We traditionally associate a two-headed eagle with Russian state heraldry. But has it always been like this? How did this mythological creature become the emblem of Russia? When did it happen? How are the coats of arms of the Byzantine Empire and Russia? We will answer these and other interesting questions in the article.
Byzantine heraldry
Did the flag and coat of arms of the Byzantine Empire exist? First of all, we note that the history of Byzantine heraldry covers a relatively short period of the existence of this powerful state. Due to the fact that heraldry appeared only in the XII century.
At official government events, some emblems and symbols were often used. They were also depicted on banners and shields. The most common such symbols were the labarum (the state flag of the great imperial Rome) and the cross.
Historians also know that some characters were displayed on seals. Most often this is a cross, the image of the Virgin and Jesus Christ, various saints. However, for the most part it was more personal than family symbolism.
Single-headed eagle
Let us turn to the history of the coat of arms of the Byzantine Empire. As the successor to the Roman Empire, she continued to use the single-headed eagle as her symbol, but rarely enough.
There was even such a position as "orlonosy". These warriors performed the same mission as the Roman aquilifers. These are standard bearers who carried legion eagles in their hands. In particular, the "orlonos" are mentioned in the military treatise "Strategicon of Mauritius." But it is not known how much their standards were like Roman aquila.
On coins, the coat of arms of the Byzantine Empire, a single-headed eagle, began to be depicted from the 7th century. Sometimes it could be found on reliefs and seals. It is known that in the last centuries of the existence of the empire, such a coat of arms was also embroidered on palace fabrics. So, in illuminated manuscripts you can see images of embroidered imperial pillows with single-headed eagles.
The appearance of the double-headed eagle
The double-headed eagle is considered the coat of arms of the Byzantine Empire. He is a more common symbol here. But this heraldic image was not created by the Byzantines. It was borrowed from peoples with a more ancient culture.
Today, historians know that the motif of the heraldic double-headed eagle belonged to the Anatolian tradition and with its origins went back to the Hittite culture. The Byzantines began to use it as the coat of arms of the Byzantine Empire in the last years of the existence of the state.
Some historians date the appearance of such an emblem in Byzantium in the middle of the 11th century. It is explained that it was then that the Comnenus (the imperial Byzantine dynasty) could adopt this symbol from drawings on Hittite stones in their native locality of Paflagonia.
But such a point of view is still considered to be erroneous in wide circles. Yes, in the decorative art of Byzantium, the first images of the double-headed eagle really began to appear only in the XI century. He became the emperor’s emblem, coat of arms of the Byzantine Empire only under the Paleologists (the last and most durable imperial dynasty in Byzantium), already in the XIII century.
It is also known that in the XII century this symbol was used not only by Byzantium. As an element of the palace decor, as a personal emblem of the double-headed eagle, a number of Asian rulers also adopted it. For example, the sultans Kay-Kubad, Salah ad-Din, the Zangid dynasty and Artukid.
Description
Let us present a description of the coat of arms of the Byzantine Empire. This is a coat of arms in the form of a mythical eagle with two heads. One of them is strictly looking to the right, the other - to the left. There were also such variations: in the coat of arms there were two eagles, located one after another. From what is depicted in the background, only the head was visible.
Two heads are not depicted here by chance. They do not just look strictly left and right. She seems to be facing the west of the empire, and the other to the east.
The symbol, therefore, embodies the unity of Asia and Europe, West and East. The double-headed Byzantine eagle is a symbol of the greatness of power and its divinity.
Symbol of Paleologists
You can consider a photo of the coat of arms of the Byzantine Empire in the article. But this is only the symbolic name of the double-headed eagle. Most historians consider it the emblem of the last Byzantine dynasty - the Paleologists. It was a symbol of the older members of the family. It is known that he was depicted on regalia, embroidered on imperial robes. In particular, the image of a mythical bird could be seen on the boots of the last Byzantine emperor Constantine XI Paleolog.
Once the eagle could be seen on the ship's flag - the ship on which John VII Paleologus sailed to the Ferraro-Florentine Cathedral. Sfrandji has evidence of this. This ship is also depicted on the doors of Filaret in St. Peter's Basilica.
Other borrowings
The history of the coat of arms of the Byzantine Empire shows that the Paleologists borrowed it from more ancient peoples and cultures. But the series of borrowings did not stop at Byzantium.
