Dijk en Waard has existed as a new municipality for more than three months, but it did not yet have its own coat of arms and no chain of office. That has changed since yesterday: the Heerhugowaard heron and the Langedijker lion are now united and immortalized.
The new chain of office and weapon were unveiled yesterday. Acting mayor Peter Rehwinkel was given the chain, which could be officially put into use that same evening during the city council meeting.
“I’m still looking at it myself,” Rehwinkel said after the meeting. “The symbolism is special. The chain of office makes the municipality of Dijk en Waard tangible.”
The ‘mayor’s chain’ is made in Zeist. Media partner Dike and Worth Central was there with the camera:
Why do mayors wear a chain?
The chain of office was introduced in the nineteenth century on the recommendation of Thorbecke, Minister of the Interior under King William III. He wanted mayors to be more recognizable by wearing a chain of office.
In a Royal Decree of 1852 it was stated what a chain of office should look like, because not every chain is a chain of office. For example, it must not contain precious stones or emeralds and it must be made of sterling silver. In addition, the chain must be adjustable in length. In addition, each chain has a medal with the municipal coat of arms on one side and the national coat of arms on the other.