The main symbols of any state are the flag, coat of arms and anthem. Such a trinity in the practice of human society has developed relatively recently, only at the end of the 19th century. But this fact does not apply to the state emblem. This symbol has a more ancient origin. So, the coat of arms of the Russian Empire arose in the Middle Ages. In the same period, this kind of symbolism appeared in many European countries.
As for the
flag of the Russian Empire, its colors were approved only under Peter I. A cloth with white-blue-red stripes is the symbolism of the fleet of the great tsar. For a long time, this flag “competed” with the
imperial banner of black-yellow-white coloring. And only after two hundred years, the white-blue-red banner was finally approved.
In the 19th century the emblem and flag of the Russian Empire annexed the third component - the anthem. In their unity, they have become a real symbol of the country.
What is a coat of arms?
State symbols and their meaning in the Middle Ages were given great importance. In this case, people assigned a special role to those signs that were the personification of the sovereign, the supreme power and the idea of their domination over their subjects. The emblem served as a similar distinguishing sign in our country.
This word came to us from the Poles. Translated from the language of this people, the word "coat of arms" means "inheritance." This symbol has always been a distinctive sign, an emblem that depicted those objects that belonged to the owner. Moreover, once created, such a coat of arms was inherited.
The Poles, in turn, borrowed this word from the Crusaders. These warriors shields with patrimonial signs were inherited from father to son.
Symbol of modern Russia
On December 25, 2009, the Federal Law approved the Regulation on the State Emblem of the Russian Federation. This official symbol of Russia is a quadrangular red shield with rounded lower corners, pointed at its tip. On this symbol is a golden double-headed eagle, which raised its spread wings. The bird is crowned with two small crowns, above which there is one large. They are all connected by tape. In the right paw, the eagle squeezes the scepter, and in the left - the power. A red shield is painted on the bird’s chest, which depicts a galloping silver horseman dressed in a blue cloak. Sitting on a silver horse, he smashes a black serpent overturned backward with a silver spear.
Each of the emblem's signs has a special meaning. So, the crowns represent the sovereignty of not only the Russian Federation, but also of all subjects of the federation. The power and scepter in the clutches of an eagle are symbols of power and a single state.
However, the coat of arms was not always of this kind. In its history, the figure has undergone many changes.
The appearance of the symbol of the state
The history of the coat of arms of the Russian Empire began in the 15th century. In 1472, John III Vasilievich married Sophia Fominichna Paleolog, the niece of Constantine XI Dragas. This last of the Byzantine emperors used the image of a double-headed eagle on the emblem of his dynasty. After the death of Constantine XI Dragas, the brother of Sophia, Andrei, was considered the heir to the throne. However, Ivan III bought his inheritance rights. After that, as the successor to the emperor of the Eastern part of the Roman Empire, he began to use the symbol of the double-headed eagle. And this image was the best suited for the emblem of Russia. Wings have long been associated with flight. Moreover, the analogy existed not only in the literal, but also in the figurative sense. As a symbol of the state, they meant the pursuit of the highest and the flight of thought. They also meant the ability to balance the opposite principles.
Since ancient times, many nations have preferred to use the power of the eagle as an emblem. This brave, beautiful and intelligent bird has always been associated with immortality and greatness, strength and fearlessness. But the two-headed image of the eagle indicates double wisdom, vigilant wakefulness, perfection and prosperity. The initial appearance of the bird on the coat of arms corresponded to the drawing that was depicted on the throne brought by Sophia Paleolog. It was an eagle with crowns on two heads, with lowered wings and with closed beaks.
These birds began to soar proudly among the domes of Russian churches precisely from the reign of John III. The first double-headed eagle appeared on the Spasskaya Tower of the Kremlin after the liberation of the country from the Tatar-Mongol yoke. At this point it is right up to the October Revolution, when the Bolsheviks overthrew the symbol of the Russian Empire.
Symbol of the state in the 16th century
During the reign of Vasily III - the son of Ivan III - Russia continued to unite its lands, gradually turning into the world center of Orthodoxy. In the first third of the 16th century the eagle on her coat of arms opened its beaks and stuck out its tongues. This symbolized the strength of the state, capable of protecting itself from enemies.
From the middle of the 16th century, during the reign of Ivan IV, the coat of arms of the Russian Empire was somewhat modified. The eagle spread its wings wide, as if for flight, and crowns appeared on its head. On the chest of the bird a horseman ("rider") was placed, striking a serpent with a spear.
