The large city on the Kama River has been on the map of Russia since 1723. This article will focus on its symbols. When did the flag and coat of arms of Perm appear? What do they mean?
A few words about the history of Russian heraldry
Originally the word "coat of arms" originated in Germany. Literally, it can be translated into Russian as an “inheritance”. At first, the term migrated from Germany to Poland, and then it penetrated and took root in Russia.
The first attempts in Russia to create his own heraldic system were observed among the princes of Rurikovich. At first, patrimonial (family) emblems appeared. Under Ivan the Terrible, emblems began to be developed for entire lands. Much has changed in the XVII century, after Ukraine joined Russia. At this time, the influence of Polish traditions on the Russian nobility significantly increased. In particular, the culture of West European heraldry penetrates the country.
Under Peter the Great, a post of herald master already existed in Russia, which was supposed to come up with coats of arms for individual cities of the empire. After the death of the king, this initiative was a little suspended. Interest in herbalism was revived only under Catherine II.
The city of Perm: the history and origin of the toponym
In 1720, Tsar Peter I ordered to choose a place in the Siberian province for the construction of a smelter. The order was executed by Vasily Tatishchev, choosing a place near the village of Egoshikhi. A few years later a new city arose here.
The city received another impetus for development in 1878, after the opening of the Ural Railway. By the beginning of the twentieth century, the population of Perm reached fifty thousand. Here appeared its own theater and cinema.
The word perm has very ancient roots and is translated from the Vepsian language as “distant land”. According to many researchers, the so-called territories in which Perm is now located are representatives of the Finno-Ugric people (Vepsians).
The city, of course, has its own official symbols. What is the meaning of the flag and coat of arms of Perm? This will be discussed later.
Coat of arms of Perm: photo and history
In what year did the main urban symbol emerge? The emblem of the city of Perm owes its appearance to Empress Catherine the Second, who approved it back in 1783. It is immediately worth noting that its initial appearance was practically no different from the modern one. However, more on that later.
The coat of arms of Perm, adopted at the end of the 18th century, existed in this form until the 60s of the 20th century. In 1968, as a result of the competition, a radically new version was approved. The main element of the new urban symbol was the sketch of the monument "Fighters of the Revolution", which is located on Mount HSE. The monument was depicted on a heraldic shield consisting of three vertical stripes: blue, red and green. Only in 1998, the city returned its historical emblem.
Coat of arms of Perm: description and symbolism
The main symbol of Perm (as in almost all city emblems of modern Russia) is based on a classic French-style shield, pointed at the bottom. It is red in color, so the whole coat of arms looks very rich and noble. Elements on it are placed vertically, one above the other. There are three of them (listed from bottom to top):
- bear;
- Gospel book (located on the back of the beast);
- four-pointed cross of silver color.
The entire coat of arms is concise and restrained. Images are not oversaturated with details and colors. Such restraint is fully compensated by the depth of semantics of the arms.
What does the coat of arms of Perm mean? Let's try to figure this out.
It’s worth starting with the background of the coat of arms. This is the most popular color in heraldry - scarlet. It, as a rule, symbolizes courage, courage, courage. In this case, he can also confirm the capital status of the city.
A silver-colored bear means vast territories and great natural wealth. The Perm Territory is known to be rich in ore reserves and precious metals. It is worth noting the fact that the beast is shown in motion, which represents development and prospects. It is curious that at the end of the XVIII century, during the first approval of the coat of arms of Perm, the bear symbolized a completely different thing - the savagery of local customs. We are talking about the indigenous peoples who previously inhabited Siberia.
The gospel is not only a symbol of the Christian religion. This book also symbolizes enlightenment. The silver cross located at the top of the city coat of arms has roughly the same meaning.
Flag of Perm and its short description
The flag of the city of Perm was officially approved in 1999 (a year later than the coat of arms). It has the appearance of a standard rectangular panel of red color, which depicts the same elements as on the city coat of arms. This is a bear, the gospel, as well as a four-pointed cross. And the bear goes towards the flagpole.
All elements of the flag, with the exception of the holy book, are silver. The gospel is painted in yellow (gold) color, which is symbolic for Christianity. According to the approved standards, all elements should occupy 2/5 of the total length of the flag.
Finally
The modern flag, as well as the coat of arms of the city of Perm, were approved in the late 1990s. They are based on symbols that were developed at the end of the XVIII century.
The modern coat of arms of Perm (like the flag) contains three key symbols. This is an image of a walking bear, the holy book of the gospel, as well as a four-pointed silver cross. The drawing and the palette on the city emblem are very restrained and concise.
The city’s flag is practically no different from its coat of arms and contains the same elements.