One of the essential attributes of any statealong with the flag and anthem is the coat of arms. What is a short word borrowed from the Polish language meant in the old days, few know. That is why you will certainly be interested to know the history of such images. The interpretation of some symbols adorning one or another famous emblem is also of curiosity.
What?
In Polish, the “coat of arms” sounds like “herb”.This expression is a distorted version of the German word, which translates as "emblem". They were originally designated a distinctive sign, which was inherited. The coat of arms depicted objects symbolizing its owner (person, genus, estate, city or country).
History
The study of the origin of a coat of armsengaged in heraldry - the science that originated in the Middle Ages. This is a serious historical discipline that accurately determines which symbols can be applied to the state or family coat of arms, and so on, and also explains the significance of certain figures.
Many will certainly be surprised to learn about the coat of arms thatKnights began to wear such an image on the shield, weapons and clothes because of the need to fight in a helmet with a visor. He prevented people from seeing and recognizing an enemy or ally in him, so something was needed that could identify a warrior. This was especially important during the crusades, when the army of knights arrived from Europe consisted of representatives from different countries.
Since, most often, the signs that indicate the country and affiliation of one or another aristocratic family, painted the shields, many emblems still have a similar form.
The first image of this kind dates from the 1127th(possibly 1128th) year. This is a shield with 6 golden lions on an azure field. It is assumed that it was received by Geoffroy the Fifth of Anjou as a gift for the wedding from King of England Henry the First.
Elements
Символы герба в старину могли рассказать о его the owner is very much and served as a kind of passport of its owner. They could be very different, while the basic elements usually remained unchanged. The following terminology is used to designate them:
- helmet - an element of the coat of arms, located above the shield;
- heraldic shield - the base on which the main symbols and figures are depicted;
- the mantle, i.e., a helmet covering torn into patches, usually having the upper side of the same color as the main enamel of the emblem;
- the crest is a figure above the helmet;
- Crown - an image located above the shield and indicating the feudal status of the owner;
- supporters - human, mythical (Capricorn, vulture, dragon, etc.) or bestial figures located on the sides of the coat of arms;
- mantle;
- motto.
Tamga
Coats of arms is a European invention.However, the generic identifying images were also used by the Alans and the Turkic peoples. They were in the form of symbols and were called tamga. Among the most famous emblems of this kind are the generic signs of Tamerlane and the Crimean Geraev. They are radically different from European ones, more concise and usually represent a combination of the simplest geometric shapes.
Russian coat of arms
This most important symbol of our statehoodIt is a 4-angle red heraldic shield. It depicts a golden double-headed eagle, which raised the spread wings up. He crowned with 2 small crowns. Above them is another one - a big one. In the right paw of the bird there is a scepter, and in the left the eagle holds the orb. On his chest in a red shield depicts a silver rider on the same horse. He is wearing a blue cloak, and he strikes with a spear of a black dragon, trampled by a horse.
It so happened that the flag, coat of arms, anthem of our country were created in different centuries. And this is very symbolic, because it means the continuity of different eras of Russian statehood.
Coats of arms of some republics of the Russian Federation
Russia is a federal state. It includes 21 republics. All of them have coats of arms.
- Одним из крупнейших субъектов РФ является Tatarstan. The coat of arms of the republic is round in shape, it depicts a winged leopard, which in ancient times was the patron saint of children and the fertility deity of the Volga Bulgars. The background is a red sun, symbolizing happiness and life. On the side of the leopard depicted aster, meaning longevity.
- Стоит рассказать и про герб Башкортостана.It also has a round shape. It depicts the equestrian monument to Salavat Yulaev against the rising sun, and below is the inflorescence of kurai, considered to be a symbol of the courage of the peoples.
- The coat of arms of Kalmykia depicts 4 bonded circles, whichsymbolizes the tribal union of the ancestors of the Kalmyks. It shows a red tassel. It is called the Ulan Hall, and in the 15th century, the ruler Togon-Taisha ordered all Kalmyks to wear it on a headdress. In addition, there is a white scarf on the coat of arms. It is an offering of believers in the temple as a sign of peaceful intentions, goodness, generosity, and abundance.
- The coat of arms of Dagestan is a heraldic round shieldwhite color forms. In its center is a golden eagle. Above the bird is the image of the sun, bordered by an ornament. At the base of the heraldic shield are drawn white and gold snowy mountain peaks, the sea and the plain. Still below is a handshake, and on both sides is a heraldic ribbon on which the “Republic of Dagestan” is written.
- The image of the coat of arms of Kabardino-Balkaria is shapedtraditional scarlet shield. It depicts a golden eagle with an azure eye. On the chest of the bird is a crossed shield. Above is an image of a silver mountain with two peaks in an azure field, and below is a golden trefoil on a green field.
- The coat of arms of the Altai Republic is a circlewhich is edged with a narrow golden stripe. The three-headed top of Belukha Mountain is depicted on a blue-blue background. Below (in the center of the circle) is a white griffin with a bird's head on the body of a lion. At the bottom of the coat of arms are the rivers Biya and Katun with tributaries. Between them there is a golden tripod.
Now you know the terminology by whichYou can describe the coat of arms. You also know what heraldry is and why knights painted their shields, and you will be able to amaze your acquaintances with your knowledge and support small talk.
