Coat of arms - what is it? History and terminology. Coat of arms of the Russian Federation (coat of arms of Russia) How to name the coat of arms

One of the indispensable attributes of any state, along with the flag and anthem, is the coat of arms. Few people know what a short word borrowed from the Polish language meant in the old days. That is why you will probably be interested to know the history of such images. Also, the interpretation of some symbols that adorn this or that well-known coat of arms arouses curiosity.

What's happened?

In Polish, "coat of arms" sounds like "herb" (herb). This expression is distorted version a German word that translates as "emblem". They were originally designated a distinctive sign, which was inherited. The coat of arms depicted objects symbolizing its owner (a person, clan, estate, city or country).

History

Heraldry, a science that originated in the Middle Ages, is engaged in the study of the origin of a particular coat of arms. This is a serious historical discipline that determines exactly what symbols can be applied to the state or family coat of arms and so on, and also explains the meaning of certain figures.

Many will probably be surprised to learn about the coat of arms, what is the image on the shield, weapons and began to wear because of the need to fight in a helmet with a visor. He made it difficult to see a person and recognize him as an enemy or ally, so something was required that could identify a warrior. This was especially important during the Crusades, when the army of knights who arrived from Europe consisted of representatives from different countries.

Since shields were most often painted with symbols indicating the country and belonging to one or another aristocratic family, many coats of arms still have a similar shape.

The first image of this kind dates back to 1127 (possibly 1128) year. This is a shield with 6 golden lions on an azure field. It is assumed that it was received by Geoffroy the Fifth of Anjou as a wedding gift from King Henry the First of England.

Elements

The symbols of the coat of arms in the old days could tell a lot about its owner and served as a kind of passport for their owner. They could be very different, while the main elements usually remained unchanged. The following terminology is adopted for their designation:

• helmet - an element of the emblem, located above the shield;
• heraldic shield - the basis on which the main symbols and figures are depicted;
• namet, i.e., a helmet cover torn into rags, usually having the upper side of the same color as the main enamel of the coat of arms;
• crest - a figure above the helmet;
• crown - an image located above the shield and indicating the feudal status of the owner;
• shield holders - human, mythical (capricorn, vulture, dragon, etc.) or animal figures located on the sides of the coat of arms;
• mantle;
• motto.

Tamga

Coats of arms are a European invention. However, generic identification images were also used by the Alans and Turkic peoples. They were in the form of symbols and were called tamga. Among the most famous coats of arms of this kind are the generic signs of Tamerlane and the Crimean Gerais. They are radically different from European ones, more concise and usually represent a combination of the simplest geometric shapes.

Russian coat of arms

This most important symbol of our statehood is a 4-cornered red heraldic shield. It depicts a golden one who raised his outstretched wings up. He is crowned with 2 small crowns. Above them is another one - a large one. In the right paw of the bird is a scepter, and in the left an eagle holds a power. On his chest in a red shield is a silver rider on the same horse. He is wearing a blue cloak, and he spears a black dragon trampled by a horse.

It just so happened that the flag, emblem, anthem of our country were created in different centuries. And this is very symbolic, since it means the continuity of different eras of Russian statehood.

Coats of arms of some republics of the Russian Federation

Russia is a federal state. It includes 21 republics. All of them have coats of arms.

• One of the largest subjects of the Russian Federation is Tatarstan. The coat of arms of the republic is round in shape, it depicts a winged leopard, which in ancient times was the patron of children and the deity of fertility among the Volga Bulgars. The background is a red sun, symbolizing happiness and life. On the side of the leopard, an aster is depicted, denoting longevity.
• It is worth talking about It also has a round shape. It depicts an equestrian monument to Salavat Yulaev against the background of the rising sun, and below it is a kurai inflorescence, which is considered a symbol of the courage of peoples.
• The coat of arms of Kalmykia depicts 4 fastened circles, which symbolizes the tribal union of the ancestors of the Kalmyks. It has a red tassel on it. It is called Ulan zala, and in the 15th century the ruler Togon-taisha ordered all Kalmyks to wear it on their headdress. In addition, there is a white scarf on the coat of arms. It is an offering of believers in the temple as a sign of peaceful intentions, kindness, generosity and abundance.
• The coat of arms of Dagestan is a heraldic shield of a round white color. In its center is depicted. Above the bird is an image of the sun, bordered by an ornament. At the base of the heraldic shield, white and gold snowy mountain peaks, the sea and the plain are drawn. A handshake is depicted even lower, and on both sides there is a heraldic ribbon on which the “Republic of Dagestan” is written.
• The image of the coat of arms of Kabardino-Balkaria has the form of a traditional scarlet shield. It depicts a golden eagle with an azure eye. On the chest of the bird is a crossed shield. Above is an image of a silver mountain with two peaks in an azure field, and below is a golden shamrock on a green field.
• is a circle, which is bordered by a narrow golden stripe. The three-headed peak of Mount Belukha is depicted against a blue-blue background. Below (in the center of the circle) is a white griffin with the head of a bird on the body of a lion. At the bottom of the coat of arms are also the Katun with tributaries. Between them is a golden tripod.

Now you know the terminology with which you can describe the coat of arms. You also know what heraldry is and why the knights painted their shields, and you will be able to amaze your acquaintances with your knowledge and keep up a secular conversation.

The basis of the coat of arms is a shield. With a description of this main element, we will begin the presentation of the rules of heraldry. In heraldry, there are shields of various shapes - from simple to very intricate. The most common form of a knight's shield in the era of the birth of heraldry was triangular, which became the main one. But in different historical periods, other configurations appeared. Today, the shape of the shield can serve as a starting point for the examination of the coat of arms.

