Nordrhein-Westfalen |
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Meaning/Origin of the Flag: |
The flag and the coat of arms of North Rhine Westfalia were introduced in 1948 and confirmed in 1953. In her assembly of the colours is the flag a combination of the colours of the prussian provinces Rhineland (green-white) and Westfalia (white-red). The coat of arms shows the heraldic symbols for the country-parts Rhineland (white wave-line on green ground), Westfalia (white horse on red ground) and Lippe-Detmold (red rose on white ground). |
In the twenties of the 20th century Rhinanian separatists already used the same flag. (without the coat of arms!) |
The white horse in the coat of arms is the "Saxons Ross". It has its roots in the Tribal-Duchy of Saxony and was later adoped from the Welfen-Dynasty. Their symbol was actually a golden lion on red ground. In this way became it the heraldic animal of the Kingdom of Hannover (since 1866 Prussian Province of Hannover), of the Prussian Province of Westfalia and since 1922 of the Country of Brunswick. This tradition is continued in the FRG at those federal countries to which formerly Welfian territories belong. In this way they have until today the white horse in their coats of arms: Lower Saxony and North Rhine Westfalia. |
In old reproductions of coats of arms (at least until 1935) the Saxons Ross held its tail always upward. With the new-creation of the State of Hannover was that tradition broken after the Second World War, because the Saxons Ross held on its flag its tail downwards. That was continued in the Country of Lower Saxony the successor of the State of Hannover. Because of that the Saxons Ross is called in Westfalia (wehre it holds the tail still upward) "Westfalia Horse", in contrast to the "Lower Saxony Horse". |
Quelle/Source: Die Welt der Flaggen, Volker Preuss |
Coat of Arms: | ||
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Source: Corel Draw 4 | ||
Map: clickable map |
FRG and its countries: |
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Numbers and Facts: |
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Source: Wikipedia (D) |
Kindly supported by: | A. Kortmann (D) |