Rheine

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

RHEINE

State : Nordrhein-Westfalen
District (Kreis) : Steinfurt
Additions : 1975 Elte, Mesum, Rheine links der Ems, Rheine rechts der Ems

Official blazon

In Gold ein roter Balken, der belegt ist mit drei sechsstrahligen, auf eine Spitze gestellten goldenen Sternen.

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on

Rheine received city rights in 1327 from the Bishop of Münster, Ludwig II of Hessen. The oldest known seal dates from the middle of the 14^th century and shows St. Paul as supporter behind two shields, the above arms and the arms of Münster. The latter was later removed. The arms of the city are also derived from the arms of Münster. Initially only the stars were added to distinguish the two arms. In the 17^th century the colours were changed to silver-red-gold (from gold-red-silver), in the early 18^th century to the present gold-red-gold.