History of coats of arms and heraldry. How did the double-headed eagle appear in the coat of arms of Russia

It was approved in 1993 by decree of the country's first president, Boris Yeltsin. However, the symbols that are depicted on the coat of arms of Russia have a much longer history, rooted in the period of the formation of the Moscow principality. The coat of arms of the Russian Federation depicts a double-headed eagle spreading its wings. What does it symbolize on the coat of arms of Russia?

Any state emblem is not only an image on banknotes, documents and police chevrons. First of all, the coat of arms is a national symbol designed to unite people living in a given territory.

What does the state emblem of the Russian Federation mean? When did he appear? Was the coat of arms of medieval Russia similar to the modern one? Why does the Russian eagle have two heads?

The history of the coat of arms of Russia is rich and interesting, but before talking about it, one should give a description of this national symbol.

Description of the coat of arms of the Russian Federation

The emblem of the Russian Federation is a red heraldic shield with the image of a golden double-headed eagle spreading its wings.

Each head of the eagle is topped with a crown, in addition, there is another crown above them, bigger size. The three crowns are connected by a golden ribbon. The double-headed eagle holds a scepter in its right paw, and an orb in its left paw. On the chest of the double-headed eagle there is another red shield depicting a rider slaying a dragon with a silver spear.

As it should be according to heraldic laws, each of the elements Russian coat of arms has its own meaning. The double-headed eagle is a symbol of the Byzantine Empire, its image on the Russian coat of arms emphasizes the continuity between the two countries, their cultures and religious beliefs. It should be noted that the double-headed eagle is used in the state emblems of Serbia and Albania - in countries whose state traditions were also strongly influenced by Byzantium.

Three crowns in the coat of arms signify the sovereignty of the Russian state. Initially, the crowns meant three kingdoms conquered by the Moscow princes: Siberian, Kazan and Astrakhan. The scepter and orb in the paws of an eagle are symbols of the supreme state power(prince, king, emperor).

The horseman slaying the dragon (serpent) is nothing but the image of St. George the Victorious, a symbol of the bright principle that conquers evil. He personifies the warrior-defender of the Motherland and has been very popular in Russia throughout its history. No wonder George the Victorious is considered the patron saint of Moscow and is depicted on its coat of arms.

The image of a rider is traditional for the Russian state. This symbol (the so-called rider) was in use even in Kievan Rus, it was present on princely seals and coins.

Initially, the rider was considered an image of the sovereign, but during the reign of Ivan the Terrible, the tsar on the coat of arms was replaced by St. George.

History of the coat of arms of Russia

The central element of the Russian coat of arms is a double-headed eagle; this symbol first appeared during the reign of Ivan III, at the end of the 15th century (1497). The double-headed eagle was depicted on one of the royal seals.

Prior to this, seals most often depicted a lion tormenting a snake. The lion was considered a symbol of the Vladimir principality and passed from Prince Vasily II to his son Ivan III. Around the same time, the horseman became a common state symbol (later he would turn into George the Victorious). For the first time, the double-headed eagle as a symbol of princely power was used on the seal, which was sealed with a letter of ownership. land plots. Also in the reign of Ivan III, the eagle appears on the walls of the Faceted Chamber of the Kremlin.

Why it was during this period that the Moscow tsars began to use the double-headed eagle is still a matter of controversy among historians. The canonical version is that Ivan III took this symbol for himself because he married the niece of the last Byzantine emperor Sophia Palaiologos. In fact, for the first time this theory was put forward by Karamzin. However, it raises serious doubts.

Sophia was born in Morea - the outskirts of the Byzantine Empire and was never close to Constantinople, the eagle first appeared in the Moscow principality a few decades after the marriage of Ivan and Sophia, and the prince himself never declared any claims to the throne of Byzantium.

The theory of Moscow as the “Third Rome” was born much later, after the death of Ivan III. There is another version of the origin of the double-headed eagle: having chosen such a symbol, the Moscow princes wanted to challenge the rights to it from the strongest empire of that time - the Habsburg Empire.

There is an opinion that the Moscow princes borrowed the eagle from the South Slavic peoples, who quite actively used this image. However, traces of such borrowing have not been found. And the appearance of the Russian "bird" is very different from its South Slavic counterparts.

In general, why a double-headed eagle appeared on the Russian coat of arms, historians still do not know exactly. It should be noted that around the same time, a single-headed eagle was depicted on the coins of the Novgorod Principality.

The double-headed eagle becomes the official state emblem under the grandson of Ivan III - Ivan the Terrible. Initially, the eagle is complemented by a unicorn, but soon it is replaced by a horseman slaying a dragon, a symbol usually associated with Moscow. Initially, the horseman was perceived as a sovereign (“great prince on horseback”), but already during the reign of Ivan the Terrible, they begin to call him George the Victorious. Finally, this interpretation will be fixed much later, in the reign of Peter the Great.

Already during the reign of Boris Godunov, the coat of arms of Russia for the first time receives three crowns located above the heads of an eagle. They meant the conquered Siberian, Kazan and Astrakhan kingdoms.

From about the middle of the 16th century, the Russian double-headed eagle is often drawn in the “armed” position: at the same time, the beak of the bird is open, the tongue is stuck out. Such a double-headed eagle seems aggressive, ready to attack. This change is the result of the influence of European heraldic traditions.

