Перелистывая страницы истории, каждый из нас не once met with the symbols of countries, estates, genera - coats of arms. The area of knowledge that is devoted to the study of semantic content embedded in the emblem is called heraldry.
What is heraldry? Definition of the concept. General information
Если взять более точное научное определение, то Heraldry is an auxiliary trend in history that deals with the study of coats of arms, their history and significance. The term is consonant with the word "heraldus", which in Russian means "herald." Heralds who described the coat of arms of their feudal lord were called heralds in Russia.
The coats of arms reflected the material and social status of their owner. That is why this value has received heraldry. The definition and occurrence of this trend has been investigated by many historians.
History of appearance
The tradition to create coats of arms appeared in Europe afterfirst crusade. At that time, in tournaments, the identification of knights in armor caused difficulties, and the participants of the campaigns did not distinguish each other. Therefore, the nobles began to put different images on shields and armor, which was the impetus for the creation of an orderly symbolism. Over time, the applied signs turned into an unspoken language, in which the applied symbol had its own meaning. Originally on the armor depicted animals and birds. On the arms of that time there was the symbolism of ancient military symbols, military weapons items - arrows, spears, swords. In some cases the property belonging to the knight was depicted on the shields.
Before the second Crusade the symbolism receivedoutlines, and coats of arms on knightly tournaments became commonplace. The development of the image of symbols on the shields made it possible to distinguish the knight by clan emblems. The latter, over time, began to clearly symbolize class estate. They were inherited, which was also a characteristic feature. If we turn to modernity, we can see that if noble families have family differences, they repeat the form of ancient shields of the forefathers of ancient families.
Subject of study
Heraldry considers coats of arms as specifica source of information. The data obtained during the study of the symbols depicted on the arms, contribute to the replenishment of knowledge about events, historical characters, and also open the way to the establishment of economic and cultural ties that existed at one time or another. Thanks to the research of heraldry, historians find out the identity of documents or monuments to a particular person, establish the authenticity of the find.
The emblem is an identifying legal symbol, compiled and approved by clear rules. It serves as a permanent difference for a person, clan, public organization, region, or state.
Many historians have wondered whatis heraldry. The definition of this concept statesmen are as follows: a fundamental sign of the existence of the idea of nationality. There is another alternative definition. Heraldry is the key to the prosperous development of the state and the consolidation of its independent position.
Scientific understanding
The process of decoding and describing the meaning of coats of armstook over the auxiliary discipline - heraldry. Science explores the history of the development of the branch of knowledge, the basics of compiling, transmitting and using coats of arms and other materials, their properties, depending on the place and time of creation.
Как научная дисциплина данная область знаний represented by several sections. Formal, or theoretical, heraldry is engaged in the study of the rules of construction of the emblem and the terminology that describes it. For the private field of science is characterized by the consideration of such materials as the family coat of arms, slogans. The applied area contributes to the study of the attribution and identification of various documents and objects of the material part of the figure depicted on the coat of arms.
We should not forget about such a direction aspractical heraldry, which has as its goal the creation of new emblems, their modification and alignment with existing rules, as well as consideration of issues of the history of origin.
Heraldry and its role in comprehending history
Heraldry is the most important section.historical and general humanitarian knowledge. She has overcome the long path of development from the applied branch to the independent science, which has its own methods of studying and analyzing historical sources.
The need to describe the coats of arms arose thenwhen the first attributes of differences appeared. In order to be able to accurately and correctly describe such a symbol, when there is no visual representation of it, a terminology has been developed that deals with the standards of stamps, ornaments and other components. She allowed to distinguish heraldry in an independent area of knowledge.
Experts identify two functions of this science,which make it possible to understand what heraldry is. The definition reads as follows: this is the compilation of coats of arms and their expertise. The methods of the latter consist in the sequential clarification of the nationality of the owner of the coat of arms, its merits, titles, the temporary period of creation and change of the coat of arms. The language of heraldry is called "Blason", which allows you to reproduce the picture according to the description.
The uniqueness and originality of the science of the arms
Heraldry can also be called a unique system of identification of state and personal belonging. Many historical works attach importance to such a section of science as heraldry. The value of this historical discipline is great, because thanks to the knowledge gained, the overall picture of a given time period is formed.
Heraldry is not just an opportunity to learnwho owned the coat of arms when it originated. Many would agree that it is not enough to consider it as a branch in scientific research. It is important to take into account the social content of the concept. What is heraldry? The definition and use of this direction make it possible to restore their genealogical roots, discover the origins of the family.
