Gengenbach

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

GENGENBACH

State : Baden-Württemberg
District (Kreis) : Ortenaukreis (until 1973 Offenburg)
Additions : 1971 Schwaibach; 1975 Bermersbach, Reichenbach

Official blason:
In Silber ein rot bezungter schwarzer Adler, belegt mit einem roten Brustschild, darin ein gekrümmter silberner Gangfisch.

Origin/meaning :
Gengenbach was a free imperial city from 1218-1803. The city thus was entitled to use the imperial eagle on its seals and arms. The fish appears for the first time on a 13^th century seal, and is a canting element (it is described as a Gang-fisch).

In 1505 Emperor Maximilian granted the above arms, which combine the old eagle with the fish. The arms have not basically changed since, except that the colour of the filed often was described as gold instead of silver. Gold being the colour used in the imperial arms.

The arms on emergency money from 1918

The arms in the Kaffee Hag albums +/- 1925

Literature : Stadler, K. : Deutsche Wappen - Bundesrepublik Deutschland. Angelsachsen Verlag, 1964-1971, 8 volumes.