Great emblem of the Russian Empire. History of the emblem of the Russian Empire

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 in the late 19th century. But this fact does not apply to the state arms. This symbol has a more ancient origin. Thus, the emblem 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. The cloth with white-blue-red stripes is a symbol of the fleet of the great king. 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 cloth was finally approved.

In the 19th century. The coat of arms and the flag of the Russian Empire have added to themselves the third component - the anthem. In their unity they became a real symbol of the country.

What is the coat of arms?

State symbols and their meaning in the Middle Ages were given great importance. At the same time, people played a special role in those signs that were the personification of the sovereign, supreme power and the idea of their domination over their subjects. A distinctive sign in our country was the coat of arms.

This word came to us from the Poles. In translation from the language of this people, the word "coat of arms" means "inheritance". This symbol at all times was a distinctive sign, an emblem on which those objects that belonged to the owner were depicted. And, once created, such a coat of arms was inherited.

The Poles, in turn, borrowed this word from the Crusaders. In these warriors, shields with generic signs were inherited from father to son.

The symbol of modern Russia

On December 25, 2009, the Federal Law approved the Regulations 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 there is also a golden two-headed eagle, which raised its loose wings. The bird is crowned with two small crowns, over which is one big one. All of them are connected by a tape. In the right paw, the eagle grasps the scepter, and in the left - the power. On the bird's chest is painted a red shield, which depicts a galloping silver rider, clothed in a blue raincoat. Being on a silver horse, he battles with a silver spear of a black snake, which is knocked back on his back.

Each of the emblem symbols has a special meaning. Thus, the crowns personify the sovereignty not only of the Russian Federation, but of all subjects of the federation. The state and scepter in the eagle's paws are symbols of power and a single state.

However, this form was not always the coat of arms. In its history, the drawing has undergone many changes.

The emergence of the symbol of the state

The history of the emblem of the Russian Empire began in the 15th century. In 1472, Ivan III Vasilievich married Sophia Fominichna Palaeologus, the niece of Constantine XI Dragas. This last of the Byzantine emperors used the image of a two-headed eagle on the emblem of his dynasty. After the death of Constantine XI Dragas, the brother of Sophia, Andrey, was considered the heir to the throne. However, Ivan III bought out his rights to inheritance. After this, as a successor to the emperor of the Eastern part of the Roman Empire, he began to use the symbol of the two-headed eagle. And this image could not be better suited to the emblem of Russia. Since ancient times wings have been associated with flying. And the analogy existed not only in a direct, but also in a figurative sense. As a symbol of the state, they signified the desire for the highest and the flight of thought. They also meant the ability to balance the opposite principles.

Since ancient times, many peoples preferred to use the eagle as the emblem of power. This brave, beautiful and intelligent bird has always been associated with immortality and greatness, strength and fearlessness. But the double-headed image of the eagle points to double wisdom, vigilant wakefulness, perfection and prosperity. The original appearance of the bird on the coat of arms corresponded to the one depicted on the throne brought by Sophia Palaeologus. It was an eagle with crowns on two heads, with wings down and with beaks closed.

Proudly hover among the domes of Russian churches, these birds began precisely with the reign of John III. The first double-headed eagle appeared on the Spassky Tower of the Kremlin after the country was liberated from the Mongol-Tatar yoke. At this point it is located 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 Basil III - the son of Ivan III - Russia continued to unite its lands, gradually becoming the world center of Orthodoxy. In the first third of the 16th century. The eagle on her coat of arms opened her beaks and poked out the tongues. This symbolized the strength of a state capable of protecting itself from enemies.

From the middle of the 16th century, during the reign of Ivan IV, the emblem of the Russian Empire somewhat changed. The eagle is wide, as if for flight, swung its wings, and crowns appeared on its head. On the chest of the bird placed a rider ("rider"), hitting the spear of the serpent.