Throughout the following centuries, the description of the coat of arms of the Russian Empire remained virtually unchanged. Subsequently, only some additions were made to the main symbol of the country, and its art form was also modified.
Coat of arms of Russia in the 17th century
At the beginning of the seventeenth century, Tsar Mikhail Romanov ruled the country . Under him, Russia gradually began to turn into a developed and prosperous state. It was during this period that the eagle, decorating the coat of arms of the Russian Empire, had another, third crown. These attributes have become a symbol of the Holy Trinity.
In 1667, Aleksei Mikhailovich published the Code, and five years later the Titular appeared, which was the first Russian coat of arms. Such documents as the “state emblem of the Russian Empire” were officially fixed in these documents. It was from this period that the science of heraldry began to develop in the country.
The reign of Peter the Great
Under this king, the emblem and flag of the Russian Empire became even more established as symbols of a great power. It was on the orders of Peter I that a three-color banner appeared. At first, merchant ships went under it, and after that this flag became a symbol of the Russian state.
Some changes were made by Peter the Great in the drawing of the coat of arms. Elements appeared on it adorning the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called. This is one of the disciples of Jesus Christ - the Holy Apostle. According to legend, it was Andrew the First-Called who was engaged in the propaganda of Christianity in those lands where the Eastern Slavs lived. It happened in the first century AD.
The emblem of the order in the form of a slanting cross, on which was the image of the crucified Jesus, was ordered to be placed in the tail of an eagle. The letters “SAPR” were placed at the ends of the cross. Their translation from Latin meant "St. Andrew - the patron saint of Russia."
Another sign of the order is the chain, which Peter I ordered to place around the shield with the image of a rider. This attribute has become a symbol of unity of the territory located around Moscow.
From the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called, he borrowed a coat of arms and a blue ribbon, which today connects all three crowns. Heraldry science presents this detail as a symbol of fidelity to the traditions of previous generations, as well as a desire to preserve the best that grandfathers and fathers left behind (military glory, scientific and cultural achievements, national identity).
Under Peter I, the coat of arms of the Russian Empire received a new color scheme. So, the eagle was painted black, its paws, beak, tongue, eyes, and various attributes turned out to be golden, George the Victorious began to be depicted in silver, and the snake, like the eagle, acquired a black color. This color scheme was preserved during the time when the Romanov dynasty was on the throne.
Reign of Paul I
This ruler was the first after Peter the Great to make significant changes to the state emblem of the Russian Empire. It was under Paul I that all previous versions of this symbol were unified, which made it possible to bring them to one form.
On the wings of an eagle, the king ordered the canvases of Masonic flags to be placed. A Maltese cross appeared on the chest of the bird, which was distinguished by forked ends. On one of them (the upper one) was depicted the crown of the Grand Master of the Order, which was Paul I. It was a secret community, striving to create a worldwide organization to unite all people in a fraternal union. Why was the Maltese cross depicted on the coat of arms of Russia? The fact is that, in the opinion of Paul I, it is our country that should lead humanity to this unification.
However, the ruler soon realized that it was too early to display hidden thoughts on public display. The hour of the world union has not yet arrived. In this regard, in 1800, Paul I published a Manifesto, which states that it is necessary to create the Great State Emblem of the Russian Empire. However, the king was soon killed, and the implementation of this plan was postponed for half a century.
Reign of Alexander II
The large coat of arms of the Russian Empire was created precisely with this king. From the previous options it was distinguished by the presence of shield holders. They were the figures of two saints: Archangel Michael, head of the Higher Forces, as well as Archangel Gabriel, who is the forerunner of all life, including spiritual.
Above the shield, an image of the helmet of Alexander Nevsky, the Grand Duke, who defended Russia from the Teutonic Order, was inflicted. In its central part, the Great Coat of Arms of the Russian Empire was decorated with ermine mantle. This detail served as a symbol of monarchical power. The eagle on this version of the state emblem seemed to be hugging a circle, which consisted of the coats of arms of all fifty-two territories of Russia. At the top of the symbol was depicted a canopy with the motto "God bless us." There was also a banner with the Orthodox cross above it. All these symbols meant the guidance and help of the Higher Forces.
In the center of the emblem, the coat of arms of Moscow with St. George was invariably depicted. The horseman symbolized the desire of the Russian people to unite around the capital.