At the end of the 16th - beginning of the 17th century, in the upper part of the coat of arms, between the heads of the eagle, the so-called Calvary cross often appears. Such innovation coincides with the moment when Russia gained ecclesiastical independence. Another version of the emblem of that period is the image of an eagle with two crowns and an eight-pointed Christian cross between its heads.

By the way, all three False Dmitrys during the Time of Troubles actively used seals depicting the Russian coat of arms.

The end of the Time of Troubles and the accession of the new Romanov dynasty led to some changes in the state emblem. According to the then heraldic tradition, the eagle began to be depicted with spread wings.

In the middle of the XVII century, during the reign of Alexei Mikhailovich, the State Emblem of Russia for the first time receives a power and a scepter, the eagle holds them in its paws. These are traditional symbols of autocratic power. At the same time, the first official descriptions of the coat of arms appeared, they have survived to this day.

During the reign of Peter I, the crowns over the heads of the eagle acquire the well-known "imperial" look, in addition, the coat of arms of Russia changes its color scheme. The body of the eagle became black, and its eyes, beak, tongue and paws were golden. The dragon also began to be depicted in black, and George the Victorious - in silver. This design has become traditional for the entire period of the Romanov dynasty.

The coat of arms of Russia underwent relatively serious changes during the reign of Emperor Paul I. This was the beginning of the era Napoleonic Wars, in 1799 Britain captured Malta, whose patron was the Russian emperor. Such an act of the British infuriated the Russian emperor and pushed him to an alliance with Napoleon (which later cost him his life). It is for this reason that the coat of arms of Russia received another element - the Maltese cross. Its meaning was that Russian state claims this territory.

During the reign of Paul I, a draft of the Great Coat of Arms of Russia was prepared. It was made entirely in accordance with the heraldic traditions of its time. Around the state emblem with a double-headed eagle, the emblems of all 43 lands that were part of Russia were collected. The shield with coats of arms was held by two archangels: Michael and Gabriel.

However, soon Paul I was killed by conspirators and the large coat of arms of Russia remained in the projects.

Nicholas I adopted two main versions of the state emblem: full and simplified. Prior to this, the coat of arms of Russia could be depicted in different versions.

Under his son, Emperor Alexander II, a heraldic reform was carried out. Heraldmeister Baron Köhne was engaged in it. In 1856, a new small Russian coat of arms was approved. In 1857, the reform was finally completed: in addition to the small one, the medium and large coat of arms were also adopted. Russian Empire. They remained virtually unchanged until the events of the February Revolution.

After the February Revolution, the question arose of a new coat of arms of the Russian state. To solve it, a group of the best Russian heraldry experts was assembled. However, the question of the coat of arms was rather political, so they recommended that before the convocation of the Constituent Assembly (where they were supposed to adopt a new coat of arms) use the double-headed eagle, but without the imperial crowns and George the Victorious.

However, six months later, another revolution happened, and the Bolsheviks took up the development of a new coat of arms for Russia.

In 1918, the Constitution of the RSFSR was adopted, and along with it, a draft of a new coat of arms of the republic was approved. In 1920, the All-Russian Central Executive Committee adopted a version of the coat of arms, drawn by the artist Andreev. The coat of arms of the Russian Soviet Socialist Republic was finally adopted at the All-Russian Congress in 1925. The coat of arms of the RSFSR was used until 1992.

The current state emblem of Russia is sometimes criticized for the abundance of monarchical symbols, which are not very appropriate for a presidential republic. In 2000, a law was passed that establishes an accurate description of the coat of arms and regulates the procedure for its use.

If you have any questions - leave them in the comments below the article. We or our visitors will be happy to answer them.

How many people know why there is a double-headed eagle on the coat of arms? What does he mean? The image of a double-headed eagle is an ancient symbol denoting power. For the first time this figure arose at the time of the appearance of the first developed states - about five thousand years ago. However, throughout its history, this sign has succumbed to various interpretations. To date, it is depicted on many symbols of power (flags and emblems) of various countries.

Symbol meaning

What does the double-headed eagle symbolize? This is a deep image, denoting a combination of two principles. directed in opposite directions: to the West and to the East. However, in itself it is a whole being, embodying unity. The double-headed eagle is the image of the sun, meaning nobility and power.

In some cultures, the meaning of the double-headed eagle symbol is slightly different. He is considered a messenger, an assistant of God, an executor of his will. He personifies a formidable force capable of establishing justice. However, many experts agree that the double-headed eagle is a symbol whose meaning is pride and arrogance.

The wings of a bird are the personification of protection, and sharp claws reflect a readiness to fight for ideals and ideas. The bird, depicted with a white head, means the purity of thought of the authorities, its justice and wisdom. The eagle is a brave, strong guard who can see the approaching disaster from any direction.

The appearance of the symbol in history

You can trace the meaning of the symbol of the double-headed eagle for thousands of years in different parts of the world. One of the first traces of it were found on the lands in the valley of the Tigris and Euphrates, where one of the first states, Southern Mesopotamia, was located. During the excavations of the city of Lagash, where the Sumerians lived, an image of an eagle was found.