Since the coat of arms is basically an attribute of chivalry, the heraldic shield is primarily the shield of a mounted knight, and its shape changed along with the development of military art. Here is how P. von Winkler says about this in his book "Weapons" (St. Petersburg, 1894)

"In the history of the development of the arms industry in Europe, there is not a single period that would be more important than the period of the 10th and 11th centuries. The reason and reason for this was given by the northern people, who already in the 8th century terrified all of ancient Europe with their brave raids. These were the Normans, having established themselves in the north of the Frankish state (912), they take an active part in the development of chivalry, thanks to their abilities, activity and enterprise, they soon became the first people in military affairs, they were everywhere seen as an example and example of everything that concerns As far back as the ninth century, the Normans were in Andalusia, landed on the African coast, passed through Italy, took out extraordinary military experience from these campaigns and, under fire and sword, did not lose sight of anything that was new to them and useful to other peoples.Thus, they made significant changes in military affairs, changes that became the basic provision for of all the Middle Ages and whose organization with offensive tactics corresponded to the feudal system, they mostly borrowed the elements for these transformations from Eastern peoples. On the wallpaper of Baio, depicting pictures of the conquest of England, at first glance, the influence of the East is noticeable in weapons, although further development, it must be admitted, is carried out according to peculiar national beliefs. There, for the first time, we find, next to the ancient pilum, a sharp helmet with a characteristic nosepiece, a tight-fitting shell, but, at the same time, we notice that the Norman, as well as the Saxon, restrains the use of his large national shield with a long sword.

An ancient tapestry from Bayo depicting the conquest of England by the Normans - a scroll 73 meters long, made using the application method - has become a valuable source of information for historians about the Normans. On the tapestry, you can see that the Anglo-Saxons, like their opponents, are armed with large elongated shields, specially designed to protect as much body area as possible. protection from archers. However, cavalry is becoming increasingly important. Normans, natives of Scandinavia, were sailors, but quickly mastered the art of equestrian combat. Their ancestors, the Vikings, took over the peninsula in northern France, now called Normandy, and settled there. The Normans created a strong state and sought to expand their possessions. Under the leadership of Duke William the Conqueror, they invaded England. On October 14, 1066, at the Battle of Hastings, a battle took place between the nine thousandth army of William and ten thousand English infantry, led by King Harold. The Anglo-Saxons successfully defended themselves, but a thousand-strong detachment of Norman horsemen, having launched a false attack, lured them out of their positions, after which they were completely defeated, and King Harold himself died in battle.

At the end of the 9th century, the warlike Normans enthusiastically embraced the idea of ​​conquering the Holy Land. The era of the Crusades began, which had a huge impact on military tactics and weapons. The role of cavalry in European wars increased. The shape of the shield has undergone significant changes, since the knight now needed protection not from frontal, but from side impacts, since with the advent of new small arms, such as a crossbow, capable of piercing steel armor with its "bolts", the importance of the shield as a means of protection against shooters has decreased . Here it should be noted that the mounted knights held the shield obliquely, which is why many artists depict the heraldic shield "couche", that is, inclined at an angle between 25 and 45 degrees. So the height of the shield was reduced, and the shield eventually took on the shape known as the "heater". The classic "heater" has exact dimensions and is depicted according to a certain scheme.

Initially, the form of heraldic shields repeated the form of combat, really existing ones, and changed along with the development of weapons. But over time, there was a departure from the classical (plausible) forms in the heraldry. The emergence of "bouche" - a round cutout on the right side of the shield, which served as a support for a spear, opened up wide possibilities for the imagination of artists.

There are at least nine main forms of heraldic shields: "Varangian", "Spanish", "Italian", "French", "English", "Byzantine", "German", rhombic, square. However, these "national" names are purely arbitrary, and the shape of the shield is not mentioned at all in the description of the coat of arms. The most convenient in terms of free space is the so-called French shield, which provides, in comparison with shields of more complex shapes, the maximum area for filling. This shield has long been used in heraldry as the main one. It is a rectangle with a base equal to 8/9 of the height, with a tip protruding in the middle lower part and rounded lower corners.

The helmet is placed over the shield. The shape of the heraldic helmet has changed over time, depending on fashion and armor improvements. Gradually, rules were developed according to which the helmet was depicted in accordance with the title, dignity or rank of the owner of the coat of arms. This is how this system looks in English heraldry. Golden helmet with a lattice visor, turned straight - for the coats of arms of sovereigns and princes of royal blood. A silver helmet with a gold lattice visor, turned heraldically to the right - for peers. Silver helmet with a raised visor, turned straight - for baronets and knights. Silver tournament helmet, turned heraldically to the right - for esquires and gentlemen. The many-part coat of arms of the princes Barclay de Tolly-Weymarn was formed in the process of merging several noble families with their own coats of arms. An integral part of these coats of arms were also crests, in certain cases also inherited, which is why there are five helmets with different tops on the coat of arms. It is easy to determine which part of the shield corresponds to each of them (we add that in this case the central helmet, unlike the other four, is topped with a princely crown corresponding to the title of the owner of the coat of arms).

pommel

The pommel, crest or helmet crest is an ornament fixed on the top of the helmet, originally from animal horns and bird feathers. This element was developed during jousting tournaments. It served as an additional identification mark, by which it was possible to recognize a knight in the general dump of a tournament battle, since from a distance this figure was better seen than the coat of arms depicted on the shield. Crests were made from light wood, leather and papier-mâché, but over time they began to be made from more valuable materials. The crests did not immediately become an indispensable part of the coat of arms. In England, heralds in the 16th century legalized this element in order to be able to charge an additional fee for it. Currently, crests are automatically included in new coats of arms. Helmet and crest must be turned to the same side. The crest is attached to the helmet, usually along with a burlet or helmet crown. The crest itself is a repetition of the main figure of the coat of arms, but can often be a separate, independent sign. Some of the earliest coats of arms do not have crests, as they were approved before crests came into vogue.

Crests should, if possible, match the colors of the armorial shield, although this is not always observed.

