Bonn received city rights probably in the early 13th century. The oldest seal, known since 1250, shows the patron saint, St. Cassius, depicted as a knight. The next seal, dating from the 14th century, shows the cross of Köln and the lion. The area was part of the diocese of Köln. The lion is a symbol for the old 'Dingstuhl' or justice-place. The lion is often named 'Wölfchen' (little wolf) or 'Leopard' and is sometimes shown standing on a boar. On the ante-seals of the city only the lion is shown. The colours have changed through the years, first the lion was red and the field was either silver or gold, changed to blue from 1732 until 1971 (left picture) and finally in 1971 the present colours were granted. The lion also changed from looking to the right to looking to the viewer in 1971.