das  Stadtwappen

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʃtatˌvapn/

🛡️ What exactly is a Stadtwappen?

The German word das Stadtwappen (neuter noun, article: das) refers to the official heraldic symbol or emblem of a city, commonly known as a city coat of arms.

It serves to identify and represent the city, both externally and internally.

Stadtwappen often have a long history and contain symbols relating to the city's past, special features, or rights (e.g., walls, gates, rivers, animals, tools, patron saints).

There is only one article for this word: das. The article comes from the base word Wappen (coat of arms), which is das Wappen.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar: Declension of das Stadtwappen

The word Stadtwappen is a neuter noun. It follows the strong declension pattern.

Declension Table

Example Sentences 📜

• Das Stadtwappen von Berlin zeigt einen Bären.
  (The coat of arms of Berlin shows a bear.)
• Die Geschichte des Stadtwappens ist oft sehr alt.
  (The history of the city coat of arms is often very old.)
• Auf dem Briefkopf der Stadtverwaltung ist dem Stadtwappen ein Ehrenplatz zugewiesen.
  (On the city administration's letterhead, a place of honor is assigned to the city coat of arms.)
• Viele Touristen fotografieren das Stadtwappen am Rathaus.
  (Many tourists photograph the city coat of arms on the town hall.)
• Die Ausstellung zeigte verschiedene historische Stadtwappen aus der Region.
  (The exhibition showed various historical city coats of arms from the region.)

🏛️ How and When to Use Stadtwappen?

The term Stadtwappen is used to denote the official symbol of a city. Typical contexts include:

• Administration & Politics: On official documents, seals, flags, and buildings of the city administration.
• History & Culture: In historical depictions, museums, publications about city history.
• Tourism & Identity: As a city identifier on souvenirs, signs, in travel guides. It strengthens local identity.
• Heraldry (Heraldik or Wappenkunde): As a technical term in the study of coats of arms.

It's a specific term, distinct from Landeswappen (state coat of arms) or Bundeswappen (federal coat of arms).

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Article Mnemonic: Think of das Symbol or das Sign. A coat of arms (Wappen) is a type of symbol or sign, and das Symbol / das Zeichen are neuter. So, it's das Stadtwappen.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine a Stadt (city) proudly wearing its Wappen (coat of arms) like a badge on its chest. That's its identifying symbol: the Stadtwappen.

🔄 Similar and Contrasting Terms

Synonyms (Similar Meaning):

• Wappen der Stadt: A common descriptive phrase ("coat of arms of the city").
• Kommunalwappen: A broader term including coats of arms of municipalities or districts ("communal coat of arms").
• Stadtsiegel: Often historically linked; the seal impression frequently contains the coat of arms ("city seal").
• Stadtemblem: A more general term for a city symbol, not necessarily strictly heraldic ("city emblem").

Antonyms/Contrasts (Different Meaning):

• Landeswappen: The coat of arms of a federal state (e.g., the Bavarian coat of arms).
• Bundeswappen: The coat of arms of a country (e.g., the German federal eagle).
• Familienwappen: Coat of arms of a family.
• Flagge/Fahne: Another representative symbol (flag), often designed incorporating the coat of arms.

⚠️ Be careful: Don't confuse das Stadtwappen with die Stadtmauer (city wall) or der Stadtplan (city map).

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Tourist den Bürgermeister: "Warum ist auf Ihrem Stadtwappen ein Bett abgebildet?"
Antwortet der Bürgermeister: "Das soll unsere schlafende Wirtschaft symbolisieren!"

--- Translation ---

A tourist asks the mayor: "Why is there a bed depicted on your city's coat of arms?"
The mayor replies: "That's meant to symbolize our sleeping economy!"

📜 A Short Poem

Auf Schild und Banner, alt und hehr,
das Stadtwappen, es erzählt so sehr.
Von Mauern stark, von Fluss und Tor,
Ein Zeichen stolz, tritt es hervor.
Es zeigt der Stadt Gesicht und Sinn,
Ein Stück Geschichte mittendrin.

--- Translation ---

On shield and banner, old and grand,
The city's coat of arms, tells much across the land.
Of walls so strong, of river, gate,
A symbol proud, determining fate.
It shows the city's face and core,
A piece of history, and much more.

❓ A Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Bild, doch kein Porträt,
Ein Symbol, das für die Stadt besteht.
Auf Briefen, Fahnen, oft zu seh'n,
Soll ihre Ehre repräsentier'n.

Was bin ich?

--- Translation ---

I am an image, but not a portrait,
A symbol that stands for the city's sort.
On letters, flags, often displayed,
To represent its honor, carefully made.

What am I?

Solution: Das Stadtwappen (The city coat of arms)

💡 More Interesting Facts

Word Composition: The word Stadtwappen is a compound noun, composed of:

• die Stadt: Refers to the city.
• das Wappen: Refers to the coat of arms / heraldic shield.

Heraldry (Heraldik): The design of coats of arms follows specific rules of heraldry. Colors (Tinkturen) and symbols (gemeine Figuren, Heroldsbilder) often have established meanings.

Granting: City coats of arms are often officially granted or approved, usually by a higher authority.