Gronau (Borken)
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Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of Germany - Deutsche Wappen (Gemeindewappen/Kreiswappen) |
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GRONAU
State : Nordrhein-Westfalen
District (Kreis) : Borken (until 1974 Ahaus)
Additions : 1974 Epe
Official blazon
Origin/meaning
The present arms were granted on October 8, 1981. The arms combine elements from the old arms of Gronau and Epe.
The first arms of Gronau were granted in 1898 and showed a golden bend, with silver lining in a green field. On the bend were three black bars.
 The arms from 1898 |
The second arms were granted on July 19, 1937.
The green field is canting (Gronau comes from Grüne Aue, or green field). The old bend and the new wavy bend symbolises the Dinkel river that runs through the city. The swan is derived from the arms of the Lords of Steinfurt, as the city historically was a possession of the Lords of Steinfurt until 1699. The gold and red colours are derived from the arms of Münster, as the city was acquired by the Bishops of Münster in 1699.
 The arms from 1937 |
 Seal from around 1900 |
 The arms in the Kaffee Hag albums +/- 1925 |
Literature : Stadler, 1964-1971, 8 volumes; Kaffee Hag albums, 1920s; new image from Wilfried Pleiter, Gronau.