What Are the Three XXXs of Amsterdam
The three XXXs you see everywhere in Amsterdam are three Saint Andrew’s crosses placed vertically on the city’s flag and coat of arms. These look like three white “X” shapes on a black stripe between red stripes on the city flag. (Wikipedia)
The official heraldic term for an X-shaped cross is a saltire. In this case the symbol refers to Saint Andrew, an apostle crucified on an X-shaped cross in the 1st century. (amsterdamforvisitors.com)
This design is part of Amsterdam’s coat of arms which also includes the Imperial Crown of Austria, two lions, and the city motto “Heldhaftig, Vastberaden, Barmhartig” (in English “Valiant, Steadfast, Compassionate”). (Wikipedia)
The History of the XXX Symbols
The symbol goes back many centuries:
- The coat of arms appears in documents from the early 1400s. (Amsterdam Tourist Information)
- The crosses were part of symbols used by the Persijn family, a noble medieval family that once ruled the area, and the design was adopted in Amsterdam. (Wikipedia)
- Amsterdam’s flag with the three crosses was made official in 1975, though the design was already used informally before that. (Wikipedia)
- The city motto below the coat of arms was added after World War II in honor of local resistance efforts. (Amsterdam Tourist Information)
There is no historical record that the three crosses were originally meant to represent specific concepts like disasters or values; that meaning came later in city storytelling. (DutchReview)
Where You See the XXXs in Amsterdam
The symbol is everywhere in the city. Common places include:
- City flag and coat of arms signage. (Wikipedia)
- Amsterdammertjes, the small poles blocking cars on pavements, often stamped with the three crosses. (Wikipedia)
- Manhole covers, bike racks, buildings, souvenir items (cups, shirts, postcards). (amsterdamforvisitors.com)
- University of Amsterdam logo, adapted from the city arms. (Wikipedia)
You’ll also see it casually used in branding, art, and public furniture. The symbol is so common that locals regard it as a mark of civic identity. (Flickr)
What People Think the XXXs Mean
There’s a mix of meanings people give to the three XXXs:
- Historical / heraldic explanation: They are Saint Andrew’s crosses from medieval heraldry. (amsterdamforvisitors.com)
- Local legend: Many visitors are told the three crosses once represented three historical threats to the city — fire, floods, and the plague. This idea is widely shared but not supported by historical evidence. (Wikipedia)
- Values interpretation: Some link them to qualities in the city motto — heroic, resolute, and merciful (post-World War II values). (Amsterdam Tourist Information)
- Popular imagination abroad: Tourists often connect XXX with Amsterdam’s red light district or adult entertainment image. This is a modern association and not what the crosses were created for. (DutchReview)
The symbol’s ubiquity means many locals have their own takes, and different meanings coexist alongside the documented historical roots.
Why the XXXs Matter to People in Amsterdam
For Amsterdam residents, the three Xs are a civic symbol they see daily on official signs and everyday infrastructure. They are part of how the city presents itself to the world and how inhabitants identify with their history. The symbol isn’t obscure to locals; it’s familiar in urban design and culture. (amsterdamforvisitors.com)
The symbol’s historical depth gives it meaning beyond superficial associations. It links Amsterdam’s medieval beginnings as a fishing settlement and trading port to the modern city. Even though popular explanations vary, the triple crosses persist as a recognizable visual identity for Amsterdamers and visitors alike. (Amsterdam Tourist Information)
Sources and Further Reading
Here are links for deeper reading:
- Wikipedia on the Flag of Amsterdam with history and design details: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Amsterdam (Wikipedia)
- Official coat of arms description: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coat_of_arms_of_Amsterdam (Wikipedia)
- “Meaning of XXX in Amsterdam” visitor overview: https://amsterdamforvisitors.com/meaning-of-xxx-in-amsterdam/ (amsterdamforvisitors.com)
- City symbols explained by the I amsterdam tourism site: https://www.iamsterdam.com/en/see-and-do/attractions-and-sights/city-symbols (iamsterdam.com)
If you want a version tailored for publication in a travel magazine or blog, I can format it too.
