Veliky Ustyug is one of the oldest cities in the Russian North, located in the northeastern part of the Vologda Oblast. First mentioned in documents at the beginning of the 13th century. In this article we will talk in detail about the flag and coat of arms of Veliky Ustyug. In addition, you will find out some interesting facts about this ancient town.
Veliky Ustyug: administration, population and economy of the city
The city is located 450 kilometers from Vologda, at the confluence of two northern rivers - Sukhona and the South. This point, by the way, is considered to be the source of the Northern Dvina. The name Ustyug, according to one version, came from the location of the village near the mouth of the South. The prefix "Great" the city received in the XVI century with the filing of Ivan the Terrible, when the sovereign included him in the list of oprichnik donor cities.
Today, about 32 thousand people live in Veliky Ustyug. At the same time, the population of the city in recent years, unfortunately, has been declining. The local economy is based on the country's largest pellet production plant, distillery, brush brushes and souvenir factories. The administration of Veliky Ustyug is located in the city center, at the address: 101 Sovetskiy Avenue. Today, the functions of the head of the city are performed by Sergey Kapustin.
Veliky Ustyug is a city with a great cultural and architectural heritage. In 2009, he also became the birthplace of Russian Santa Claus, which turned him into one of the most important centers of family tourism in the country. Next, we will talk in more detail about the flag and coat of arms of Veliky Ustyug. After all, their appearance surprises all tourists and guests of this city, without exception.
Flag and coat of arms of Veliky Ustyug: photo and description
The Great Ustyug is, first of all, the estate of Santa Claus. Therefore, the presence on the official symbols of this city of a half-naked man with jugs is a little puzzling. Although he has a beard, he clearly does not look like a hero of Russian winter tales.
The flag of Veliky Ustyug is a rectangular cloth of standard sizes (aspect ratio: 2: 3). The central figure of the flag is Neptune (or Aquarius) in silver clothes sitting on a coastal cliff. In his hands he holds two red jugs, from which two streams of water pour out towards each other. At the same time, one of the jugs is located on the lap of Aquarius, and the other is located directly on the slope.
The drawing of the city flag was designed by the artist Oleg Sviridenko and approved in November 2005. Although the history of this image is rooted in the XVIII century. The coat of arms of Veliky Ustyug is based on a classic French shield with a point below. The image on it is completely identical to what we see on the flag.
The meaning of urban characters
The emblem of absolutely any city is designed to contain its historical, natural-geographical or cultural identity. But to unravel the heraldic code of the Great Ustyug is not so simple. Where did Neptune come from? And what does he mean?
For the first time, we find the image of an ancient Roman deity in the “Signal Stamp” of Count Minich in 1730. According to the creators of this emblem, an aquarius with jugs was supposed to symbolize the exceptionally advantageous geographical position of the Great Ustyug. It is easy to guess that the streams of water flowing from two pitchers are the rivers South and Sukhona. Later, the same composition adorned the banners of the army regiments, which were stationed in Veliky Ustyug.
At the heart of the current urban symbolism is three colors: green, silver and red. According to the canons of heraldic science, their meaning is as follows:
- Green is the color of wealth and prosperity.
- Silver is the color of moral purity and spirituality.
- Red is the color of wealth and luxury.
Veliky Ustyug Neptune
In 1983, a bronze figure of Aquarius was installed at the river station in Veliky Ustyug. The following inscription is engraved on a small pedestal stone:
Connects gray-haired Aquarius
Rivers with each other.
Connects among groves and fields
Sukhon with the South.
The author of the allegorical sculpture is Yekaterina Vishnevetskaya, an artist and architect from St. Petersburg.
It would seem, what does Neptune, the patron of the seas and oceans, have to do with the Great Ustyug? But do not forget that in ancient Roman mythology this god oversaw not only oceanic, but also river waters.