Also, precious talismans, which depict his figure, testify to the meaning and veneration of this symbol.

Hittite kingdom

One of the famous and widespread images of the symbol dates back to the 2nd millennium BC. In Western Asia (today the territory of Turkey), an image of a double-headed eagle carved on a rock was found. Archaeologists have come to the conclusion that this sign refers to the art of the ancient Hittites. In their mythology, an eagle with two heads is an attribute of the main god Tishub, who commanded a thunderstorm.

In the Hittite kingdom, a double-headed eagle looked in opposite directions, and in its paws it had prey - hares. Archaeologists interpreted this sign in this way: the eagle is a king who tirelessly monitors everything that surrounds him and defeats enemies, and rodents are voracious, cowardly pests.

Ancient Greece

In the mythology of the ancient Greeks, there was a sun god - Helios. He could travel across the sky in a chariot drawn by four horses. It was a common image that was placed on the walls. However, there was another thing: instead of horses, the chariot was harnessed by two double-headed eagles - black and white. This image has not yet been accurately interpreted, however, it is believed that a secret meaning is hidden in it. Here you can trace an interesting chain: the eagle is the king of birds, and the Sun is the “king” of the planets. It is this bird that flies above the others and approaches the divine luminary.

The double-headed eagle of the Persians, Arabs and Mongols

Later, the double-headed eagle (the meaning of the symbol we already know) appears in Persia. His image in the first centuries of our era was used by the Shahs of the Sassanid dynasty. They were replaced by the Arabs, whose rulers placed the presented image on the coins. This emblem also belonged to the oriental ornament. He was especially popular when decorating. They even decorated coasters for the Koran. In the Middle Ages, it was placed on the standards of the Seljuk Turks. In the Golden Horde, the eagle meant victory. To this day, coins with the image of this two-headed bird, minted during the reign of the khans Uzbek and Dzhanybek, have survived.

Two-headed bird of Hinduism

Large magic power In Hindu mythology, the two-headed bird Gandaberund is endowed. She is able to withstand destruction. A beautiful legend was invented about the appearance of this creature. According to him, the supreme god Vishnu slew the demon, turning into the image of a mixture of man and lion Narasimha. However, even after he won the victory and drank the blood of his enemy, anger continued to boil in him and he remained in a terrible image. Everyone was afraid of him, and therefore the demigods asked Shiva for help. God turned into an eight-legged creation of Sharabha, whose strength and power surpassed Narasimha. Then Vishnu reincarnated as Gandaberunda, and in these images the two deities entered into a fight. Since then, in Hinduism, a two-headed bird means colossal, destructive power.

The oldest surviving image of a bird is in India on a statue created in 1047. To show the great strength of this creature, he was depicted carrying elephants and lions in his claws and beaks. Today this emblem is present on the state of Karnataka.

First emblems in Europe

The spread of the symbol of the double-headed eagle in European lands began in the XI-XV centuries at the time crusades. As a coat of arms, the image of a double-headed eagle was chosen by the first knights, the Templars. Historians suggest that they borrowed this pattern during their travels in South Asia, on the territory of the Ottoman Empire. After the attempts of the knights to conquer the Holy Sepulcher in the Holy Land, the symbol of an eagle with two heads became widely known. Mostly in the Byzantine and Balkan lands, it was used as a pattern. They were decorated with fabric, vessels, walls. Some territorial princes took it as their personal seals. The version that the eagle could be a symbol of the imperial family in Byzantium is stubbornly rejected by historians.

Ancient Roman Empire

In 330, the autocratic emperor Constantine the Great, who transferred the capital of the Holy Roman Empire to Constantinople, thus making it the "Second Rome", replaces the one-headed eagle - the two-headed one, which personifies not only the power of the emperor (secular power), but also spiritual power ( the authority of the Church). The second head balances the political component of this image. It denotes Christian morality. She reminds statesmen to act not only to please themselves, but also to act, thinking and caring for their people.

Holy Roman Empire

The two-headed eagle was adopted as the state emblem of the Holy (German) Roman Empire in 1434 during the reign of Emperor Sigismund. The bird was depicted as black on a golden shield. Halos were placed over their heads. However, this symbol, unlike a similar symbol in the ancient Roman Empire, did not have Christian motives under it. The double-headed eagle on the coat of arms of the Holy Roman Empire was more of a tribute historical traditions ascending to the majestic Byzantium.

The appearance of the double-headed eagle in Russia

There are several versions of the appearance of the emblem of the double-headed eagle in Russia. Many historians argue that the appearance of this symbol is associated with the name of the successor of the fallen Byzantium, a highly educated princess, not without political overtones, which Pope Paul II took care of, becomes the wife of the Russian Tsar Ivan III. This inter-dynastic marriage allowed Moscow to acquire a new status - the "Third Rome", since the second - Constantinople - fell in 1453. Sophia not only brought with her the symbol of the white double-headed eagle, which was the coat of arms of her family - the Palaiologos dynasty. She and her entourage contributed to the cultural upsurge of Russia. On the state seal The eagle has been depicted since 1497. This is confirmed in the text by the work of the Russian writer N. M. Karamzin “History of the Russian State”.

