The coat of arms of Rhineland-Palatinate was, along with the flag of Rhineland-Palatinate, designed in 1947 after the new of was formed by the authority of the French High Commissioner to Germany. The flag symbolizes the dedication of Rhineland-Palatinate to Germany (therefore the black-red-gold tricolour) as well as the democratic traditions of Germany. These colours were seen first in this combination during the , a mass demonstration by German liberals at the ruins of the in 1832. The Palatinate is therefore connected to these colours.
The coat of arms, an integral part of the state flag, symbolises the three predominant powers in the region before the French Revolution of the late 18th century:
the red cross on silver represents the Archbishop and prince-elector () of Trier the silver wheel on red (Wheel of Mainz) represents the Archbishop and prince-elector of Mainz the crowned golden lion on black represents the prince-elector of the Palatinate (see: Palatine Lion)
The (people's crown) consists of vine leaves and shows the importance of this crop for local agriculture.
Legal status
References
See also Coat of arms of Prussia Coat of arms of Germany Origin of the coats of arms of German federal states