This coat of arms was also considered the emblem of rulers in the lands subordinate to Byzantium. For example, on Lesbos, in the Mores despot. He was depicted not only on imperial robes, but also on the flags of the Trebizond empire.
If we turn to the Western European portulans (sea charts) of the XIV-XV centuries, we will see that the golden or silver two-headed eagle was more often understood, noted, as a symbol of Trebizond, and not the Byzantine Empire.
If you look at the history of the coat of arms, the fall of the Byzantine Empire, you can find out that at the time, the image of the one-headed one was used simultaneously with the two-headed eagle. Moreover, both in the symbolism of Byzantium, and in the symbolism of Trebizond. He was also minted on coins, portrayed on flags.
After the fall of the great empire, the Byzantine symbol was adopted by other states - Bulgaria, Serbia, Albania. Also from 1472, he became the coat of arms of the Russian state. It is known that, along with the one-headed eagle, the two-headed eagle began to be used by the Holy Roman Empire from the time of Frederick the Second.
Russian coats of arms
We will take a closer look at how Russia became the successor to the Byzantine coat of arms. Prior to this, in Russia in the XII-XIV centuries. already had urban, grand-princely heraldic symbols. So, it was known that the ancient Moscow coat of arms was a horseman, a spear hitting a dragon.
But over time, the borrowed Byzantine symbol began to play the main role. But how did he appear in Russia? In this regard, there are many stories, legends and myths. It happened about 500 years ago. Imagine the most proven version.
The appearance of the double-headed eagle in Russia
The borrowing of the Byzantine coat of arms from our state dates back to 1472. It was then that the marriage of the Great Moscow Prince Ivan the Third and the Byzantine Princess Sophia from the Paleologue clan took place. Under this ruler, the unification of Russian lands was finally completed. There were other significant positive changes: dependence on the Golden Horde completely disappeared, trade relations with Western Europe began to be established. Sudebnik was adopted - a single code of laws for the entire Moscow state.
What inspired the Grand Duke to accept a new emblem for the state? First of all, the desire to speak in the international arena on a par with the Western European rulers. In addition, in the coat of arms, he wanted to capture the formed family relationship with the imperial dynasty. To make friends with the Byzantine royal family was then considered a great honor for the rulers of even the most powerful states.
In addition, such a coat of arms emphasized the idea important for those times of Russian history: "Moscow is the third Rome, and there will never be a fourth!"
Russian modifications
Having become a symbol of the Moscow state (and then the Russian Empire, the Russian Federation), the two-headed eagle has undergone some changes:
- Ivan the Third combined this image with the Moscow coat of arms - George the Victorious, striking a serpent with a spear.
- In the XVII century, in the clutches of a coat of arms, a power and a scepter began to be depicted. These were the traditional regalia of monarchical states.
- Fyodor Ioannovich between the heads of an eagle crowned with crowns, placed the Orthodox cross. This is no coincidence - in 1589 a patriarchate was established, which meant the church independence of Russia.
- Under Mikhail Romanov, the image of St. George the Victorious was again added to the chest of the eagle.
- Pavel the First added the Maltese symbolism to the Russian coat of arms - a crown and a cross. Under Alexander the First, it was removed.
- After World War II, the eagle began to be depicted with spread wings. In his paws, he began to hold a wreath, a torch and lightnings instead of a power and a scepter.
- Under Alexander the Second, the heraldic symbol affected the most serious changes. The ruler for this created a special stamp office. We changed the image of both the eagle and St. George the Victorious. The new coat of arms was approved in 1857. In this form, it existed until the fall of the Russian Empire in 1917.
Its successor, the USSR, canceled the royal heraldic sign. Instead, a completely different emblem began to be used - a sickle and a hammer.
Modern use
As for modern states, many of them are successors to the Byzantine symbol:
- RF A symbol of the state since 1993 is a double-headed golden eagle with a scepter, power and outstretched wings. He is crowned with three crowns.
- Albania. The symbol is represented on the flag, coat of arms, lek.
- Armenia. The eagle is depicted in the upper right corner of the shield on the coat of arms.
- Serbia It is depicted not only on the flag, coat of arms, but also on postage stamps and other state documents.
- Montenegro The image is used on the coat of arms and flag.
Also, the double-headed eagle was depicted on the flag and other symbols of the unrecognized state of the Donetsk People's Republic.
The Byzantine coat of arms was considered as a single-headed or double-headed eagle. However, the history of this symbol goes back centuries - to the Hittite times. The eagle was borrowed from Byzantium and other states, including Russia.