However, there is another opinion about the appearance of the Russian double-headed eagle. Many experts are inclined to believe that Ivan III chose it as a state sign, pursuing the goal of equating himself with European monarchs. Claiming equal size, the Russian prince put himself on a par with the Habsburg family, who at that time ruled the Holy Roman Empire.

Double-headed eagle under Peter I

The well-known reformer who “cut a window to Europe”, Peter I during his reign devoted much time not only to external and domestic politics. The king also took care of the state symbols. Against the backdrop of ongoing wars, he decided to create a single symbol.

Since 1700, the coat of arms of the country has been transformed. Interesting changes related directly to the bird. Above her heads are now crowns. In her paws she has an orb and a scepter. Ten years later, in 1710, these adjustments were made to all seals. Later, on coins, as well as on any other objects depicting eagles, imperial crowns are placed above them. These symbols mean the complete independence and independence of Russia from other powers. No one can infringe on the state in its power rights. It is worth paying attention to the fact that the symbol took on this form ten years before Russia was called the Russian Empire, and Peter I its emperor.

In 1721, an important and last change under Peter was a change in color. The double-headed eagle turns black. The emperor decided to take this step, taking an example from the Holy Roman Empire. The beak, as well as the paws and attributes of the bird were depicted in gold. The background is made in the same shade. A red shield is placed on the eagle's chest, surrounded by the chain of the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called. On the shield, Saint George on horseback strikes the dragon with a spear. All these images symbolize the eternal problem of the struggle between Darkness and Light, Evil and Good.

Eagle after the collapse of the Russian Empire

After Nicholas II abdicated in 1917, the state sign loses its power and meaning. A problem arose before the new leaders and authorities - it was necessary to create a new heraldic symbol. This issue was dealt with by a group of specialists in heraldry. However, before the convocation of the Constituent Assembly, they did not see it necessary to create a radically new symbol. They considered it acceptable to use the same double-headed eagle, however, it should have been “deprived” of its former attributes and the image of St. George the Victorious should be removed. Thus, the seal of the provisional government was drawn by the specialist I. Ya. Bilibin.

In the struggle for the title of coat of arms with a double-headed eagle, the image of a swastika, meaning well-being and eternity, “beat”. Thanks to these qualities, perhaps the Provisional Government liked this symbol.

In 1918, when the constitution of the RSFSR was adopted, a new coat of arms was chosen, and the eagle was forgotten until 1993, when it becomes Now it is depicted in gold, it contains almost the same attributes that existed during the Russian Empire - there is no St. Andrew's Order on it. It is permissible to use this symbol without a shield.

Standard of the President of Russia

President Boris N. Yeltsin in 1994 issued a decree "On the standard (flag) of the President of the Russian Federation." The flag of the president was a three-color canvas (three identical horizontal stripes white, blue, red) and in the center depicted on it a golden coat of arms. The standard is framed with gold fringe.

Russia is unique, among other things, in that over the centuries it has managed to unite in one state the most diverse peoples - each with its own culture, faith and language. Thanks to this, many peoples were not only able to survive as a separate ethnic group, but also were able to further develop their original culture.

A book about the friendship of peoples in a single state should definitely appear in the very near future. All current political situation desperately demands it. However, in this moment there is no such book, or it is so deeply hidden that it cannot be found.

In search of such a book, this publication was born. I tried to make a very rough sketch of the history of the unification of peoples in one Russian state. For starters, I just wanted to mark on the time scale when this or that nation joined, and also to find out, at least superficially, the reasons for such joining, and finally, - to calculate the time living together in one state.

The structure of the publication was suggested to me by the Great Emblem of the Russian Empire. I recently stumbled upon it by chance and suddenly discovered that in it, in the form of a kind of map, the very story that I am looking for is encrypted!

Great coat of arms of the Russian Empire

Briefly - about the history of the coat of arms. In Russia, there never existed the concept of a knightly hereditary coat of arms, widely accepted in Western Europe. During the battles, battle banners were carried over the army with embroidered or painted images of the Orthodox cross or saints. The history of the coat of arms of Russia is, first of all, the history of the Grand Duke's press.

Ivan III the Great (1440-1505) eliminated the dependence of Russia on the Golden Horde and united around Moscow many of the original Russian territories, fragmented since the 12th century. To increase his authority in the eyes of foreign states, Ivan III married Princess Sophia Paleolog, the niece of the last emperor of Byzantium, and adopted the family coat of arms of the Byzantine kings - a double-headed eagle. Since then, the double-headed eagle has been the state emblem on the seals of Russian rulers.

A little later, the image of the Moscow coat of arms was added to the emblem: a horseman slaying a dragon with a spear. This rider was first placed on the reverse side of the seal, and then migrated to the chest of the eagle. Then, first, the coats of arms of the kingdoms of Astrakhan, Kazan and Siberia, conquered by Ivan IV the Terrible (1530 - 1584), were attached to the Moscow coat of arms, and then the coats of arms of all the main regions and lands that became part of the empire in the subsequent time. Thus, the state emblem became the emblem of its entire territory.

