Krempe

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

KREMPE

State : Schleswig-Holstein
District (Kreis) : Steinburg
Amt : Amt Krempermarsch

Official blazon

In Gold oberhalb und unterhalb eines schmalen blauen Wellenbalkens drei im Dreipaß gestellte, mit den Köpfen einander zugewendete blaue Fische. Zwischen den beiden oberen ein schwarzer Wolfskopf.

Origin/meaning

Krempe received city rights already before 1250 from the Counts of Holstein. The arms are based on the oldest known seal, which dates from the late 13^th century. The same composition was used in all later seals. The three fish and the wavy bar indicate the importance of sailing and fishing for the city during the centuries.

The upper half shows a wolf's head. Its origin is not clear, the oldest seals do show some head, but it is uncertain from what animal. It has been speculated that the head belonged to either a bear or a seal, both of which have been used on later images. The wolf was chosen as one of the supporters of the arms of Count Gerhard V of Holstein was a wolf.