klaus-michael schneider
Keywords: anklam | griffin | arrowhead | wall |
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Last modified: 2020-05-04 by klaus-michael schneider
Keywords: anklam | griffin | arrowhead | wall |
Links: FOTW homepage |
search |
disclaimer and copyright |
write us |
mirrors
![[Anklam city flag]](../images/d/de-gw-an.gif)
3:5 
image by Stefan Schwoon, 18 Dec 2011
It is a vertical blue-white-red tricolour with ratio 1:2:1. In the centre of the white stripe is the traditional coat of arms.
Source: Günther 1998
Erwin Günther, translated by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 18 Dec 2011
![[Anklam variant]](../images/d/de-gw-an2.gif)
3:5 image by Jan Oskar Engene, 13 May 1996
Anklam is a city of ca. 18,000 citizens in the Pomeranian part of Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, seat of Ostvorpommern county. The flag is that of Pomerania, dark blue over white, with the coat of arms of Anklam on it. The coat of arms shows a red griffin armed golden (= yellow) of Pomerania over a grey town wall (for Anklam) on a blue field. The griffin is holding the symbol of Stralsund (a bundle of three straight horns, musical instruments). [On an actual flag I saw] above the shield was the word Anklam in white, underneath it the word Vorpommern [Hither Pomerania] in black. I tried asking the people representing the town whether the words were officially a part of the flag or just put there for convenience, but I did not get a clear answer. To my knowledge Anklam was kicked out of the Hansa back in the 1500's or 1600's, when revolting citizens murdered the senate and the mayor, but this information needs verification.
Tilo Moede, 15 May 1997
![[Anklam flag#1 (until 1950)]](../images/d/de-gw-an3a.gif) 3:5 speculative image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 3 May 2020 |
![[Anklam flag#2 (until 1950)]](../images/d/de-gw-an3b.gif) 3:5 speculative image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 3 May 2020 |
Before WW2 the citizens used horizontal blue over white over blue tribands with ratio 1:2:1. The coat of arms was in the centre of the white stripe, either with Renaissance shield (see left image above) or Iberian shield (see right image above). Those flags were hardly ever used after 1950.
Sources: Günther 1998 and Erwin Günther: "Wappen und Flaggen der Kreise und Kreisstädte in Pommern" , Usti nad Labem 2000, p.114, based on "Brockhaus Enzyklopedie, Bd.23", Wiesbaden 1976, Rubrik Städteflaggen
Erwin Günther, translated by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 18 Dec 2011
Shield Azure, an impending embattled wall Argent with an open gate in its centre with roof Or topped by a ball of the same, on top of the wall a griffin statant Gules, armed and tail-ended Or, holding an arrowhead Or by his forepaws.
Meaning:
Anklam was first mentioned as a city in 1264 by Duke Barnim I of Pommern and became a member of the Hanseatic League in 1283. In the 16th century the city declined to a Pomeranian market town and due to destructions in the 30-Years-War its descent increased. The city became a part of Sweden in 1648 and of Prussia in 1720. In the 19th century the city rose again due to the settling of industries. Anklam had been seat of the namesake county since 1818 and since 1994 seat of Ostvorpommern County. The famous aviator Otto Lilienthal (1848-1896) was born in Anklam.
The arms are based on a city seal from 1284 with a sinister facing griffin passant without arrowhead. The wall is symbolising a fortified city. The griffin is alluding to the Dukes of Pommern, who founded the city. The arrowhead is taken from the arms of Stralsund and was added in the 14th century. It is probably referring to the Treaty of Stralsund between King Valdemar IV "Atterdag" of Denmark and the Hanseatic League. The peace between both opponents gave a boost to the development of the city.
Source: Hans-Heinz Schütt:"Auf Schild und Flagge" , Schwerin 2011, pp.353-355
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 10 Apr 2020
The local council adopted the flag on 23 October 1997. The flag was approved on 23 January 1998 by Minister of Interior of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and published in the Municipal Roll of Arms Mecklenburg-Vorpommern as no.89. The arms were adopted by the city in 1808 and confirmed in 1995.
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 10 Apr 2020
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