You can find them all over Fürth: three-leaf clovers. It is the central element of the city coat of arms. Yet why does the clover logo adorn the facades of buildings and even manhole covers, street lamps and fences?
Theories differ, as you might guess:
- It might have something to do with Fürth's triumvirate. This, at least, is how it was interpreted by Fürth’s first mayor, Joseph Bäumen, who added it to the city’s stamp in 1693. The cloverleaf appeared for the first time in 1562 on the seal of the Bamberg magistrate Johann Hornung. However, there are no historical grounds to back up this theory.
- Another explanation for the use of the three-leaf clover might be the long prevalence of the three religions. In Fürth, Protestants, Catholics and Jews coexisted peacefully. However, there are no historical facts to give substance to this idea, either.
- Another suggestion is that the three-leaf clover refers to Fürth with its green pastures and trees nestling between the water meadows of the Rednitz, Pegnitz and Regnitz.
Either way, the people of Fürth love their cloverleaf. Despite the fact it only has three leaves, we are still convinced that our cloverleaf truly is a lucky charm.