Elten

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

ELTEN

State : Nordrhein-Westfalen
District (Kreis) : Kleve (until 1974 Rees)
Incorporated into : 1975 Emmerich

Origin/meaning

The arms were granted on June 29, 1938.

The arms show an imperial eagle, for the free Abbey of Elten (which was only subject to the Emperor), which existed in the town since the 9^th century. The sceptre and sword indicate that the Abbey has its own court for low and higher justice. The red field with silver bordure are derived from the red bend which was worn by the nuns in the Abbey. The blue base of the shield symbolises the Wild river, formerly part of the Rhine river. The small mountain symbolises the Eltenberg.

The municipality asked for the use of arms in 1938, and wanted to use the arms of the last Abbess , the Princess of Salm-Reifferscheidt. However, it was not allowed to use the arms of a family for the council.

Literature : Nagel, R. : Rheinisches Wappenbuch, Köln, 1986.