The coat of arms of Hesse was introduced in 1949. It is based on the historical coat of arms of the Ludovingian landgraves of Hesse and Thuringia. The lion on the modern arms does not wear a crown or hold a sword, as it does on the arms of the Grand Duchy.
History
See also Coat of arms of Prussia Coat of arms of Germany Coat of arms of Thuringia, which has a similar appearance. Origin of the coats of arms of German federal states.
References