Since one of the most common stereotypes about the city of Amsterdam is that it is rife with sex tourism, the triple X symbol that can be seen throughout the city may come as a little surprise, but it really has to do with the reputation of the city or famous Red Light District? No way; the triple X in the Amsterdam coat of arms turns out to be just a coincidence symbolizing the city’s historical and cultural heritage.
The coat of arms of Amsterdam is the official symbol of the city, and as a result, it can be found on everything from well covers to utility poles to government buildings. It consists of a red and pale black shield with three silver crosses, two golden lions, the Imperial Crown of Austria and the motto of Amsterdam: “Heldhaftig, Vastberaden, Barmhartig” (“Heroic, Steadfast, Compassionate”).
The three Xs are actually the silver Saint Andrew Crosses, also known as saltiers, a common heraldic symbol throughout the world and the type of cross on which Saint Andrew is said to have been crucified, however there are some theories in competence over the meaning of this particular part of the coat of arms.
If you are traveling to Amsterdam, be sure to keep an eye out for this triple X symbol throughout the city, from traffic bollards to the Red Light District, but also remember that it has nothing to do with sex tourism and everything to do with heritage. cultural.
Theories about the meaning of XXX
There are various theories as to what the triple Xs mean, from representative symbolism to inherited religious iconography, but none of them can be verified as the actual source of meaning for this iconic symbol.
Although it is not based on historical texts, one of the most popular theories is that the three Xs represent the three problems that the city has faced repeatedly throughout history: floods, fires and the Black Death; however, there is no mention in any official text about the creation of the flag or coat of arms that makes reference to these natural disasters.
Another theory posits that the Xs actually represent the three traditional kisses that the Dutch exchange to say hello and say goodbye, but again, that has no basis in historical documents or records.
The theory that is probably closest to the truth, then, is that the crosses were taken from the coat of arms of the family that once owned Amsterdam, the Persijn family, and refer to the three properties of the family: Amsterdam , Ouder-Amstel and Nieuwer-Amstel (now Amstelveen). Pale black, a heraldic term for a vertical band, running down the shield would represent the Amstel River, in which these three cities were located.
History of the Amsterdam coat of arms
Amsterdam’s official coat of arms is rich in symbolism representing the diverse history that created this thriving city. For example, the two lions, added in the 16th century, flank the shield as official shield bearers, although not much is known why these creatures were chosen to represent the city.
Above the shield is the Imperial Crown of Austria; In the 15th century, Amsterdam was rewarded with permission to use the imperial crown of Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I on its coat of arms in exchange for financial support it gave Maximilian in times of war; This was considered a favorable endorsement of the city far and wide. When the personal crown of the Catholic emperor became the Imperial Crown of Austria (under the successor of Maximilian I, Rudolf II), the city of Amsterdam updated its coat of arms to the new crown.
The silver scroll below the shield, the most recent addition, contains the Amsterdam motto: » Heldhaftig, Vastberaden, Barmhartig ,» Heroic, Steadfast, Compassionate «. Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, the grandmother of the current Queen Beatrix, introduced the scroll. to commemorate the February 1941 strike when non-Jews in Amsterdam rose up to protest the Nazi persecution of the city’s Jewish population. This was the first and one of the only strikes of its kind in occupied Europe. The parchment was added in 1947 and has since been stamped onto surfaces throughout the city.
Where to spot the XXX symbol in Amsterdam
If you visit Amsterdam and have a relatively good view, it will be difficult to miss the three Xs: they are literally everywhere in the city, even on the manhole covers and posts that prevent cars from climbing up the sidewalks (locally known as Amsterdammertjes ), even city services like garbage collectors and postal workers have triple Xs in their vehicles.
Both the coat of arms and the triple X symbols appear throughout the city, although the Xs are most often found on their own. Advertisements referring to the city have even started to use XXX as a replacement for the name of the city, such as the “XXX (Heart) Bikes” campaign.
Just remember that this symbol has nothing to do with the burgeoning sex tourism industry in the city, so feel free to enter the Church of Saint Nicholas or The Hague (the capital building of Amsterdam) just because their doors bear the symbol. XXX.
