 According to the city government, its origin could go back to the coat of arms of the Persijn family, which once owned a large tract of land in the capital.These colors, as well as the crosses, are to be seen in the flags of both Ouder-Amstel and Amstelveen.The popular legend that the three Saint Andrew's crosses were meant to ward off fire, floods and the black plague is unfounded as the use of three St. Andrews crosses by noble families in the area precedes the arrival of the Black Death in Europe.