The symbolism of the Omsk coat of arms reflects the history of our country as if in a mirror. The ancient city, created in 1716, remembers Empress Catherine the Great, by whose decree the first official symbol of the city was approved in 1785. In order to streamline the administrative system, Catherine ordered the emblems to be assigned to cities that play a significant role in the country's economy and geopolitics. So, in the same year, a Charter was issued, which officially approved the status of Omsk as a district city.
The history of the coat of arms of Omsk
At the top of the coat of arms was a golden pyramid - a symbol of success and wealth. It is located on a blue background, which symbolizes the confluence of the Om and Irtysh rivers . The pyramid is decorated with military symbols: bowed banners, halberds and drums - signs of military prowess and glory. Siberian cities sometimes had to be conquered from the rebellious khans. The fortress of orange color is depicted on the lower part of gray, as a fortification of the Russian state in Siberia. The heraldic shield of the celebrated French form is the most common in Russian heraldry. The type of coat of arms, divided by a horizontal strip into two colors, is called crossed. It is this form and type that characterizes the coat of arms of Omsk. This symbol lasted quite a while. In 1973, a newly made coat of arms was approved, which showed the industrial power of the city. It is interesting that the imperial official symbol survived quite a long time in the Soviet period, despite the fact that red banners and halberds could be emblems of the enemies of Soviet power, the city where the headquarters of the Supreme Ruler of Russia during the bloody civil war - A.V. Kolchak was located.
In the period of the USSR
The Soviet heraldic sign depicted the riches of the city: developed industry (gear in the center of the coat of arms), rich Siberian land giving a plentiful harvest (golden ears of braided gear), a high level of development of petrochemical science (flask filled with oil). The emblem also contains the date of the city’s creation, its name and the scheme of the ancient fortress located at the confluence of the rivers.
Attempt to create a new coat of arms
During the increased interest in the native history and its active revision, a new coat of arms of Omsk was created. It was approved in 1995. The French shield crowned with a crown is divided into four parts by a yellow cross, which means the middle position of the city in relation to the West-East and North-South. The blue ribbon symbolizes the river edge. At the base of the cross is a diagram of the ancient fortress of Omsk. Inside the fortress is a symbol of the Trans-Siberian Railway. The heraldic shield is surrounded by a laurel wreath, which is entwined with a red ribbon - a symbol of victories and glory.
In 2002 there was an attempt to restore the imperial coat of arms, but it was not included in the register of Russian heraldry. Repeatedly, up to 2007, attempts were made to modernize and modify the symbol, as a result, the emblem changed radically.
Description of Innovation
By the decision of the city council No. 221 of 04.16.2014, an updated coat of arms of Omsk was established. The description pretentiously reads: “In a silver field rises a scarlet, mutated black wall with small but distinctly visible triangular bastions. The shield itself is pretentiously crowned with a golden tower crown of five equivalent teeth, carefully aligned around the hoop with a gold laurel wreath, and framed to top with the ribbon of the Order of the Red Banner of Labor. Shield holders are also extraordinary: the fusilier of infantry regiments of the times of Peter the Great and the Siberian Cossack in uniform and weapons of the second half of the 18th century. Foot: green land, generously overgrown with grass and silver feather. Motto: “it is the main fortress” is inscribed with scarlet letters on a silver ribbon. ”
Possible new options?
The coat of arms of the city of Omsk creates an amazing impression on the viewer. Photos of this symbol are the most diverse. You can even find options that were considered as projects and were not officially approved. However, the last image of the heraldic symbol causes, to say the least, bewilderment. The main emphasis is placed on the fortress, which in the new coat of arms occupies the central part of the figure. It is clear that under Catherine II this was the advantage and merit of the city - an outpost in the Siberian kingdom. Why modern compilers decided to perpetuate this long-obsolete advantage is unknown. Usually the townspeople painted distinctive signs or any advantages on their coat of arms. If you study the history of the city by alternating symbols, you can easily notice how its value changes, merit is lost. Now it’s just a fortress, the main one by Catherine the Great, not particularly distinguishing itself from the Siberian taiga. The rich historical heritage has been lost in favor of the bureaucratic unity of style. In addition, the Omsk coat of arms can be used in the form of a single shield. Then it turns out a very sad picture in the form of a lone red strip across the white background, it’s not known where it came from and it’s not known why it appeared. Criticism of the new symbol of Omsk, perhaps, will force officials to reconsider it and return to the first coat of arms bestowed by Catherine II. This will emphasize the historical advantage of the city and return to it a certain flair of elevation and invincibility.