Coat of arms of Austria
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The Coat of Arms of Austria has been used since the end of World War I to symbolize Austria. The double headed eagle, symbolizing the old Austro-Hungarian Empire was replaced with a single headed eagle.
On the chest of the eagle is located the old shield of the Duchy of Austria, this same design forms the basis for the flag of Austria. The eagle's claws hold a golden sickle and a golden hammer. While at first sight this might lead to an association with the Communist hammer and sickle, the golden mural crown on the head of the eagle makes it clear, that these three merely represent the unity of the three "classes" (workers, peasants and bourgeoisie class) in the republic, not the two classes of Communism.
The broken iron chain between the two claws indicates liberation from fascism and was added after World War II.
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