527. Source: Wikimedia Commonsꜛ (license: public domain). Right: Cologne’s coat of arms as it is today with the double eagle. Source: Wikimedia Commonsꜛ (license: public domain)

Three golden bees – The coat of arms under Napoleonic rule

During the French occupation, Napoleon granted Cologne a new coat of arms in 1811, placing the city among the first-order cities of the French Empire (French: Bonnes villes de l’Empire français). This coat of arms featured three golden bees, a black serrated bar in red, a Mercury staff, and a golden wall with a seven-tined mural crown, from which a golden eagle emerged. Surrounding the shield was a golden wreath interwoven with red ribbons, consisting of olive branches on the right and oak branches on the left.

Cologne coat of arms during the French occupation in 1811. Source: Wikimedia Commonsꜛ (license: public domain).

But why three bees? First of all, bees in the coat of arms were a distinction for cities at the time, as they showed that they were considered Bonnes villes de l’Empire français. The city of Mainz also received a bee coat of arms from the French. And according to verliebtinkoeln.comꜛ, bees were found in the tomb of Childeric I from the 5th century. He was the first Merovingian king. As Napoleon was aware of his tradition, he adopted the bees as his emblem.

However, the bee coat of arms was not to last long. Just three years later after it has been introduced, the French occupation of Cologne ended (1814), Cologne fell to the Prussians, and the old coat of arms was reintroduced.

Conclusion

I was surprised that investigating even a familiar symbol such as a city’s coat of arms, often seen but perhaps not deeply considered, can reveal a rich history, uncovering unique backstories behind each element. Have you ever wondered what secrets your own city’s coat of arms might hold? Why not diving into its history and discover the stories hidden within its symbols? If you uncover any exciting stories or quirky facts, feel free to share them in the comments below. It’s always fascinating to learn about the local history of different cities.

References

• Wikipedia article on the coat of arms of Cologneꜛ
• Heiko Steuer, Das Wappen der Stadt Köln, Köln 1981, Greven Verlag, ISBN: 978-3774301931
• verliebtinkoeln.comꜛ