According to the conditional classification, crests are auxiliary And independent.

Auxiliary crests completely repeat the image on the coat of arms. For this, the so-called shield boards And wings, providing an area often equal to the area of ​​the shield itself. Independent crests do not repeat the image on the shield, but in most cases correspond to it in tinctures.

The main types of crests are as follows: 1. Horns 2. Wings 3. Feathers and flags 4. Natural figures (human or animal) 5. Artificial figures 6. Shield boards 7. Headgear

There are two types of horns - cowhide, in the form of a crescent, and bull, S-shaped. They are always depicted in pairs, protruding from either side of the helmet. Until the 14th century, helmets were decorated with sickle-shaped pointed horns, and later acquired a more curved shape with sawn off ends. From here came the second type of heraldic horns - S-shaped, open, that is, having small sockets at the ends, which makes them look like elephant trunks. They also resemble hunting horns, which has led some heraldists to confuse the two terms. However, hunting horns were sometimes depicted as horns, in pairs, coming out on the sides of the helmet, mouthpiece up. Already on the earliest coats of arms, the horns are decorated with twigs, feathers and bells planted in them; branches, feathers, etc. were stuck into the holes of open horns.

Horns are painted in accordance with the coloring of the shield. Sometimes a minor figure is placed between the horns, which is available in the coat of arms: some animal, human figure, some object.

Other types of horns are often found: the horns of a goat, a deer, and a unicorn, the latter, always solitary, notched and bent back. These horns are independent crests and do not bear images of armorial figures.

The wings are usually depicted in pairs, and their position - straight or profile - depends on the position of the helmet. If the helmet is facing straight, the wings are depicted outstretched; on a helmet facing in profile, the wings are depicted parallel to each other, with sharp ends facing backwards.

On ancient coats of arms with pot-shaped helmets, the wings were depicted in a stylized way, more like boards, painted like feathers or seated with individual feathers. With the development of heraldry and the departure from primitive Gothic forms, the wings took on a more natural look.

The wings are painted in accordance with the coloring of the shield and, like shield boards, sometimes completely repeat the primary and secondary figures depicted on it. Sometimes a minor armorial figure (for example, a star or a rose) depicted in the coat of arms is placed between the wings.

There are three types of feathers - cock, peacock, ostrich. They are depicted individually, in threes, fives, etc., usually in the form of a fan.

Cockerels, depicted as a bunch of narrow long feathers of unequal length, are the most ancient. They are attached to the tops of headdresses worn on a helmet, or inserted into special quivers.

Peacock feathers are depicted both individually and as a whole peacock tail, fan-shaped loose. Feathers have a natural coloring - green with yellow-red-blue "eyes".

Ostrich feathers, which appeared in heraldry later than the previous two, are depicted separately, but most often three, bent from above. Ostrich feathers have shield tinctures. If there is one feather, it is painted in several colors, or painted with a metal tincture of the shield, if there are three feathers, then their color alternates: metal-enamel-metal, or enamel-metal-enamel.

Feathers are often inserted into quivers that have a cylindrical, elongated or pointed downwards, painted with armorial figures in accordance with the coloring of the shield.

Feathers cannot be shown coming straight out of the helmet, so they always come out of either the quiver or the crown.

Natural figures (human and animal)

The most diverse and picturesque family is formed by crests bearing images of humans and animals. There are the following types of such crests:

1. Separate parts of the human or animal body. These are, first of all, heads, as well as full arms, hands and legs.

2. Trunks or busts of humans and animals. This is primarily the upper body with a head, neck and chest, but without arms or front legs (and the neck and chest are depicted as unusually elongated, the neck is bent back in the form of the letter S).

3. Increasing figures. In contrast to the above, this method involves the image of a human or animal figure waist-deep or lower, with hands or front paws, as if growing out of a helmet.

4. Complete figures of a person or animal. In this case, the figures are depicted as they are represented in the shield, although animals, such as a lion, are sometimes shown sitting on a helmet.

artificial figures

Heraldry has a large number of so-called non-heraldic figures, any of which can be transferred to the crest either separately or in combination with other figures, forming a complex structure. Of particular interest are such crests, in which, with the help of several figures, some plot is encrypted, repeating or supplementing the image on the coat of arms.

Shield boards

Shield boards are round, hexagonal or fan-shaped. They are large enough to fully reproduce the image on the coat of arms. The edges and corners of these boards are often decorated with tassels, bells, and feathers. The boards themselves are sometimes mounted on a cushion, decorated with tassels at the corners, which rests on the helmet.

Hats

The crown is placed on the helmet or, as in state emblems, directly above the shield (for example, the princely crown in the coat of arms of Liechtenstein). The crown in the coat of arms indicates the title of the owner of the coat of arms. There are many varieties of crowns, and any of them can be found in coats of arms, placed on a helmet, above a shield or above a mantle. The following types of heraldic crowns can be distinguished: imperial, royal and princely crowns, which are depicted in the emblems of monarchs and state emblems (as well as in the emblems of administrative regions), symbolizing sovereignty; crowns of marquises, counts, viscounts, barons; noble tiaras; tiaras, mitres and hats of the clergy; wall crowns, made up of fortress towers and walls, placed in the city emblems.

The mantling (lambrequin, mantling), resembling a whole or torn cloak, is depicted as a matter attached to the helmet. The origin of the heraldic design is described in the section "History of Heraldry". The outer and inner surfaces of the mantle should be painted alternately with enamel and metal, and in modern heraldry it is customary to paint the surface of the mantle with the main color of the shield, and the wrong side (lining) with the main metal of the shield. The last rule is considered artificially introduced into heraldry at a time when "living heraldry" gave way to "clerical" ("paper"). Thus, the principles of classical heraldry will not be violated if:
a) the surface of the indentation will be metal, and the lining will be enamel;
b) the coloring of the insignia will not match the coloring of the coat of arms.

