The Freising Moor

Moor's Head: Bishopric Coat of Arms

This is a controversial charge in the Freising Coat of Arms, which could represent one of many different persons:

+ One of the three Magi (one of them is shown as a moor)

+ Saints who were, or probably were, moors

+ St. Mauritius

+ St. Zeno

+ St. Sigismund (mixed up with St. Mauritius)

+ St. Corbinian, who was not a moor, but whose pictures might have become darker over time.

+ Other person or meaning lost in time

It is important to note the crown on the moor's head, which probably indicated that the territory of the Bishop of Freising was autonomous.

Cardinal Ratzinger's Episcopal Coat of Arms

Saint Corbinian's Bear: City of  Freising Coat of  Arms

It is instructive that the only element added by Pope Benedict is the pilgrim shell, to which he also referred upon his abdication among his last words on the last day of his papacy.

 I am simply a pilgrim beginning the last leg of his pilgrimage on this earth.