City of Frankfurt (Oder) (Brandenburg, Germany)

Stadt Frankfurt (Oder), until 1933 Frankfurt an der Oder

Last modified: 2002-05-18 by santiago dotor
Keywords: brandenburg | stadt frankfurt (oder) | frankfurt (oder) | frankfurt an der oder | coat of arms: gate (red) | coat of arms: rooster (red) |
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3:5
by Stefan Schwoon and Jens Pattke

• Description
• Flag 1949-1992

See also:

• County and Municipal Flags (Brandenburg, Germany)
• Brandenburg (Germany)
• Germany

Red-green-white with the arms. Arms from Bensing et al, Lexikon Städte und Wappen der DDR, Leipzig, 1984.

Stefan Schwoon, 14 February 2001

The coat of arms of the city was changed slightly in 1992 — the cock now stands with both feet on the ground. Previously, he was advancing. If I understand correctly, the exact form of the cock has political implications, and currently both forms are in use, although the standing variant will become official eventually. I am sure Jens Pattke can explain this much better than me.

Stefan Schwoon, 10 March 2001

From Ralf Hartemink's International Civic Arms website:

The arms show a city gate with the eagle of Brandenburg, as Frankfurt received city rights by the Counts of Brandenburg in 1253. The meaning or origin of the rooster is not clear, it may be simply a symbol of watchfulness. It may also be a canting symbol. Frankfurt means Ford [Fort?] of the Francs, a German tribe, which were often named Gallus/Gallii in Latin. Gallus is also Latin for a rooster.

The whole composition already appears on the oldest known seal of the city, dating from 1294. Most other seals showed the same composition, but some smaller seals only showed the rooster.

Literature: Bensing et al. 1984.

Santiago Dotor, 28 November 2001

3:5
by Stefan Schwoon