The bait can be painted using furs. Sometimes the bast is covered with shield figures embroidered on its surface, and sometimes the surface of the bast is dotted with small non-heraldic figures, for example, linden leaves, stars, hearts, etc.

If two, three or more helmets are used in the coat of arms, each of them must have a personal insignia. The namet can be painted not in two, but in four colors (especially when the shield is made up of two coats of arms). In this case, the right side of the insignia is painted in the colors of the more honorable part of the coat of arms - the right, and the left side - in the colors of the left side of the coat of arms.

There are three types of helmet mantling, each of which corresponds to a certain period in the development of heraldry.

Shield holders are figures located on the sides of the shield and supporting it. As a rule, these are the same heraldic animals - lions, eagles, griffins, unicorns, or human figures - savages with clubs, angels or warriors. However, shield holders can be taken not from classical heraldry, but act as independent symbols of something. For example, in many state emblems of the relatively young countries of Africa, Asia and America, the most characteristic representatives of the local fauna - kangaroos, ostriches (Australia), antelopes, tigers, zebras - are shield holders. The choice of shield holders for the coat of arms is not limited by any special rule of heraldry, although in Russian heraldry, through and through, it is accepted that only representatives of the highest aristocracy can have shield holders. In Western heraldry, the same principle applies to shield holders as to mottos - they can change at the request of the owner of the coat of arms.

Coat of arms of the Austrian lands of the Austrian Empire (drawing by H. Ströl)

The base is the platform on which the shield holders stand and on which the entire coat of arms is located. It can be a hill or a lawn, as on the coat of arms of Great Britain, an ice floe, as on the coat of arms of Iceland, a carved plate, as on the arms of Greece and Sweden, mountains, as on the coat of arms of Malawi, or an island in the sea, as on the coat of arms of Malta. The base can also be a bizarrely curved branch, similar to a detail of a cast-iron grate, as on the coat of arms of the princes Barclay de Tolly-Weymarn. The base is not an obligatory element of the coat of arms, it is often used as a motto ribbon. The supporters must always stand on a base, whatever shape it may be. The only exceptions are shield holders floating in the air, that is, flying angels.

The motto is a short saying, usually written on a ribbon at the bottom of the shield. Sometimes the mottos are placed in the coat of arms without a ribbon, if the shield is round, the motto is usually written around the shield. Obviously, the basis for the motto could originally be a knightly battle cry (such as "Crom boo", the motto of the Dukes of the Fitzgeralds, meaning "Crom (the old family castle) forever!", But the motto can be a short statement, reminiscent of some important historical event or expressing the creed of the owner of the coat of arms. The text of the motto can be encrypted and understood only by the initiated. In Western heraldry, it was customary to write mottos in Latin, although this rule is not necessary. The meaning of some ancient mottos is generally impossible to understand - or history has not preserved data on events, about which the motto spoke, or due to various circumstances, the phrase was distorted, errors crept into it. The motto is not an obligatory and permanent part of the coat of arms, so the owner can change it at will. When compiling new coats of arms, the motto is always included in their design. In state monarchical coats of arms the motto is sometimes placed on the canopy - a tent located above the mantle. The colors of the ribbon and bu kv must match the primary colors and metals of the coat of arms. Here are examples of heraldic mottos. "God is with us" - the state motto of the Russian Empire. "Gott mit uns" (German) - the German imperial state motto of a similar content. "Dieu et mon droit" (French) - "God and my right" - British motto. Dieu protege la France (French) - old French motto "God Save France" .
The modern French coat of arms is inscribed with the words:
"Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite" (French) - "Freedom equality Brotherhood" . "Je maintiendrai" (French) - "I will keep" - Netherlands.. "Nihil sine Deo" (lat.) - "Nothing Without God" - Romania.. "L" union fait la force (French) - "Unification gives strength" - Belgium. "Providentiae memory" (lat.) - "Remember Predestination" - Saxony.

From noble mottos, the following examples can be given. "Treu auf Tod und Leben" - the motto of the German counts Totlebenov, in which their surname is played out -
"Faithful in death and in life" . "Labore et Zelo" - Latin motto of Counts Arakcheevs - "Work and Perseverance" . "Semper immota fides" - the motto of the Vorontsov counts - "Loyalty is always unwavering" . "Deus conservat omnia" - the motto of the Sheremetevs - "God Saves Everything" . "Honor and Loyalty" - the motto of the most serene princes of Warsaw, the counts of Paskevich-Erivan.

The motto ribbon is usually located at the bottom of the coat of arms, under the base or against its background (except for Scottish heraldry, in which the motto is placed above the crest).

Although flags are found in some large coats of arms, they are not a heraldic element. However, they are worth mentioning because of their close connection with heraldry.

Flags and banners have long been used as identification marks, clearly distinguishable from a distance. They were indispensable on the battlefield, but also during jousting. With the development of military technology, tournament armor acquired such massiveness and strength that knights could abandon the shield as the main element of protection. In this regard, it was necessary to transfer the image of the coat of arms from the shield to the pennant, which replaced the shield with the coat of arms as an identification mark.

There are three main types of coat of arms: the actual flag (banner), the standard (standard) and the flag, or pennant (pennon).

The medieval flag bearing the coat of arms of the owner was a vertically elongated rectangle with a ratio of width to height of 2 to 3. The edge of the flag opposite the pole could be provided with numerous "tongues", or one large "tongue" in the upper right corner (then called "schwenkle "). No one below the rank of a banneret knight was entitled to a flag (Knight Banneret is a now defunct old title that gave the privilege of leading their people under their own flag during battle, unlike bachelors (Bachelor), lower-ranking knights who did not have enough vassals, to gather them under his banner). The rank of the banneret was below that of the knights of the Order of the Garter when conferred by the king in time of war, and in normal times came after the title of baronet). Pictured is the Royal Banner of Scotland.

