Many theories are opposed concerning the origin of the coat of arms of Berlin.

The first theory is based on the fact that bears were hunted in the forest around Berlin.

Another theory, is the phonic representation, as bear is "bär" in German.

Today, the bear stands up on a silver background.

This representation comes from the sovereignty of the "land" of Berlin in 1945.









Many families choose the bear on their coat of arms, as you can see for the Gelas of Lautrec.

Places also choose the bear as "Ossau" valley, wellknown in the Pyrenees for its bears.

Others show one bear fighting with the cry " Ussau and Bearn, viva la vaca "








Copyright "The  passion of bears" from Dominique Pascal



The Bear has an important place in the heraldry not only in France but especially in the German alpine countries.

It is on the coat of arms of countries towns, orders of knighthood, or coat of arms of clergy. Many families recognizing themselves as stemed from an ursine ancestor, having names remindind bear.

Théodore de Renesse in his dictionnary of coats of arms, registred 530 French and foreign families, who chose the bear to decorate their coat of arms.

Updating the 17th march 2012. During a linguistic stay in England, in Warwick , I observed  on several occasions a coat of arms which has questionned me.  Some researches allow me to learn more. 

The bear and the Ragged Staff


© Geneviève Hamelin

Here is the coat of arms of Warwickshire County Council in 1931. It is composed of various elements, combining the county's past and present.  we can see a silver bear with red muzzle and gold collar and chain supporting a silver ragged staff on a red shield, with three red crosses on a gold band at the top, the whole surmounted by a crown.
 

© Geneviève Hamelin

© Geneviève Hamelin