Manifesto of Paul I

The idea of ​​the Great State Emblem, as we know it today, was originally proposed by Paul I (1754-1801), the son of Catherine II. In 1800, he published a manifesto on the "Complete State Emblem of the All-Russian Empire" with a detailed description of all parts of the coat of arms. In particular, this is what he writes:

One of the sheets of the manifesto of Paul I on the full coat of arms of the Russian Empire: a sheet with a list of coats of arms of the lands that are part of Russia.

“The current Russian Imperial Coat of Arms was assigned to our Empire in the fifth for ten centuries from now to our days by the providence of God the fate of the Kingdoms that determines, at different times different Powers and lands were attached to the Throne of Russia, whose names are included in our Imperial Title; but the coat of arms of Russia and the State seal have hitherto remained in their former form, disproportionate to the space of our possessions. Now we deign to include in the composition of the Russian Coat of Arms, in accordance with our full Title, all the Coats of Arms and signs of the Kingdoms and lands we possess, and therefore, affirming them in the form attached to this, we command the Senate to make their order appropriate in discussing the use of them.

sovereign title

Full title Alexander II. As you can see, for different lands he can be king, sovereign, grand duke, prince, heir, duke.

Here it is important to pay attention to such a concept as the “imperial title”, which Paul I speaks about several times. The title in general is an honorary hereditary title in class societies (baron, count, prince). Sovereign's title  -  this is the most important title, the honorary title of the ruler of the Russian state. This title from the time of Ivan III was supposed to include a listing of all subject lands. This principle of title was preserved by the descendants and was filled with new content in the process of gain or loss of land. Over time, the title more and more turned into a modified, mobile formulation, with the help of which both large-scale and current political tasks were solved. The history of the sovereign's title is the history of the expansion of the territory of the state. When adding a new territory, the sovereign added to his title the title of the former ruler of this territory.

Heraldic reform

Unfortunately, Paul I was killed (not without the participation, by the way, British intelligence), and he did not have time to bring his manifesto to life. His idea begins to embody his son, Nicholas I (1796-1855). He starts a heraldic reform, inviting Baron B. Kene for this. Again, due to death, Nicholas I did not have time to complete the reform, and his son Alexander II (1818-1881) finished the job. In 1857, the Great State Emblem was “highly affirmed”.

This coat of arms in its original form existed until 1917. Only in 1882, Alexander III (1845-1894) made a slight amendment to the coat of arms: in addition to purely stylistic and compositional changes, a shield was added with the coat of arms of Turkestan, which became part of Russia in 1867.

What is shown on the coat of arms

Drive detailed description we will not leave the entire emblem, so as not to deviate from our main topic, we will only say that the main shield with the emblem of Moscow is surrounded by shields with the emblems of kingdoms, principalities and regions, in different time attached to Russia.

The main shield is surrounded by nine shields from below. Coats of arms of kingdoms: I. Kazansky, II. Astrakhan, III. Polish, IV. Siberian v. Chersonese Tauride, VI. Georgian. VII. United coats of arms of the great principalities: Kiev, Vladimirsky and Novgorod. VIII. Coat of arms of the Grand Duchy Finnish. IX. The family coat of arms of His Imperial Majesty.

There are six shields above the main shield. X. Shield of the united coats of arms of the principalities and regions of the Great Russian. XI. Shield of the united coats of arms, principalities and areas of the southwestern. XII. Shield of the united coats of arms of principalities and regions of Belarusian and Lithuanian. XIII. Shield of United Coats of Arms regions of the Baltic. XIV. Shield of United Coats of Arms northeastern regions. XV. Coat of arms Turkestan.

It turns out that the state emblem - is a kind of map, reflecting how political structure Russia and its geography. Let's try to figure out what historical event is associated with each of the armorial shields, we will supplement the "map" given to us with historical content. In brackets, next to the name of the shield, we will indicate the number corresponding to the number of this shield in the diagram above.

United coats of arms of the Grand Duchies (VII)

Coat of arms Kyiv ( Saint Michael)
Vladimirsky ( lion leopard),
Novgorod ( two bears and fish).

These are the three most "root" old Russian grand principalities. The Kyiv coat of arms symbolizes the ancestral home of the Russian state Kievan Rus (formed in the middle of the 9th century). Also, Kyiv denotes the south-western Russia formed a little later, the Vladimir coat of arms - north-eastern Russia, and Novogorodsky - north-western (Novgorod Republic). All three Russ were formed in the XII century as a result of the fragmentation of Kievan Rus and the Tatar-Mongol invasion.

The titles of all the rulers of Russia, starting with Ivan III, always began with a listing of these three lands: “Emperor and Autocrat of All Russia, Moscow, Kyiv, Vladimir, Novgorod ...” - this is how the title of the last Russian emperor Nicholas II began. Then followed all the other kingdoms, principalities and regions.

The history of Russia as a whole, starting with Kievan Rus, has more than 1000 years. Conventionally, all three Russ formed in the 12th century in connection with the collapse of Kievan Rus (before that, they had been together for 300 years). Under influence Tatar invasion in the XIII century until the middle of the XV century they were separated (200 years), but since then they have been together again (more than 500 years). It will be interesting further to compare with these time intervals the time of the joint life of other peoples, gradually joining Russia.