The standard is a long panel, tapering towards the end and rounded. Moreover, the rounded end forked if the standard did not belong to the prince of royal blood. The standard, the size of which varied from 11 yards (10 meters) for the emperor to 4 yards (1.5 meters) for the baron, was usually divided into three parts: the first was placed a knightly or national coat of arms, the second - a coat of arms, and the third - an image of its top (there were other options). These parts were separated by stripes on which a knightly battle cry or motto was inscribed. The color of the standard corresponded to the family colors of the knight or the colors of his coat of arms.

During the battle, the standard served as a guide for the troops. It showed not the physical presence of the commander in chief, but the location of his headquarters. The drawing shows the standards of Sir Henry Stafford (1475) and Thomas Howard, a participant in the War of the Scarlet and White Roses (from 1455 to 1485). The cross of St. George on the rise (the area near the staff) shows the national (English) affiliation.

This is a flag, or pennant, of medium size (about three feet or one meter), which had a triangular shape and was attached to the shaft of a spear. Like the banner, it indicated the physical presence of the person whose coat of arms he carried. A smaller triangular flag was called "pavon pennon". Shown here is a flag with a forked end - the pennant of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.

The drawings of coats of arms and crests placed on the page were made by Jiri Louda.

This is a special emblem, made in accordance with heraldic canons.

It is an interconnected system of images and colors that carries the idea of ​​the integrity of the state and is inextricably linked with its history, traditions and mentality.

The appearance of this official sign is enshrined in the Constitution.

Brief description and meaning of the symbols of the coat of arms of Russia

This sign of state distinction is a red heraldic shield, in the middle of which is a golden double-headed eagle. In the left clawed paw, the bird holds an orb, and in the right - a scepter.

On each of the heads is a crown, and at the top is another, larger one. All three royal attire are connected by a gold ribbon.

In the center of the shield, on the chest of the eagle, there is another red cloth. On it is a plot familiar to every Russian person: George the Victorious kills a snake.

There are many icons and paintings illustrating this legend. This is the most recognizable image of the saint. On the emblem, he is represented as a silver rider on a silver horse, dressed in a blue cloak. A monster under the hooves of a black horse.

How did they form and what do the symbols on the coat of arms of the Russian Federation mean?

Today, heraldry is an auxiliary branch of historical science. Emblems of countries, along with annals and chronicles, are the most important historical evidence.

In Western Europe during the days of chivalry, every noble family had a symbol inherited from generation to generation. He was present on the banners and was an insignia by which she recognized the representative of the family both on the battlefield and at the feast. In our country, this tradition has not been developed. Russian wars carried with them embroidered images of the great martyrs, Christ or the Mother of God into battle. The Russian heraldic sign originates from princely seals.

What do the main elements of the Russian coat of arms mean: George the Victorious

The princely seals had the patron saints of the rulers and an inscription indicating who owns the symbol of power. Later, a symbolic image of the head began to appear on them and on coins. Usually it was a horseman holding some kind of weapon in his hand. It could be a bow, sword or spear.

Initially, the “rider” (as this image was called) was not only familiar to the Moscow principality, but after the unification of the lands around the new capital in the 15th century, it became an official attribute of the Moscow sovereigns. He replaced the lion who defeats the snake.

What is depicted on the state emblem of Russia: a double-headed eagle

It should be noted that this is a popular symbol that is used as the main symbol not only by the Russian Federation, but also by Albania, Serbia, and Montenegro. The history of the appearance of one of the main elements of our emblem goes back to the time of the Sumerians. There, in this ancient kingdom, he personified God.

Since antiquity, the eagle has been considered a solar symbol associated with the spiritual principle, liberation from bonds. This element of the coat of arms of Russia means courage, pride, the desire for victory, royal origin and greatness of the country. In the Middle Ages, it was a symbol of baptism and rebirth, as well as Christ in his ascension.

IN Ancient Rome used the image of a black eagle, which had one head. Sophia Palaiologos, the niece of the last Byzantine emperor Constantine, who was married to Ivan the Terrible's grandfather, Ivan III, known as Kalita, brought such a bird as a generic image. In Russia, the history of the famous double-headed eagle dates back to the period of his reign. Together with his marriage, he received the right to this symbol as a state emblem. It confirmed that our country had become the heir of Byzantium and began to claim the right to be a world Orthodox power. Ivan III received the title of Tsar of All Russia, the ruler of the entire Orthodox East.

But at the time of Ivan III, the official emblem in the traditional sense still did not exist. The bird was emblazoned on the royal seal. It was very different from the modern one and looked more like a chick. This is symbolic, since Russia at that time was a young, fledgling country. The wings and beak of the eagle were closed, the feathers smoothed.

After the victory over the Tatar-Mongol yoke and the liberation of the country from centuries of oppression, the wings open wide, emphasizing the might and power of the Russian state. Under Vasily Ioanovich, the beak also opens, emphasizing the strengthening of the country's position. At the same time, the eagle developed tongues, which became a sign that the country could stand up for itself. It was at this moment that the monk Philotheus put forward a theory about Moscow as the third Rome. Spread wings appeared much later, in the early years of the Romanov dynasty. They showed the neighboring hostile states that Russia was awakened and awakened from sleep.

The double-headed eagle also appeared on the state seal of Ivan the Terrible. There were two of them, a small one and a large one. The first was attached to the decree. It had a rider on one side and a bird on the other. The king replaced the abstract rider with a specific saint. George the Victorious was considered the patron saint of Moscow. Finally, this interpretation will be fixed under Peter I. The second seal was applied and made it necessary to combine two state symbols into one.

So a double-headed eagle appeared with a warrior on a horse depicted on his chest. Sometimes the rider was replaced by a unicorn, as a personal sign of the king. It was also an Orthodox symbol taken from the Psalter, like any heraldic sign. Like the hero defeating the snake, the unicorn meant the victory of good over evil, the military prowess of the ruler and the righteous power of the state. In addition, this is an image of monastic life, striving for monasticism and solitude. This is probably why Ivan the Terrible highly valued this symbol and used it on a par with the traditional "rider".