Throughout all subsequent centuries, the description of the emblem of the Russian Empire remained virtually unchanged. The main symbol of the country was later made only some additions, as well as its artistic form.

The coat of arms of Russia in the 17th century.

At the beginning of the seventeenth century, the country was ruled by Tsar Michael Romanov. With it, Rus gradually began to turn into a developed and prosperous state. It was during this period that the eagle decorating the emblem of the Russian Empire had one more, a third crown. These attributes have become a symbol of the Holy Trinity.

In 1667 Alexei Mikhailovich published the "Ulozhenie", and five years later the light saw "Titular", which was the first Russian herb. In these documents, such a concept as the "state emblem of the Russian Empire" was officially fixed. It was from this period in the country began to develop the science of heraldry.

The reign of Peter the Great

At the same time, the emblem and the flag of the Russian Empire were even more firmly established as symbols of a great power. It was on the orders of Peter I that a three-color banner appeared. In the beginning, merchant ships went under it, and after that the flag became a symbol of the Russian state.

Some changes were made by Peter the Great in the design of the coat of arms. There were elements decorating the Order of St. Andrew. This is one of the disciples of Jesus Christ - the Holy Apostle. According to legend, it was Andrew the First-Called engaged in propaganda of Christianity in those lands where the Eastern Slavs lived. It happened in the first century of our era.

The sign of the order in the form of an oblique cross on which was the image of the crucified Jesus, the sovereign ordered to place the eagle in the tail. The letters "SAPR" were placed on the ends of the cross. Their translation from Latin meant "Saint Andrew - the patron of Russia".
Another sign of the order is the chain that Peter I ordered to be placed around the shield with the image of the rider. This attribute became a symbol of the unification of the territory located around Moscow.

From the Order of St. Andrew, he borrowed the coat of arms and the blue ribbon, which today still connects all three crowns. Heraldic science represents this detail as a symbol that signifies loyalty to the traditions of previous generations, as well as the desire to preserve the best that grandfathers and fathers left behind (military glory, scientific and cultural achievements, national identity).

Under Peter the Great, the emblem of the Russian Empire received a new color design. So, the eagle was painted black, its legs, beak, tongue, eyes, and various attributes turned out to be gold, George the Victorious became depicted in silver, and the snake, like the eagle, acquired black color. This color design was preserved even during the time of the throne of the entire Romanov dynasty.

The reign of Paul I

This ruler was the first after Peter the Great who made significant changes to the state emblem of the Russian Empire. It was under Paul I that all the previous versions of this symbol were unified, which allowed them to be brought to the same form.

On the wings of the eagle the king ordered to put canvases of Masonic flags. On the chest of the bird appeared the Maltese cross, which distinguished the forked ends. On one of them (the upper one) the image of the crown of the Grand Master of the Order, which was Pavel I. himself, was painted. It was a secret community, striving to create a world organization for uniting all people in a brotherly union. Why was the Maltese cross on the coat of arms of Russia? The fact is that, according to Paul I, it is our country that should lead humanity to this union.

However, soon the ruler realized that it was too early to reveal hidden thoughts. The hour of the world union has not yet come. In this connection, in 1800 Paul I publishes the Manifesto, which says that it is necessary to create the Great State Emblem of the Russian Empire. However, soon the tsar was killed, and the implementation of this plan was moved back for half a century.

The reign of Alexander II

The large emblem of the Russian Empire was created precisely with this king. From previous versions it was distinguished by the presence of shield holders. They were the figures of two saints: the Archangel Michael, head of the Higher Powers, and the Archangel Gabriel, who is the herald of all life, including spiritual.

Above the shield were an image of the helmet of Alexander Nevsky - Grand Duke, who protected Russia from the Teutonic Order. In its central part, the Great Emblem of the Russian Empire was decorated with a mantle of fur ermine. This detail served as a symbol of monarchical power. Eagle on this version of the state emblem as if embracing the circle, which formed the arms of all fifty-two territories of Russia. On the top of the symbol was a canopy with the motto "With Us God." There was also a banner with an Orthodox cross above it. All these symbols signified the guidance and assistance of the Higher Powers.