Coats of arms of Great Russian principalities and regions (X)

Coat of arms Pskov ( golden leopard in the center) , coat of arms Smolensky ( a gun) , coat of arms Tverskoy ( golden throne) , coat of arms Yugorsky ( hands with spears) , coat of arms Nizhny Novgorod ( deer), coat of arms Ryazan ( standing prince) , coat of arms Rostov ( silver deer) , coat of arms Yaroslavsky ( bear) , coat of arms Belozersky ( silver fish) , coat of arms Udorsky ( fox).

As a result of the ensuing war with the Commonwealth, Russia returned the lands lost as a result of the Time of Troubles. And Alexei Mikhailovich (1629-1676) supplemented the title with a new wording: “Sovereign, Tsar and Grand Duke Autocrat of All Great and Small and White Russia.

The territory of present-day central Ukraine is part of Russia/USSR with mid-seventeenth century to the end of the XX (together for more than 300 years).

In 1654, the scepter and orb first appeared on the royal seal in the paws of an eagle. Forged double-headed eagle mounted on the spire of the Spasskaya Tower of the Moscow Kremlin. In 1667, Alexei Mikhailovich, in the first ever decree on the coat of arms (“On the royal title and on the state seal”), gave an official explanation of the symbolism of the three crowns over the heads of an eagle:

“The double-headed eagle is the coat of arms of the sovereign Grand Sovereign, Tsar and Grand Duke Alexei Mikhailovich of All Great and Small and White Russia, the autocrat, His Tsarist Majesty of the Russian reign, on which three crowns are depicted signifying the three great Kazan, Astrakhan, Siberian glorious kingdoms. On the Persians (chest) the image of the heir; in pasnoktyah (claws) a scepter and an apple, and reveals the most merciful Sovereign, His Royal Majesty the Autocrat and Possessor.

More than 100 years later, in 1793, under Catherine II, as a result of the second partition of the Commonwealth, Podolsk and Volyn, along with the entire right-bank Ukraine, were ceded to Russia.

The territory of the current western, right-bank, Ukraine as part of Russia / CCCP since the end of the 18th century (together 200 years).

A significant part of modern Ukraine in the middle of the 14th century was included in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and from the middle of the 16th century - in the Commonwealth (that is, central Ukraine before reunification with Russia was Lithuanian for 200 years and Polish for another 100 years, and the western one - was Lithuanian for 200 years and Polish for another 200 years).

For the first time, Ukraine acquires a formally independent statehood, becoming a Soviet republic within the USSR. At the same time, the territory of modern Ukraine was formed. And the first sovereign state Ukraine forms in 1991 as a result of the collapse of the USSR. Those. This state is just over 20 years old.

Coats of arms of the Baltic regions (XIII)

Coat of arms Estonian ( three leopard lions) Livonian ( silver vulture with sword) , emblems - Courland ( lion) and Semigalsky ( deer) , coat of arms Karelian ( hands with swords).

Peter I (1672-1725) cut a window to Europe. In 1721, according to the Treaty of Nystadt, Estonia (today's server Estonia), Livonia (today's northern Latvia and southern Estonia) and Karelia passed from Sweden to Russia. Accordingly, at that time the title of sovereigns included: "Prince of Livonia, Estland and Karelia." And the phrase of the big title "Great Sovereign, Tsar of All Great and Small and White Russia, Autocrat" changes to "We, Peter the Great, Emperor and Autocrat of All Russia."

Instead of royal crowns, imperial crowns appear on the coat of arms near the eagle, and the order chain of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called, the patron saint of Russia and the heavenly patron of the tsar himself, appears on his chest. On the wings of an eagle for the first time appear shields with the coats of arms of the Great Kingdoms and Principalities. On the right wing there are shields with coats of arms: Kiev, Novgorod, Astrakhan; on the left wing: Vladimir, Kazan, Siberian.

« Poltava battle". Louis Caravaque. 1717–1719

In 1795, under Catherine II, as a result, Courland and Semigallia (present-day western Latvia) were ceded to Russia. Catherine II adds "princess of Courland and Semigalle" to the title.

So. From the 13th to the 16th centuries (300 years), the peoples of present-day Estonia and Latvia were under the control of the Germans as part of Livonian Order. According to the resultsLivonian War from the end of the 16th century to the beginning of the 18th century (more than 100 more years), the territory of Estonia was part of Sweden, and the territory of Latvia was divided between Sweden and the Commonwealth.

From the beginning of the 18th to the beginning of the 20th centuries, Estonia and Latvia were part of the Russian Empire (200 years), and from the middle to the end of the 20th century they were part of the USSR (another 50 years).

For the first time in their centuries-old history, Estonia and Latvia became independent states in 1918 as a result of the collapse of the Russian Empire. And in 1940 entered to the USSR in connection with the threat of an attack by Nazi Germany. Estonia and Latvia regained their independence in 1991 due to the collapse of the USSR. Thus, the total history of sovereignty among these peoples is about 50 years old.

Coats of arms of Belarusian and Lithuanian principalities and regions (XII)

Coat of arms of the Grand Duchy Lithuanian ( silver rider - in the center) , coat of arms Bialystok ( eagle rider) , coat of arms Samogitsky ( bear) , coat of arms Polotsk ( rider on a white background) , coat of arms Vitebsk ( rider on a red background) , coat of arms Mstislavsky ( wolf).