What do the elements of the images on the coat of arms of Russia mean: three crowns

One of them also appears under Ivan IV. She was on top and was decorated with an eight-pointed cross, as a symbol of faith. The cross appeared before, between the heads of the bird.

During the time of Fyodor Ioanovich, the son of Ivan the Terrible, who was a very religious ruler, it was a symbol of the passion of Christ. Traditionally, the image of a cross on the coat of arms of Russia symbolizes the country's gaining ecclesiastical independence, which coincided with the reign of this tsar and the establishment of the patriarchate in Russia in 1589. The number of crowns has changed over time.

Under Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, there were three of them, the ruler explained this by the fact that then the state absorbed three kingdoms: Siberian, Kazan and Astrakhan. The appearance of three crowns was also associated with the Orthodox tradition, and was interpreted as a sign of the Holy Trinity.

At the moment, it is known that this symbolism on the coat of arms of the Russian Federation means the unity of the three levels of power (state, municipal and regional), or its three branches (legislative, executive and judicial).

Another version suggests that the three crowns mean the brotherhood of Ukraine, Belarus and Russia. The ribbon of the crown was fastened as early as 2000.

What does the coat of arms of the Russian Federation mean: scepter and orb

They were added at the same time as the crown. In earlier versions, the bird could hold a torch, a laurel wreath, and even a lightning bolt.

Currently, the eagle, which holds a sword and a wreath, is on the banner. The attributes that appeared on the image personified autocracy, absolute monarchy, but also pointed to the independence of the state. After the revolution of 1917, these elements, like the crowns, were removed. The provisional government considered them a relic of the past.

Seventeen years ago, they were returned and now adorn the modern state insignia. Scientists agree that in modern conditions this symbolism of the coat of arms of Russia means state power and the unity of the state.

What did the coat of arms of the Russian Empire mean under Peter I

After coming to power, the first Russian emperor decided that the double-headed eagle should not only decorate certain official papers, but also become a full-fledged symbol of the country. He decided that the bird should become black, like the one that was on the banners of the Holy Roman Empire, of which Byzantium was the heir.

Signs of local large principalities and kingdoms that are part of the country were painted on the wings. For example, Kiev, Novgorod, Kazan. One head looked to the West, the other to the East. The headdress was a large imperial crown, which replaced the royal one and hinted at the specifics of the established power. Russia asserted its independence and freedom in rights. Peter I chose this type of crown a few years before he proclaimed the country an Empire, and himself an emperor.

The order of St. Andrew the First-Called appeared on the chest of the bird.

Until Nicholas I, the official emblem of the country retained the form established by Peter I, undergoing only minor changes.

The meaning of the colors on the coat of arms of Russia

Color, as the brightest and simplest sign, is an important part of any symbolism, including the state.

In 2000, it was decided to return the golden color to the eagle. It is a symbol of power, justice, wealth of the country, as well as the Orthodox faith and Christian virtues such as humility and mercy. The return to the golden color emphasizes the continuity of traditions, the preservation of historical memory by the state.

The abundance of silver (cloak, spear, horse of George the Victorious) indicates purity and nobility, the desire to fight for a righteous cause and truth at any cost.

The red color of the shield speaks of the blood that was shed by the people in the defense of their land. It is a sign of courage and love not only for the Motherland, but also for each other, it emphasizes that many fraternal peoples peacefully coexist in Russia.

The snake that the rider kills is painted black. Heraldry experts agree that this symbol on the coat of arms of the Russian Federation means the constancy of the country in trials, as well as the memory and sorrow for the dead.

The meaning of the coat of arms of the Russian Federation

The drawing of the modern state symbol was made by St. Petersburg artist Evgeny Ukhnalev. He left the traditional elements, but created a new image. The fact that the signs of different eras were included in the final version emphasizes the long history of the country. The type of this personification of state power is strictly regulated and described in the relevant laws.

The shield is a symbol of the protection of the earth. At the moment, the meaning of the coat of arms of the Russian Federation is interpreted as a fusion of conservatism and progress. Three rows of feathers on the bird's wings refer to the unity of Kindness, Beauty and Truth. The scepter became a sign of state sovereignty. It is interesting that it is decorated with the same double-headed eagle, squeezing the same scepter and so on ad infinitum.

Briefly, we can say that the coat of arms of Russia symbolizes eternity, means the unity of all the peoples of the Russian Federation. The state acts as an emblem of power and integrity.

We hope our article has helped you to penetrate the secrets of state symbols. If you are interested in the history of not only your country, but your family, then you should learn it.

Our specialists have access to rare archival documents, which allows:

• Verify the authenticity of the data.
• Organize the received information.
• Make a genealogical tree.
• Help with family tree.

If you want to know who your ancestors were, what they did and how they lived, please contact the Russian House of Genealogy.

Coat of arms (Polish herb, from German Erbe - inheritance)

emblem, hereditary distinctive sign, a combination of figures and objects that are given a symbolic meaning that expresses the historical traditions of the owner. G. are subdivided into the following main groups: G. state, G. land (cities, regions, provinces, provinces, and other territories that are part of the state), G. corporate (medieval workshops), G. tribal (noble and bourgeois families ). G. - a specific historical source, studied by an auxiliary historical discipline heraldry (See Heraldry). G. is depicted on banners, seals, coins, etc., is placed as a sign of ownership on architectural structures, household utensils, weapons, works of art, manuscripts, books, etc.

