Altenkirchen (kreis)

Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of Germany - Deutsche Wappen (Gemeindewappen/Kreiswappen)

ALTENKIRCHEN (AK)

State : Rheinland-Pfalz

Origin/meaning

The arms were granted on December 11, 1967.

The arms combine symbols of the former territories in the district. The lion is taken from the arms of the Counts of Sayn, who ruled a large part of the Eastern part of the district. The wolf-iron is taken from the arms of the Counts (later Princes) of Hatzefeld, who ruled the area around Wildenburg. The cross in the lower part symbolises the cross of the State of Köln. The colours of the cross symbolise the forestry (red wood) and the basalt industry (black basalt) in the district.

Previously the district used the arms as shown below. The upper half is identical, but the base showed three pine trees above some basalt columns. These symbols represent the importance of forestry and the basalt quarries in the region.

Literature : Stadler, 1964-1971, 8 volumes; Decku, 1960