371. Which coat of arms belongs to the federal state of Saarland?

Answer options

1. 1
2. 2
3. 3
4. 4

Explanation

Saarland’s state arms are quartered, combining the heraldic emblems of the region’s historic polities: Nassau‑Saarbrücken (a crowned golden lion on blue semé of golden billets), Electoral Trier (argent with a red cross), Lorraine (or with a red bend bearing three silver alérions), and the Electoral Palatinate/Zweibrücken (a black, red‑armed lion on gold). This composition signals the borderland position between the Rhineland/Holy Roman Empire and France and the region’s fragmented lordship history. As a symbol of Land statehood, the arms reflect Germany’s federal order, with Länder autonomy guaranteed by Arts. 30 and 70 of the Basic Law and structurally protected by the eternity clause in Art. 79(3). Historically, Saarland became a Land following the 1935 and 1955 plebiscites and the 1956 Saar Treaty, acceding to the Federal Republic on 1 January 1957 and achieving full economic integration on “Tag X” in 1959.