From Heraldry of the World |Heraldry of the World| Civic
heraldry of Germany - Deutsche Wappen
(Gemeindewappen/Kreiswappen) The old arms (above left) were
granted on January 22, 1935, and slightly changed in 1990, but
not officially granted (above right). The golden wall is taken
from the historical arms of the Oberlausitz region. The base
symbolises the rivers Spree and Schwarze Elster. The oak
symbolises the forests in the region. The arms were abolished in
1945, but used again from 1948-1952. From 1952-1990 the district
used no arms. The arms were redesigned in 1990 and used until
1996. Literature : Leisering, 2000.