Ketsch
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Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of Germany - Deutsche Wappen (Gemeindewappen/Kreiswappen) |
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KETSCH
State : Baden-Württemberg
District (Kreis) : Rhein-Neckar Kreis (until 1973 Mannheim)
Official blazon
In gespaltenem Schild vorne in Silber der grün gekleidete Enderle von Ketsch mit grünem Federhut, rotem Koller und Gürtel, umgehängter roter Ledertasche und schwarzen Stulpenstiefeln, in den Händen eine schwarze Axt mit rotem Stiel quer haltend; hinten in Blau ein goldener Winkel (Triangel), aus dessen Scheitel ein goldenes Endrautenkreuz wächst, begleitet von vier sechsstrahligen goldenen Sternen (1:2:1).
Origin/meaning
Ketsch was a possession of the Bishops of Speyer until 1802. Even though the village had its own court already in the 16th century, the court did not use any seals of its own. The oldest seal of Ketsch dates from 1715 and shows a typical village sign, surrounded by stars, and an angel as a supporter (see below).
All later seals showed the same image and in 1912 the State Archives proposed arms with the symbol in the blue and silver colours of Speyer. These arms were used until 1957 when the present arms were granted.
The figure in the right part of the arms shows Enderle of Ketsch, a local figure, who in the 16th century defended the rights of the local farmers against the Bishop of Speyer.
Literature : Stadler, K. : Deutsche Wappen - Bundesrepublik Deutschland. Angelsachsen Verlag, 1964-1971, 8 volumes.