In 1772, under Catherine II, as a result of the first partition of the Commonwealth, Belarusian lands, including Polotsk, Vitebsk and Mstislavl, were ceded to Russia. In 1795, as a result of the third partition of the Commonwealth, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania ceded to Russia. In 1807, under Alexander I, according to the Treaty of Tilsit, Bialystok (Belarus) and Samogitia (Lithuania) were ceded to Russia.

It turns out that today's Belarus and Lithuania lived together with Russia/USSR for 200 years. Prior to that, Belarus was part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. And the Grand Duchy of Lithuania itself was formed in the XIII century. 300 years later, in the middle of the 16th century, it formed the Commonwealth state with Poland and stayed with it until joining Russia for almost 250 years. The history of Lithuanian independence spans over 500 years.

Belarus for the first time gained formal independence within the USSR. And it gained full independence for the first time in 1991 as a result of the collapse of the USSR. This state is just over 20 years old, like Ukraine.

"Storm of Prague" (1797). Alexander Orlovsky. The assault was commanded by General-in-Chief Suvorov and received the highest military rank of field marshal for this victory. The storming of Prague ended the suppression of the Polish uprising of 1794.

Coat of arms of Chersonese Tauride (V)

Coat of arms of Chersonese Tauride

As a result of the Russian-Turkish war of 1768-1774, according to the Kyuchuk-Kainarji peace treaty, under Catherine II, Novorossia and North Caucasus, and the Crimean Khanate came under its protectorate.

And already in 1783, Catherine II (1729-1796) issued a manifesto, according to which the Crimea, Taman and Kuban became Russian possessions. Thus, the Crimea finally became part of the Russian Empire. And Catherine II added to the sovereign title: "Queen of Tauric Chersonesus."

Crimea, North Caucasus and Novorossiya as part of Russia for 200 years.

The modern history of Crimea begins in the middle of the 15th century with the formation on its territory from a fragment of the Golden HordeCrimean Khanate , which quickly became a vassal of the Ottoman Empire (it turns out that Crimea was part of the Khanate for 300 years).

Coat of arms of the Grand Duchy of Finland (VIII)

Coat of arms of the Grand Duchy of Finland

As a result of the war with Sweden, under the Friedrichsham Peace Treaty in 1809, the lands of Finland passed from Sweden to Russia on the rights of a union. Alexander I (1777-1825) adds the title "Grand Duke of Finland" to the sovereign.

The territory of present-day Finland most its history, from the XII to the beginning of the XIX century (600 years), was part of Sweden. After that, it became part of Russia as the Grand Duchy of Finland, having existed in this form until the collapse of the Russian Empire at the beginning of the 20th century (they were together for 100 years). For the first time, Finland gained an independent statehood in 1917. Those. This state is less than 100 years old.

"Transition of Russian troops through the Gulf of Bothnia in March 1809"
Woodcut by L. Veselovsky, K. Kryzhanovsky after the original by A. Kotzebue, 1870s.

Coat of arms of the Kingdom of Poland (III)

Coat of arms of the Kingdom of Poland

After the final defeat of Napoleon, according to the results of the Vienna Congress in 1815 former lands Poland, which at that moment was under the protectorate of France, went to Russia and formed a union with it as Polish kingdom. Alexander I adds to the sovereign title: "Tsar of Poland". After the coronation of Nicholas I to the Kingdom of Poland in 1829, since 1832, the coat of arms of this kingdom first appears on the wings of an eagle.

Poland was formed as an independent state parallel to Kievan Rus, in the 9th century. In the middle of the 16th century, Poland united with the Grand Duchy of Lithuania to form the Commonwealth, which existed until the end of the 18th century. Then the state completely disappeared, being divided among neighboring states, including Russia. And from the beginning of the 19th century, Poland was revived as the Kingdom of Poland as part of Russia and existed in this form until the beginning of the 20th century and the collapse of the Russian Empire (100 years together). Before joining Russia, Poland had 900 years of independent history.

Trying to protect the country from the raids of Turkey and Iran, the Georgian kings repeatedly asked Russia for patronage. In 1783, under Catherine II, the Treaty of Georgievsky was concluded. Its essence was reduced to the establishment of a protectorate by Russia. In 1800, the Georgian side asked for closer cooperation. And Paul I (1754-1801) issued a manifesto according to which Georgia joined Russia as an independent kingdom. But already in 1801, Alexander I issued a new manifesto, according to which Georgia was directly subordinated to Russian emperor. Accordingly, Paul I adds to the title: "Sovereign of the Iversky, Kartalinsky, Georgian and Kabardian lands." And Alexander I adds to the title already: "King of Georgia."

The formation of Georgia as a state dates back to the 10th century. From the 13th to the 14th centuries, the state was first invaded by the Mongols, and then by Tamerlane. From XV to XVII Georgia is torn apart by Iran and the Ottoman Empire, turning into an isolated Christian country, surrounded on all sides by the Muslim world. From the end of the 18th century to the end of the 20th century, Georgia was part of Russia/USSR (200 years together). Before that, it turns out that Georgia has an 800-year history of a separate state.

