[1] This can be interpreted as a blue field with a lion of eight horizontal red-and-white-stripes, with a gold crown and claws, with eight white/silver stars.

[2] The current law, Verordnung zur Ausführung des Gesetzes über die Hoheitszeichen des Landes prescribed its use, including banning use by third parties,[3] use of the coat of arms on the seal[3] and use of the arms on the State flag.

Later generations of the house gained control of more of Thuringia and parts of West Franconia around Hessengau (today northern Hesse) and became counts palatine of Saxony.

In 1137 they became landgraves, a position comparable to that of a duke and which was imperially immediate (i.e. they were subject only to the emperor and not to any intermediate feudal lord).

In 1264 the eastern parts of the landgraviate, which lay in modern Thuringia, were united with the Margraviate of Meissen following the War of the Thuringian Succession.