The most ancient prototype of totems were images of animals, patrons of a tribe or clan in primitive society (see Totemism). The rudiments of G. are seen in numerous symbolic images that existed among the peoples ancient world. G.'s immediate predecessors were tribal and family signs of property (“banners”, “frontiers”, “marks” among the Slavs, “tamgas” among the Turks and Mongols, etc.). The first symbols were emblems that were constantly repeated on coins, medals, and seals of the ancient world. Already in the 3rd millennium BC. e. there was a G. of the Sumerian states - an eagle with a lion's head; G. are also known: the snake of Egypt, the eagle of Persia (later it was also the coat of arms of Rome), the crowned lion of Armenia. In ancient Greece, there were symbols: the owl of Athens, the winged horse of Corinth, the rose of Rhodes, the peacock of Samos, and others. The coat of arms of Byzantium was a double-headed eagle (later borrowed by Russia). In the Middle Ages, cities that have survived to this day arose: the red lily of Florence, the winged lion of Venice, the boat of Paris, the cross and sword of London, and others. ; three rings - Timur's coat of arms. In Russia, cities of many cities had ancient historical roots. The lion - the coat of arms of Vladimir - was the god of the Vladimir princes from the 12th century. Coat of arms of Novgorod from the 15th century. symbolized the veche system (the veche degree, that is, the tribune, and the posadnik rod on it); in the 16th century the republican emblem was replaced by a monarchical one: instead of a degree, a throne began to be reproduced, instead of a rod, a scepter. The emblem of Pskov - a lynx - was depicted as early as the 15th century. on republican seals and coins of this city. Coat of arms of Moscow - rider, so-called. "rider", known since the 14th century. The coat of arms of Yaroslavl - a bear on its hind legs, and the coat of arms of Perm - a bear on all fours - are associated with the ancient cult of the bear, which has been characteristic of these regions for many centuries, judging by the many archaeological finds. In a similar way, the coat of arms of N. Novgorod - the elk - is associated with the ancient local cult of the elk: in the 18th century. the elk was replaced by a deer. The emblem of Smolensk - a cannon and a bird of paradise on it - was minted as early as the 15th century. on the princely coins of this city. The emblem of Kazan - a winged serpent - is explained by Tatar legends about the founding of the city in the area where the serpent reigned. The coat of arms of Astrakhan - a saber and a crown above it - is very similar in outline to the coat of arms of Bukhara (an arc and a flower garden above it); these G. clearly go back to a common prototype: in Bukhara in the 17th - mid-18th centuries. Astrakhan dynasty reigned. The emblem of Vyatka - a bow and an arrow - arose in connection with the ancient local veneration of arrows, which for a long time played a role in this city even in church rites.

G. noble families in Western Europe arose in the era of the crusades (11-13 centuries) and were caused by the need for external differences in armored knights. G. were created directly from the elements that made up the armament of the knight. Traces of this origin are preserved in the names of G. in German (Wappen), French (armes) and English (arms) languages. Initially, the knight chose the content of the drawings on the shield arbitrarily. As the custom spread, emblems became hereditary. The emblems of ancient cities were the source of individual noble gowns. In turn, some tribal governments became the governments of feudal monarchies. When dynasties changed, state gypsies often retained elements of gypsies from previously ruling dynasties. Family gowns of the bourgeoisie (without helmets and crests) appeared at the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries. in France, where, for fiscal purposes, G. was sold to representatives of non-noble estates.

On a different basis, tribal G. arose in Poland, where banners with tribal signs have long existed, around which neighbors - landowners united in case of military danger. The number of these banners was constant and every new face was attributed to one of the existing banners. These tribal signs (to a large extent common to all Slavic peoples) were subject to the rules of heraldry, which had penetrated from the West, and became the symbols of the Polish noble families.

In Russia, the first noble gowns appeared in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, but their widespread use began at the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries. after the destruction of locality. Under Peter I, the city becomes a necessary accessory of a nobleman. From the end of the 18th century The official codification of tribal giraffes began with the compilation of the General Armorial. In the g. of ancient Russian families, images were used on the seals of specific princes and on the banners of lands and cities Ancient Russia. The names of clans that considered their ancestors to have come from abroad were borrowed from Poland and other states. G. newly granted nobles were compiled in relation to their ranks and merits. In pre-revolutionary Russia, all provinces, regions, cities, townships, townships, and fortresses had town halls.

The city of the Russian Empire took shape during the formation of a centralized state: it consisted of 2 main emblems: a rider (“rider”) with a spear striking a serpent (from the end of the 14th century), and a double-headed eagle (from the end of the 15th century), which were placed on seals of the great Moscow princes and tsars. State G. under Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich (reigned in 1645-76) - a two-headed eagle with raised wings under three crowns, with a Moscow G. (horseman) on his chest, a scepter and an orb in his paws. With the approval of the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called (1698), the shield with the image of a rider began to be surrounded by a chain of the order. Under Catherine I (ruled in 1725-27), the colors of G. were established - a black eagle on a yellow background, a rider on a red field. In 1730, G.'s drawing was approved; in his description, the rider was first named St. George the Victorious. From the 2nd quarter of the 19th century. the double-headed eagle began to be depicted with widely spread wings, thunder arrows and a torch intertwined with ribbons appeared in the right paw of the eagle, and a laurel wreath appeared in the left paw. By decree of 1832, coats of arms of the kingdoms (Kazan, Astrakhan, Siberia, Poland, and Tauride) and the Grand Duchy of Finland began to be placed on the wings of the eagle: then the number and location of the kingdoms and principalities changed. Since the mid 1860s. the rider in Moscow G. began to be depicted according to heraldic rules - to the right side. In 1882, a large Russian state g. with many heraldic details, but retained at the base of the double-headed eagle with the Moscow g. on the chest. After the February Revolution of 1917, the Provisional Government retained the double-headed eagle as the state emblem, but the eagle was depicted with lowered wings, without crowns, a rider, a scepter, or an orb. Under the eagle, in a cartouche (in an oval), was placed an image of the building of the Tauride Palace, which was used by the State Duma.

