Coats of arms were awarded to people, cities, regions as far back as the Middle Ages. Information encrypted in symbols and colors could tell a lot about the owner of the symbolism. What conceals the emblem of the Moscow region and how was the history of the Moscow emblems?
Coat of arms of the Moscow region
The symbol of the Moscow region is a coat of arms depicting George the Victorious. On a red coat of arms George in a blue cloak and silver armor, sitting on a horse, pierces with a sword a golden serpent or a dragon. At the top of the coat of arms is the Imperial Gold Crown. The final element of the composition is attached to a red ribbon with gold stripes on the sides. This is a tape of the three orders of Lenin.
The idea of creating the main coat of arms of the region belongs to K.F. Mochenov. The emblem of the Moscow region repeats some elements of the emblem adopted in the Moscow province. There are several options for the coat of arms. It is entirely permissible to reproduce only a shield with the image of St. George without a crown and ribbons on the sides and bottom, and sometimes only ribbons are missing.
George the Victorious has long been considered the patron saint of the Russian state and people. Defeating a serpent with wings, the Saint seems to conquer evil forces, the personification of which is usually a serpent.
The Golden Crown means power and power, while confirming the dominant status of the Moscow Region. The ribbons framing the coat of arms are the rewards of the region for its merits.
Each element that makes up heraldry means something. Colors also make sense. The golden color of the crown speaks of greatness and justice. This is the color of kings and emperors. The silver horse and armor of St. George the Victorious signify truthfulness and nobility. His blue or azure cloak is a symbol of honesty, virtue and fidelity. The purple saddle is no coincidence either. Purple is considered the color of courage and dignity.
The flag and coat of arms of the Moscow Region are very similar. The flag of the region completely repeats the image of St. George on the coat of arms. Here the image of the Great Martyr is located on a red canvas in the upper left corner.
Coats of arms of the Moscow region
Each of the 29 districts of the Moscow region has its own coat of arms. Many coats of arms were created back in the days of the Moscow province. Later their compositions were changed, but at the heart of many emblems were the symbols preceding them. So, for example, the coat of arms of the Moscow Region was initially bordered by oak leaves.
The trefoil on the coat of arms of the Shchelkovo region used to have a slightly different look. He was depicted not in red but in golden color, like the yellow line under the blue waves on top of the coat of arms. Shamrock is often present in Russian folk patterns and means a box of cotton flower. The shuttle is located in the center, as before, recalling the developed sphere of textile production. Now neither the year of its creation, nor the main city of the region is indicated on the coat of arms, nor has the Russian flag been removed. Previously, all of these elements were present.
Coats of arms, as a rule, carry information about the city or area to which they belong, as well as about their historical past. A boat on the coat of arms of Mytishchensky district speaks of the Yauzky path, which once passed through Mytishchi. The aqueduct marks the first plumbing in Russia.
The coat of arms of the Ruza district is based on the city coat of arms of the city of Ruza. Four cross swords report numerous battles in these places. The horseman striking a snake speaks of the subordination of the district to Moscow lands.
Beginning of the tradition of city emblems
The tradition of city emblems was introduced by Catherine II at the same time as giving cities autonomy. Each city was given a coat of arms, which was used in various "urban affairs." This reform was to promote urban self-government and give cities greater rights. A hindrance for this was the decree on the division of the coat of arms into two halves: in the upper part the vicarious emblems were placed, and in the lower part - city ones. The design of two emblems on one shield testified to the subordination of cities to the state and the nobility, which reduced the rights of citizens. The only emblems of the cities of the Moscow region on which governorship was not indicated are the coat of arms of Serpukhov, Kolomna and Kashira.
Modern heraldic norms
Nicholas I broke the tradition of dividing the shield into two parts and created a new system for the design of emblems. Belonging to the province was depicted in a quadrangle, which was attached to the upper part of the shield from the inside. Nicholas I developed a code for the compilation of Russian emblems based on world heraldic rules and norms, which are observed today.
During the Soviet Union, many of the values of heraldry were lost, and compilation standards were not respected. Restoration of the heraldic tradition began only in 1992. A special commission was created, which monitored and eliminated inaccuracies in the preparation of emblems. Errors, for example, were considered names and dates on the arms, incorrectly used symbols.
Finally
The tradition of composing emblems was created long ago, but has survived to this day. Allegorical symbols: fortresses, swords, animals depicted on the arms, and now tell stories of the past.