In the center of the emblem was invariably depicted the coat of arms of Moscow with St. George. The rider symbolized the desire of the Russian people to unite around the capital.
The large state emblem was introduced by the decree of Alexander II on April 11, 1857, and no significant changes were made to it until the October revolution.

Alexander II adopted by his decree the Small State Emblem of the Russian Empire and the Middle. The second of them, unlike the Bolshoi, did not have in its image six arms shields above the canopy and banners. The small emblem of the Russian Empire did not have a canopy or arms, surrounded by a main shield. In other words, it was much simpler in its image. In connection with this, the Small Arms were used in wide practice.

The reign of Alexander III

In 1882 the Great Emblem 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 was part of the Russian state in 1867, was displayed. Some other changes were made. So, in one the shields of the arms of the Belorussian and Lithuanian principalities were united. As a frame began to use oak and laurel branches, symbolizing courage, valor, merit, honor and glory.

Overthrow of the royal power

The Provisional Government, which headed Russia in February 1917, left the two-headed eagle as the main symbol of the state. However, now the bird was depicted without crowns, powers, scepter, with wings down. The coat of arms and the rider 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 details on the Great Emblem. Thus, the two-headed eagle in the center was replaced by a hammer and a sickle, and the canopy was replaced by a globe in the rays of the sun. Instead of laurel and oak leaves, ears appeared, and the cross was changed to a star. Instead of the motto "With Us God" came the cry "Workers of all countries, unite!".

Only 30.11.1993, Russian President Yeltsin issued a decree on the return of the two-headed eagle to the coat of arms. And to this day 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 the belonging to the noble family. And this symbol was inherited. The first noble emblems of the Russian Empire appeared only in the late 17th century. These signs possessed a composition, explaining the merits, origin and status of the genus. In the late 17 century. Was compiled their first collection.

The arms of the noble families of the Russian empire began to strengthen their attention to themselves after the introduction of Tabel about ranks. This document established the possibility of seniority. However, only a hereditary nobleman could use it.

The clan arms were made according to all the rules of heraldry. They depicted a battle shield, a helmet, a mantle, a crown, and also colored ornaments that served as the backdrop. There were shield holders, mottos and some other artistic elements on these symbols. Representing the noble arms, used eight colors, among which - blue and red, purple and green, white and black. If the figure depicted a person, it was allowed to use a solid color.

Symbolism of cities

This heraldry appeared in Russia rather late. Its founder was Tsar Peter I. Before the emblems of the cities of the Russian Empire appeared, the symbols of the settlements were seals decorated with various emblems.

In 1962 Peter the Great issued a decree. In it, for the first time, a term such as the "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 protagon on its shoulder.
It should be said that the emblems of the cities of the Russian Empire mostly depicted birds, fish and animals. On some of them one could see sabers, bows and swords.

The emblems 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 certain settlement. Gradually these symbols began to enter the life of the Russian public more and more. That is why the government began to treat the city's arms as official distinctive signs of settlements. These symbols began to be affirmed at the state level. In 1722, Peter the Great founded the Herald Chamber of Commerce. It was a special institution whose task was to compose the arms. In the office the king collected the most experienced draftsmen. And already by 1785 the official registration received the arms of virtually all Russian cities.

Initially, the new symbolism was drawn, as before. In other words, the emblem was placed on a shield. Then the city coat of arms began to be performed in a slightly different composition. In its upper part the symbols of the governorship (province) were placed. This caused criticism of connoisseurs of heraldry. With this arrangement, the emblems of the provinces of the Russian Empire were considered to be the main ones, and everything should be the other way round. By the mid-19th century. These comments are taken into account. The arms of the provinces began to be placed in the free field of the shield to the right or to the left of the main figure.