Bavarian Arms: Color History

The colours of the Free State of Bavaria are white and blue, which correspond to the colours of the former Bavarian sovereign lineage of Wittelsbach. The white and blue rhombuses are regarded as a symbol of Bavaria and are officially used as the small Bavarian state coat of arms. The blue and white lozenges are indisputably the emblem of Bavaria and the heart shield today symbolises Bavaria as a whole. The large Bavarian state coat of arms, introduced on 5 June 1950, consists of four quarters, each bearing its own colours and heraldic symbols.

The golden lion on a black background represents the Upper Palatinate administrative district

The coat of arms of Bavaria was introduced on 5 June 1950, and the golden lion on a black background is one of its key features. This symbol represents the Upper Palatinate administrative district, which is located in the east of Bavaria, Germany. The Upper Palatinate is characterised by its rural landscape, featuring low mountains, ponds, lakes, and lowland regions. The region consists of seven districts and 226 municipalities, including three cities.

Historically, the golden lion was the symbol of the Palatines of the Rhine. After Ludwig, Duke of Bavaria, was enfeoffed with the Palatinate in 1214, the golden lion became the common symbol of the old Bavarian and Palatine House of Wittelsbach. This symbol has been associated with the Upper Palatinate administrative district for centuries and is a significant element of the Bavarian state coat of arms.

The coat of arms of Bavaria has two versions: the greater and lesser arms. The golden lion appears in the greater arms, also known as the "large Bavarian state coat of arms." In this design, the golden lion is positioned in the top left square, known as the dexter chief in heraldic terms. It is depicted as rampant, meaning it is standing with one paw raised, and is edged in red.

The golden lion in the coat of arms is identical to the coat of arms of the Electorate of the Palatinate. The Upper Palatinate region took its current name in the early 14th century, and its history is closely tied to the Wittelsbach dynasty. The Upper Palatinate has been a part of Bavaria since the 17th century, and its golden lion symbol continues to be a prominent feature of the Bavarian state coat of arms, representing the region's rich history and cultural significance.

The Franconian rake represents the administrative districts of Upper, Middle and Lower Franconia

The coat of arms of Bavaria has greater and lesser versions, and was introduced by law on 5 June 1950. The second quarter of the coat of arms, known as the "Franconian Rake", represents the administrative districts of Upper, Middle, and Lower Franconia.

The Franconian Rake is characterised by a zig-zag line of partition that divides the escutcheon or shield into red and silver fields. The three upward-pointing white triangles symbolise the Trinity of God, while the four downward-pointing triangles represent the four points of the compass on Earth. The shape of the rake symbolises the holism of heaven and Earth and was used by church bodies such as the Bishopric of Würzburg.

The Franconian Rake first appeared in the early 14th century on the grave of the Würzburg Prince-bishop, Wolfram Wolfskeel von Grumbach, and in a seal for the city of Gerolzhofen. It was initially chosen by the Bishops of Würzburg as a symbol of their Franconian ducal status. It was incorporated into the Bavarian coat of arms in 1804 by Prince Elector Maximilian IV Joseph, and it was only at this point that it became a symbol for the whole of Franconia.

The Franconian Rake is now found in the coat of arms of many administrative bodies in the Franconian region, including the Bavarian provinces of Upper, Middle, and Lower Franconia.

The blue panther represents the old Bavarian administrative districts of Lower and Upper Bavaria

The blue panther, or 'Pantier', is a mythical creature, a hybrid of a dragon and a lion, that features in the third quarter of the Bavarian coat of arms. It is depicted as rampant, with red tongue and claws, on a white or silver background. The blue panther was originally the symbol of the Palatines of Ortenburg, based in Lower Bavaria, and was later adopted by the House of Wittelsbach.

The blue panther is just one of several heraldic elements that make up the Bavarian coat of arms, each with its own distinct meaning and historical significance. The coat of arms is divided into quarters, with the blue panther in the bottom left quarter. The other quarters feature a golden lion on a black background (representing the Upper Palatinate administrative district), the 'Franconian rake' (representing the Upper, Middle and Lower Franconia administrative districts), and three black lions (representing the administrative district of Swabia).

The coat of arms also features a central white and blue shield, which is regarded as a symbol of Bavaria as a whole. The white and blue colours were confirmed as the colours of Bavaria in the country's 1946 constitution and are derived from the heraldry of the Counts of Bogen, which was adopted by the House of Wittelsbach in 1242.

The three black lions represent the administrative district of Swabia

The coat of arms of Bavaria was introduced by law on 5 June 1950. The fourth quarter of the coat of arms features three black lions on a gold background. These lions represent the administrative district of Swabia. The three lions are depicted couchant, with their heads turned towards the observer. They are edged in red and positioned one above the other.

The design of the three lions is derived from the old coat of arms of the Hohenstaufen dynasty, former dukes of Swabia. The Bavarian state coat of arms adopted the symbol of the three lions to represent the district of Swabia.

Swabia, located in southwest Bavaria, is one of the seven administrative regions of Bavaria, Germany. It consists of ten districts and 340 municipalities, including four cities. The county of Swabia was annexed by Bavaria in 1803 and has been a part of the historic region of Swabia since.

The inclusion of the three black lions in the Bavarian state coat of arms acknowledges the historical significance of the region and the former ruling dynasty of Swabia. The use of the lions in the coat of arms symbolises the unity and importance of the administrative district of Swabia within Bavaria.

The coat of arms of Bavaria has both greater and lesser versions, with the greater arms featuring a quartered shield and lions as supporters, while the lesser arms consist solely of the inescutcheon of the greater arms, bearing the white and blue rhombuses, along with the people's crown.

The white and blue central shield is the small Bavarian state coat of arms

The white and blue central shield, featuring white and blue rhombuses slanting to the right, is the small Bavarian state coat of arms. This design was originally the coat of arms of the Counts of Bogen and was adopted as the coat of arms of the House of Wittelsbach in 1242. The white and blue rhombuses are regarded as a symbol of Bavaria and of Bavaria as a whole. The design is also officially used as the small Bavarian state coat of arms, accompanied by the people's crown.

The white and blue rhombuses, or lozenges, were inherited by the Wittelsbach family from the Counts of Bogen. The number of lozenges was fixed to a minimum of 21 in the 15th century, but this number increased to 42 when Bavaria became a kingdom in 1806. The colours of the lozenges have been unchanged since 1330. The white and blue colours are also the colours of the Bavarian flag, which features horizontal stripes or lozenges. The colours were confirmed as the colours of the state in the constitution of 2 December 1946.

The small Bavarian state coat of arms is distinct from the greater coat of arms, which features a quartered shield with a heart shield in the middle. The heart shield features the white and blue lozenges, which symbolise the Wittelsbach kin, rulers of Bavaria for a long time. The greater coat of arms also features two lions as supporters and the people's crown. The people's crown symbolises the sovereignty of the people after the abolition of the royal crown.

Frequently asked questions