Hesse
stateslioncoat of armsheraldic
The flag of Hesse features the state coat of arms on a red and white horizontal bicolor. The arms display a blue and white striped lion rampant on a red shield, crowned in gold. This heraldic lion, known as the 'Hessian Lion' (Hessischer Löwe), has represented the region since the 13th century when Landgrave Heinrich I of Hesse adopted it. The lion's distinctive blue and white striping (known as 'burelé') makes it instantly recognizable among German heraldic charges. The red-over-white field reflects the traditional colors of Hesse.
Frankfurt, Hesse's largest city, is home to the European Central Bank and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, making it the financial capital of continental Europe.
Adopted: 1948
