Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832)
Azure, an estoile within a bordure Argent.
The above rendition of Goethe's coat-of-arms is from a drawing by Jochen Wilke.
The full picture [at 4 times the above resolution] was received on 2004-06-03.
[ © 2004
Jochen Wilke. This
copyrighted image is
reproduced here by permission. ]
In lieu of a motto, Wilke's original picture features a famous quote
from the last
verses of
Faust
(Goethe's masterpiece, 1808 & 1832) which is reminiscent of
the allegory of
Plato's Cave.
Goethe himself apparently didn't sport any motto.
Alles Vergängliche ist nur ein Gleichnis.
[ Every fleeting thing is but an appearance. ]
