German Empire
The Reichsadler had already been introduced at the Proclamation of Versailles, although the first version had been only a provisional one. The design of the eagle had been altered at least twice during the German Empire (1871–1918). It shows the imperial eagle, a realistic black eagle, with the crown of the Holy Roman Empire. The eagle has a red head and claws, with open wings and feathers, but only one head, looking to the right. This is in contrast to its predecessor, the eagle of the German Confederation, because it symoblised that important parts of the old empire, Austria and Bohemia, were not part of this new empire. Its legal basis was an imperial rescript:
To the Reich Chancellor Prince of Bismarck. Following your report of June 27 of this year I authorize: 1. that public authorities and public servants, appointed by the Emperor according the requirements of the constitution and the laws of the German Empire, are to be called imperial; 2. that the black, one-headed, rightward-looking eagle with red beak, tongue and claws, without scepter and orb, on the breast shield the Prussian eagle, overlaid with the shield of the House of Hohenzollern, over the same the crown in the form of the crown of Charlemagne, but with two crossing bows, may be brought into use; 3. that the Imperial standard —Kaiser Wilhelm, Rescript of August third, 1871, concerning the names of the public authorities and public servants of the German Empire, as well as the declaration of the Imperial coat of arms and the Imperial standard| The coats of arms of the German Empire (1871–1918). | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The greater coat of arms of the German Emperor: Imperial Coat of arms of His Majesty. | The coat of arms of the German Emperor with a crest: Imperial Coat of arms of His Majesty. | Provisional arms of the German Empire at the Proclamation of Versailles.
27 April 1871–3 August 1871 |
The coat of arms of the German Empire, 1871–1889.
3 August 1871 – 1888 |
The coat of arms of the German Empire, 1889–1918.
6 December 1888 – 1918 |
Read more about this topic: Coat Of Arms Of Germany
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