Schapen

About the place: Schapen is a municipality in the district of Emsland in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is part of the collective municipality (Samtgemeinde) of Spelle in the southern Emsland region.

Flag Description: The flag consists of three horizontal stripes of red, green, and red. Posited towards the hoist side is the municipal coat of arms. The shield of the coat of arms is red, charged with a green bend sinister-like diagonal band bordered on both sides by narrow wavy silver (white) lines. In the upper right area from the viewer's perspective (heraldic upper sinister), there is a standing white sheep facing left (towards the hoist). In the lower left area (heraldic lower dexter), there is a white clay urn.

Symbolism: The name of the municipality, 'Schapen', is historically linked to sheep ('Schaf'), represented directly by the standing sheep in the coat of arms. The prehistoric urn signifies local archaeological discoveries and ancient settlement in the area. The green diagonal band with wavy silver lines symbolizes the agricultural nature of the land and local waterways.