On the state emblems of the USSR, the union and autonomous republics, and also on the state emblems of modern foreign states, see the articles State coat of arms of the USSR and State emblems of foreign countries.

Rus. armorials: General armorial of the noble families of the All-Russian Empire, vol. 1-10, St. Petersburg, 1798-1840; Lukomsky V.K. and Troinitsky S.P., Index to the General Armorial ..., (parts 1-18), St. Petersburg, 1910; Lukomsky V.K., Index to the General Armorial..., part 19-20, [P., 1914-17]; Portraits, emblems and seals of the Big State Book 1672, P., 1903; Winkler P. P. von (comp.), Coats of arms of cities, provinces, regions and towns of the Russian Empire, included in the Complete Collection of Laws from 1649 to 1900, P.,; Armorial of Anisim Titovich Knyazev, P., 1912; Troinitsky S. N. (ed.), Coats of arms of the life company of chief and non-commissioned officers and privates, [P., 1914]; Lukomsky V.K., Modzalevsky V.D., Little Russian armorial, St. Petersburg, 1914. See also lit. at Art. Heraldry.

A. V. Artsikhovsky, Yu. N. Korotkov, A. N. Luppol.

Rice. to Art. Coat of arms.

Great Soviet Encyclopedia. - M.: Soviet Encyclopedia. 1969-1978 .

See what "Coat of arms" is in other dictionaries:

Coat of arms, a; pl. uh, uh... Russian word stress

coat of arms- coat of arms, and ... Russian spelling dictionary

coat of arms- coat of arms/ … Morphemic spelling dictionary

BUT; m. [Polish. herb from him. Erbe legacy]. Distinctive sign, emblem of the state, city, estate, clan, etc., depicted on banners, coins, seals, etc. State city. Family city. G. of the city. Coat of arms stamp. A house with a coat of arms on ... ... encyclopedic Dictionary

Moscow. Approved in 1781. Coat of arms From the XIV century. the coat of arms (emblem) of Moscow was the image of a horseman slaying a dragon or a snake with a spear. For the first time this image is found on the seal of the Grand Duke. Later, the rider was associated with St. George ... ... Moscow (encyclopedia)

- (from German Erbe heir). Hereditary emblem, assigned as a distinction to some state, city, famous noble family, and depicted on coins, banners, flags, seals, etc. for example, the double-headed eagle is the emblem of the Russian Empire ... Dictionary of foreign words of the Russian language

Coat of arms- St. Petersburg. The prototype of the city coat of arms is an emblem placed on the company banners of the St. Petersburg Regiment in 1712 - a red cloth, in the upper corner of which a flaming heart under a gold crown is depicted in gold near the staff and with ... ... Encyclopedic reference book "St. Petersburg"

Coat of arms- (Polish herb, from German Erbe inheritance) a heraldic status sign (a definition introduced into scientific circulation by employees of the State Heraldry P.K. Kornakov and M.Yu. Medvedev). G. are divided into state, land, corporate, ... ... Russian humanitarian encyclopedic dictionary

Husband. type of shield, with the image on it of signs assigned to the state, city, noble family, etc. Armorial, related to the coat of arms; bearing a coat of arms, in a brand, seal. Official paper, act, with the state emblem, serving as it were ... ... Dahl's Explanatory Dictionary

An invariable drawing is a sign of some feudal family or corporation, made in imitation of medieval defensive weapons in compliance with heraldic rules. The main parts of the coat of arms are: coat of arms with an image; and top... Financial vocabulary

Any country in the world has state symbols, which have a deep meaning. The coat of arms of Russia, as well as the flag of Russia and the anthem, are among the main symbols of the country. Behind long history these lands, it has repeatedly changed, supplemented, became the subject of heated debate and discussion at all levels of political and public life. The Russian emblem is one of the most complex among the emblems of other countries.

Coat of arms of Russia - greatness and beauty

The modern Russian symbol is a beautiful heraldic shield, bright red, quadrangle-shaped with rounded bottom edges. In the central part of the coat of arms of the country there is an image of a golden-colored double-headed eagle with wings wide open and raised up.

At the same time, the heads of the bird are crowned with small crowns, and a third, larger one is placed on top, the crowns are connected by a ribbon. The eagle itself holds symbols of power in its paws: a scepter (in the right) and an orb (in the left). On the chest is another red shield, on which is an image of a rider dressed in a blue cloak. The warrior has a silver horse and a spear of the same color, with which he strikes a black dragon.

Every detail of the Russian coat of arms has one or another symbolic meaning. Crowns are a symbol of the sovereignty of the Russian Federation, both as a whole country and its individual parts. The scepter and orb act as symbols of state power.

Similarities and differences between the coats of arms of Russia and Moscow

The rider depicted on the coat of arms of Russia is often called George the Victorious, confusing it with the coat of arms of Moscow, which actually depicts this historical character. However, there are significant differences between the two images:

• On the Russian emblem, the rider does not have a halo, a symbol of holiness.
• The horse on the coat of arms of Russia is on three legs, the fourth tramples the dragon, while on the coat of arms of the capital the horse is on two legs.
• The dragon on the Russian coat of arms is overturned and trampled on by a rider, on the Moscow coat of arms it stands on four legs.

That is, upon closer examination, one can note the difference not only in small, but also in essential details.

Long haul

Modern symbol Russian state has a rather long history. In basic terms, it coincides with the official coats of arms of the Russian Empire, which were finally formed only by the end of the 19th century - these are the Great Coat of Arms (1882) and the Small Coat of Arms (1883).

On the Great Russian coat of arms, the shield was golden, a black eagle, imperial crowns connected by an St. Andrew's ribbon. On the chest of the eagle was depicted the capital coat of arms with George. The Small Emblem of the Empire also depicted an eagle with two black heads, and shields of the principalities were placed on its wings.