The Coat of Arms

The royal Hohenzollern full coat of arms contains seven shields and seven helmets. The shield divided into four quarters is the heart shield, the others are spread over six spaces. The historical Zollern heraldic beast, the hound, is used to support the shield. The full coat of arms corresponds to the main titles of the Hohenzollern princes: N.N. of God’s Mercy, Prince of Hohenzollern, Earl of Nuremberg, Count of Sigmaringen, Veringen and Berg, Lord of Haigerloch and Wehrstein.

The coat of arms is broken up as follows
(pic. 1 - observer's view):

1. Heart shield: Silver / black quartered Zollern shield.
2. Above left : EARLDOM OF NUREMBERG. Upward climbing lion, pieced frame (since 1214)
3. Above right: OFFICE OF TREASURER Two crossed sceptres against a red background.
4. Middle left: HAIGERLOCH and WEHRSTEIN. Silver / red stripes (since 1634)
5. Middle right: EARLDOM OF SIGMARINGEN. A golden stag against red background (since 1535)
6. Below left: COUNTY OF VERINGEN. Stag's antlers on a golden background. The first two with four prongs the third with three prongs (since 1535)
7. Below right: COUNTY OF BERG. Upward climbing red lion. The frame with two golden balls (since 1781). The shield holder are two Zollern hounds with silver / black quartered ears.

Seven helmets with their accompanying crests lie on the shield (from left to right: Veringen, Haigerloch and Wehrstein, Hohenzollern, Lord Chamberlain, Nuremberg, Sigmaringen, Berg).

Heraldic Motto:
Lat. Lat. “NIHIL SINE DEO” (Nothing without God). Conceived during the 19th century. The original Hohenzollern heraldic motto was: “Hie guet Zollere allwege” (We were always loyal Zollerns).

Office of Lord Chamberlain:
The office was once a permanent position at court. When it was bestowed upon the Hohenzollerns it was more an honorary title, attached to certain duties at court. The Lord Chamberlain was required to be present at coronations and crown investitures.
Count Eitelfriedrich von Hohenzollern applied to Elector Joachim I of Brandenburg (imperial treasurer – was responsible for the distribution of the position) for the post of Lord Chamberlain, which was granted by Kaiser Maximilian.