The large state emblem was introduced by decree of Alexander II on April 11, 1857. And no significant changes were made to it until the October Revolution.
Alexander II adopted by decree the Small State Emblem of the Russian Empire and the Middle. The second of them, unlike the Bolshoi, did not have six emblem shields over the canopy and a banner in its image. The small coat of arms of the Russian Empire did not have a canopy and emblems surrounded by the main shield. In other words, it was much simpler in its image. In this regard, the Small Coat of Arms was used in wide practice.
Reign of Alexander III
In 1882, the Great Coat of Arms again underwent some changes. This was stated in the decree of Alexander III, published on November 3. A shield was added to the image of the main symbol of the country, on which the coat of arms of Turkestan, which became part of the Russian state in 1867, was displayed. Some other changes were made. So, in one united the shields of the coats of arms of the Belarusian and Lithuanian principalities. Oak and laurel branches, symbolizing courage, valor, merit, honor and glory, began to be used as a frame.
The overthrow of royal power
The interim government, which led Russia in February 1917, left the double-headed eagle as the main symbol of the state. However, now the bird began to be depicted without crowns, powers, a scepter, with wings down. The coat of arms and the horseman disappeared from the image.
The Bolsheviks, who came to power in October 1917, completely abolished the symbols of the Russian Empire. They created their own coat of arms, the structure of which resembled the arrangement of parts on the Great Coat of Arms. So, the two-headed eagle in the center was replaced by a hammer and sickle, and the canopy was replaced by a globe in the sun. Instead of laurel and oak leaves, ears appeared, and the cross was changed to a star. Instead of the motto “God bless us,” the cry “Workers of all countries, unite!” Appeared.
Only on November 30, 1993, President of Russia Yeltsin issued a decree on the return of the double-headed eagle to the coat of arms. And until now, this bird symbolizes the unity and power of Russia.
Noble Symbols
In pre-revolutionary Russia, the coat of arms could also be an emblem indicating belonging to a noble family. Moreover, this symbol was inherited. The first emblems of the nobility of the Russian Empire appeared only at the end of the 17th century. These signs possessed a composition explaining the merits, origin and status of the genus. At the end of the 17th century their first collection was compiled.
Coats of arms of the noble families of the Russian Empire began to increase attention to themselves after the introduction of the Table of Ranks. This document established the possibility of length of service. However, only a hereditary nobleman could use it.
Tribal coats of arms were made according to all the rules of heraldry. They depicted a battle shield, helmet, mantles, crowns, as well as colored ornaments that served as the background. There were shield holders, mottos and some other artistic elements on these symbols. Representing noble coats of arms, eight colors were used, among them blue and red, purple and green, white and black. If the figure depicted a person, then it was allowed to use a body color.
Symbols of cities
This heraldry appeared in Russia quite late. Its founder was Tsar Peter I. Before the coats of arms of the cities of the Russian Empire, seals decorated with various emblems served as symbols of settlements.
In 1962, Peter the Great issued a decree. It was for the first time that such a term as “city coat of arms” appeared. The decree of Yaroslavl concerned. Then the symbol of the city was created, which we see today - a bear holding a protazan on his shoulder.
It is worth saying that the coats of arms of the cities of the Russian Empire for the most part depicted birds, fish and animals. On some of them one could see sabers, bows and swords.
Coats of arms of the cities of the Russian Empire were displayed on the seals of the judiciary. They could also be seen on the banners of the regiments stationed in a particular locality. Gradually, these symbols began to enter more and more into the life of the Russian public. That is why the government began to treat the city emblems as official distinguishing marks of settlements. These symbols began to assert at the state level. In 1722, Peter I founded the Geroldmeister Office. It was a special institution, the task of which was to compose emblems. In the office, the king gathered the most experienced draftsmen. And already by 1785, coats of arms of almost all Russian cities received official registration.
Initially, new symbolism was drawn, as before. In other words, the emblem was placed on the shield. Further, the city emblem began to be executed in a slightly different composition. In its upper part placed the symbolism of governorship (province). This caused criticism by connoisseurs of heraldry. With this arrangement, the coats of arms of the provinces of the Russian Empire were considered the main, and everything should have been the other way around. By the middle of the 19th century these comments were taken into account. Coats of arms of the provinces began to be placed in the free field of the shield to the right or left of the main drawing.