klaus-michael schneider
Keywords: greifswald | griffin(red) | stripes(7) |
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Last modified: 2020-04-11 by klaus-michael schneider
Keywords: greifswald | griffin(red) | stripes(7) |
Links: FOTW homepage |
search |
disclaimer and copyright |
write us |
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![[Greifswald city flag]](../images/d/de-gw-gw.gif)
4:7 
image by Jens Pattke, modified by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 12 Dec 2001
According to source the proportions of the stripes are 3:3:10:48:10:3:3 and the griffin should occupy 3/8 of the flag height. These sizes are not fixed in the specifications, they are just those which are currently used.
Sources: Staack 1997 and Günther 1998a and §1(7) of the local Hauptsatzung, last updated on 16 December 2019
Stefan Schwoon, 13 Feb 2001
![[Greifswald Unofficial Variant#1]](../images/d/de-gw-gw1.gif) 4:7 image by Stefan Schwoon, 13 Feb 2001 |
![[Greifswald Unofficial Variant#2]](../images/d/de-gw-gw2.gif) 3:5 image by Stefan Schwoon, 13 Feb 2001 |
The right imagehas been used since 1994 as unofficial flag with ratio of stripes 4:2:1:13:1:2:4. According to Stefan Schwoon, the left image above was the version being used immediately after 1990 with ratio of broader stripes 3:3:10:48:10:3:3.
Günther 2001 shows this illustration with the Greifswald flags until 1990/94 (ill. 55), since 1994 (ill. 56), the variant in accordance with city law (ill. 57) and the Schiffsflagge (ship flag, ill. 58). No official details on Greifswald city flag exist for the time period from 1990 to 1994.
Jens Pattke, 12 Dec 2001
Shield Argent, a griffin rampant Gules armed Or on top of a split branch proper.
Meaning:
The city was built on an uninhabited area of the Eldena Abbey, established in 1199 by Prince Jaromir I of Rügen. The location gained special privileges, especially in 1209 the privilege to settle down colonists, in 1241 that of a common market town, granted by Prince Wizlaw I of Rügen and Duke Wartislaw III of Pommern-Demmin. It became a fiefdom of Pommern in 1249 and in 1250 Wartislaw III granted city rights and a bit later the city became a member of the Hanseatic League. In 1456 the university was established as some kind of joint venture by Duke Wartislaw IX, Bishop Henning Iven of Cammin and mayor Heinrich Rubenow. Eldena Abbey suffered under the 30-Years-War and was nearly completely destroyed during the Great Northern War.
The first print of a city seal from 1262 displayed the griffin, holding a broken branch by his right forepaw. The current arms are based on a city seal from 1308. Griffin and stomp together are canting, as the name of the city means "griffin's wood". Furthermore the griffin as a ducal symbol is connected with the tree as a proper city symbol.
Source: Hans-Heinz Schütt:"Auf Schild und Flagge" , Schwerin 2011, pp.330-332
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 10 Apr 2020
Flag arms are traditional and were confirmed in 1994 by Minister of Interior of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The flag is in use since 1922. Both were published in the Municipal Roll of Arms Mecklenburg-Vorpommern as no.69.
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 10 Apr 2020
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