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Pirna's coat of arms
On August 23, 1549, Pirna received the coat of arms which is still in use today from future emperor Ferdinand I. Despite the similar sounding words "Pirna" and "Birne" (German for pear), there seems to be no connection between the two.
Slavic "na pernem" means "on the hard" (sandstone), referring to the origins of the castle.
Pirna's coat of arms shows three hills on a golden shield. A pear tree with branch stumps along its trunk stands on the central hill. On top of the tree, there is green foliage and seven golden pears. Two ruby red lions face the tree from each side. Both stand upright with protruding tongues, and thrown-back tails, their hind claws hooked in the hills and their front claws into the tree trunk. On top of the shield there is a tournament helmet adorned with golden and ruby red mantling. Set upon the helmet is a three-tined crown out of which another pear tree grows.
Pirna's coat of arms from before 1549 can still be seen at the Eastern side of the old Town Hall entrance, between pilasters and a staggered structure with dolphins. The painted 1555 coat of arms of Electoral Saxony can be seen underneath the 3rd floor.
