Originally, mining parades were held to mark ceremonial highlights. But the mining and steelworks miners' guild also marched to offer distinguished personalities a prestigious welcome. The tradition of mining parades can be traced back to the Middle Ages. Over the centuries, all mining districts in the Ore Mountains were given district colors and rank classes. As other regulations were added, clothing took on the character of uniforms. Elaborate flags were crafted especially for mining and steelworks hoists, and the equipment was finely polished. The highest rank is held by the Chief Mining Officer (Oberberghauptmann), who thus wears the most beautiful and magnificent uniform. In Saxony, the mining hoists have now even been included in the national register of intangible cultural heritage. Beschreibung: Touristinformation Seiffen, CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) — Quelle: https://en.seiffen.de/.