The city of Murmansk has a glorious history. During World War II, the city stubbornly repelled German attacks, which earned it the title of a hero city. The Soviet Union awarded the city many orders. Previously called Romanov-on-Murman, Murmansk was the last city created in the Russian Empire. Now this city, which is located beyond the Arctic Circle, is one of the largest ports of the Russian Federation. What symbols does the emblem of Murmansk contain? Does his official symbolism speak of a great past?
Coat of arms of Murmansk: photo, description
The special significance of the city of Murmansk is reflected in the coat of arms of the city, which is its socio-historical symbol. The coat of arms of Murmansk, authored by Nikolai Petrovich Bystryakov, was approved in 2004 after some changes.
The modern version of the coat of arms is a shield pointed downwards. His composition is divided into two unequal parts. The upper part, large in size, is painted in azure color. Here is a ship of gold color, above which the northern lights are depicted in gold. At the bottom of the coat of arms is a fish of azure color on a yellow or gold background.
Coat of arms
Thanks to the symbolic elements on it, the Coat of Arms of Murmansk reports on the main features of the city. Unlike many other emblems, its symbols are quite understandable and do not make references to the distant historical past of Murmansk. Rather, these symbols are intended to reflect the essence of the city.
The vessel shown at the top of the coat of arms is a trawler, a fishing vessel. It simultaneously reflects one of the main professions in the city - a sailor and, at the same time, represents Murmansk as a major seaport. Azure fish also reflects a common professional occupation - fishing.
According to one version, the yellow background at the bottom of the coat of arms together with the fish on it symbolizes the richness of the deep sea, and the blue or azure color is used in the meaning of water. According to another version, these two colors are symbols of the polar night and the polar day. The aurora at the top reports the geographical position of the city.
Coat of arms history
The coat of arms of Murmansk was created by the architect N.P. Bystryakov back in 1966, it was his project that won the competition. The official version of the coat of arms was published two years later in the Polar Star newspaper. Then, instead of the azure color, it was blue. In 2004, the color changed. In the upper part of the coat of arms, according to Soviet tradition, there was an inscription with the name of the city. The original sketches of the coat of arms are stored in the local museum of local lore, its detailed description is also located there.
In 2012, a competition was again announced for the development of a new coat of arms of Murmansk. So, another option was developed in which the coat of arms of Murmansk is held by two winged griffins. Griffins are depicted with fish tails, perhaps to emphasize the special connection of Murmansk with water. In heraldry, griffins usually symbolize strength and insight, as they contain the features of a lion and an eagle. In ancient times they were considered treasure keepers. Usually, in heraldry they are depicted only with wings (female griffin) or only with tails.
At the top of the shield of the new version of the coat of arms is the golden crown. Behind the shield is the golden star of the hero city, however, only the tips of its rays are visible. Images of the ship and fish have a slightly different look. The vessel is shown in a more archaic image, and the fish is complemented by small details and has acquired a more concrete look. Now the fish is like cod. At the foot of the shield is a azure ribbon with the motto: “Over the old limits”.
Conclusion
The officially adopted coat of arms of the city of Murmansk is silent about the great military past of the hero city. Now the image is quite simple and reflects the modern essence of the city.