8 German Symbols And Their Meanings
Are you looking for German symbols and their meanings?
Germany is a country in central Europe and known for a lot of interesting things. Beer, bread, and sausage are some of the favorite foods of Germans.
The government offers free and high-quality education to German and non-German students. The majority of the land is still covered by forests and other types of woodland.
But the most important aspect is that Germany possesses a diverse culture, and they use symbols to represent their background and customs.
In order to gain a better understanding of German culture and beliefs, the following are the German symbols for love, peace, and strength.
8 German Symbols And Their Meanings
German Symbols for Love
Blue Flower
In German, blue flower is translated as Blaue Blume. A blue flower is a symbol of infinite love and desire. It is also a symbol used to express happiness, admiration, and excitement. The cool and relaxing color of blue is an important symbol for Germans to signify their love for other people.
But the blue flower was first introduced into the Romantic movement. On the other hand, through the unfinished coming-of-age story, German author Novalis used the blue flower in his story entitled Heinrich von Ofterdingen.
Heinrich von Ofterdingen, a young man, has a dream in which he sees a blue flower after he has been considering the prospect of conversing with a person he has never seen before. The flower beckons to him and captures his attention. From then on, blue flower became a symbol for love in Germans.
Hauyne
Hauyne or also referred to as hauynite, is a sulfate mineral known for its very bright blue color. It has a unique feature because of its perfect cleavage which is very rare for stones. The term ‘hauyne’ was named after the famous French mineralogist R.J Hauy.
Hauyne is small crystal found in other bigger minerals. But the hauyne is a representation of love and joy. The symbol radiates positive emotions and conveys a message that love should be a two-way street by giving and receiving.
It also expresses a person’s feeling in terms of giving their best even though sometimes it is uncomfortable for them. In other words, hauyne represents that love is unconditional and free.
Dog
Dogs have a special space in Germans’ hearts because Germany is a dog-friendly country. Many people believe that living in Germany as a dog must be a wonderful experience.
They are allowed in a wide variety of public places, including subways, retail stores, and even dining establishments. However, regulations and training must be considered when planning to have dogs as a pet and remember to be responsible dog owners.
A little trivia, Great Dane is the national breed of Germany. It is known for their long neck and elegant, fierce look, but they are smart and sensitive dogs.
Dogs are a man’s best friend. They are known for their loyalty. It is also represented as a symbol of love and unwavering loyalty because of the relationship they share with their owners. They can be the owner’s stress reliever. They tend to be faithful to their owner and the owner’s family as well.
German Symbols for Peace/Unity
The National Flag of Germany
The flag of the Federal Republic of Germany is comprised of three horizontal bands of color: black, red, and gold. Originally, the German flag had black, white, and red colors.
Not until after World War 1 the flag was replaced by black, red, and yellow, with the latter color eventually being changed into gold.
The flag’s colors represent unity and liberty. Revolutions, the Federal Republic, and the Weimar Republic are all associated with it. On the other hand, the flag of Germany serves as an official representation of the constitutional law that maintains peace and order throughout the country and its people.
Broken Rifle
One of the countries that actively works to advance democracy and human rights in other parts of the world is Germany.
They have prioritized contributing to global peace and security and cultivating friendly relations with other countries. It can also be seen on their national motto “Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit”, which means “Unity and Justice and Freedom.”
Germans use the broken rifle as a symbol of peace. In fact, in the year 1919, the German League for War Victims used the broken rifle on their banner to advocate liberty and freedom. The broken rifle symbol is often represented with two hands holding a rifle broken into two.
Symbols for peace like the broken rifle symbol are important in maintaining peace and tranquility in the country. It makes people understand that war is not the solution to any problem and that peace and democracy are key to avoiding war and violence.
German symbols for strength
Iron Cross
In Germany, the Iron Cross is referred to as the Eisernes Kreuz, and it has played a significant role in their history. It is a black cross symbol outlined with colors white or silver.
The Iron cross was first used as a military decoration in the Kingdom of Prussia. However, it was later adopted by the German Empire as a way to recognize individuals for their contributions to the German military. The Iron Cross is a reward that represents bravery and heroism on the battlefield.
The symbol of the Iron Cross has gained popularity among bikers. It is used to promote the image of a tough guy and is also used as a symbol of defiance and independence. However, the German Iron Cross has the worst reputation of all the military decorations.
It is a reward that represents strength and bravery, but because of Adolf Hitler, it is also associated with Nazism, which displays extreme racist behavior.
Eagle
Many countries consider the eagle a powerful symbol. It can be seen in flags, coins, clothing, and others. In Germany, their national bird is the golden eagle. Like any other culture, Germans believe that the eagle symbolizes strength, courage, and alertness.
Eagles are considered to be the kings of the air, which is why it has powerful symbolism in different countries.
Eagle can be seen in the German coat of arms. It is represented by a black eagle with red feet, tongue, and beak on a golden background.
The German coat of arms is believed to be the oldest known coat of arms in the world. It was first introduced as the coat of arms of Germany in 1928 and was officially adopted in 1950.
In addition, German tribes believed that the eagle displayed on the coat of arms was the bird of Odin, the supreme god because the eagle has a huge resemblance to it.
Oak Tree
Another German symbol for peace is the oak tree. It has been used to symbolize strength, power, and protection, which is why a country like Germany considers it as its national tree. The oak leaves can also be seen on many coins, particularly their 5-cent euro coin.
But why is an oak tree considered to be the symbol of strength? What are its characteristics?
Oak trees are commonly associated with the concepts of wisdom, strength, and power. This is likely due to the powerful characteristics that oak trees possess.
Certain varieties of oak trees can stay green throughout the year. Because of its durability and ability to withstand for centuries without rotting, oak tree trunks are frequently used in the construction of furniture and other types of wooden crafts.
Symbols play an important role in a country’s history. National symbols, for example, are formal representations intended to instill pride and unity among the people of the nation.
Knowing a country’s iconic symbols allows people to learn about its history and traditions. Symbols can also serve as a constant reminder to value one’s culture.