The conquest of Transcaucasia by Russia was completed in the first years of the reign of Nicholas I. As a result of the Russian-Persian war of 1826-1828, the Erivan and Nakhichevan khanates were annexed to Russia, which united into the Armenian region, where about 30 thousand Armenians moved from Persia. As a result of the Russo-Turkish war of 1828-1829, Russian authority over the Transcaucasus was recognized and Ottoman Empire, and about 25 thousand Armenians moved from its territory to Russia. As a result of the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878, Russia annexed the Kars region, inhabited by Armenians and Georgians, and occupied the strategically important Batum region. Alexander II (1855-1881) adds to the title: "Sovereign of the Armenian region." The annexation of Turkestan was preceded by the annexation of the Kazakh Khanate (present-day Kazakhstan). The Kazakh Khanate was formed from a fragment of the Golden Horde in the 15th century, and in the 19th century it consisted of three parts: the Younger (west), Middle (center) and Senior (east) zhuzes. In 1731, under the protectorate of Russia - for protection from the Khiva and Bukhara khanates - the Younger zhuz was asked and accepted. In 1740, the Middle Zhuz was adopted under the protectorate to protect against the Kokand Khanate. In 1818 - a part of the Great Zhuz. And in 1822 the power of the Kazakh khans was abolished. Thus, Kazakhstan has been together with Russia for more than 250 years.

"Parliamenters". Artist Vasily Vereshchagin

In 1839, Russia begins the fight against the Kokand Khanate. One of the most important reasons was opposition to the aggressive policy of the British Empire in Central Asia. This confrontation was called "The Great Game". In the 50s and 60s many Kokand cities were taken, and in 1865 Tashkent was taken and the Turkestan region was formed. In 1867, Emperor Alexander III (1845-1894) approved a project on the formation of a new governor-general - Turkestan Territory. It marked the end initial stage annexation of the Central Asian territories. Alexander III begins to be titled "Sovereign of Turkestan".

Formulated like this:

"By God's hastening mercy We ( name) , Emperor and Autocrat All-Russian, Moscow, Kyiv, Vladimir, Novgorod;Tsar Kazansky,Tsar Astrakhan,Tsar Polish,Tsar Siberian,Tsar Chersonis Tauride,Tsar Georgian;Sovereign Pskov andGrand Duke Smolensk, Lithuanian, Volyn, Podolsky and Finnish;Prince Estonian, Livonian, Courland and Semigalsky, Samogitsky, Bialystok, Korelsky, Tver, Yugorsky, Perm, Vyatsky, Bulgarian and others;Sovereign and Grand Duke Novgorod Nizovsky lands, Chernigov, Ryazan, Polotsk, Rostov, Yaroslavl, Belozersky, Udorsky, Obdorsky, Kondia, Vitebsk, Mstislav and all northern countrieslord and sovereign Iver, Kartalinsky and Kabardian lands and regions of Armenia; Cherkasy and Mountain princes and othershereditary Sovereign and Possessor ; Sovereign Turkestan,Heir Norwegian,duke Schleswig-Holstein, Stornmarn, Dietmar and Oldenburg and others, and others, and others.

Today, the state needs symbols in the same way as several centuries ago, if not more. The thing is that a common banner is really capable of uniting people. That is why the coat of arms was invented. This is a beautiful and mysterious symbol of an entire era.

Coat of arms of the Fatherland beautiful

So, what does it represent in the modern Russian Federation? What is remarkable? The law says that it is a quadrangular, with rounded lower corners, red heraldic shield, pointed at the tip, with the image of a golden double-headed eagle, raising its spread wings up. This bird is crowned with two small crowns. Moreover, above these crowns there is another large crown connected by a ribbon. It is noteworthy that in the right paw of the eagle there is a scepter, and in the left there is an orb. On the chest of the bird, framed by a red shield, is a silver rider dressed in a blue cloak. The knight is depicted on a silver horse, a man strikes a black serpent trampled down by a horse, overturned on its back, with a silver spear. In order to fully understand the essence of the symbol, it is necessary to understand why the coat of arms of Russia is a double-headed eagle? Honor and conscience, a beautiful bird and a proud rider, crowns and swords... All this is the state emblem of the Russian Federation!

How to portray?

It should be noted that the modern reproduction of the State Emblem of the Russian Federation is quite acceptable without the so-called heraldic shield. That is, in fact, the main figure remains: a double-headed eagle, which has the attributes that were listed earlier. In addition, a one-color version of the symbol is allowed.

What does it mean?

It is interesting that the golden double-headed eagle, located on the red material, usually symbolizes the historical continuity directly in color scheme symbols of the late fifteenth-seventeenth centuries. The drawing of this bird, which the coat of arms of the Russian Federation possesses, goes back to the images that are located on the monuments of the era of Peter the Great.

As for the eagle above their heads, these are the three historical crowns of Peter the Great himself. That is, they symbolize the sovereignty of our Fatherland - the Russian Federation - and the sovereignty of its parts, and hence the subjects of the Federation.

What is the role Their significance is simply enormous! The scepter and orb, which are in the paws of an eagle, are a symbol of state power, as well as a single fatherland.

The Importance of Interpretation

It should be noted that the image of a rider who strikes a fire-breathing dragon with a spear on the chest of a militant bird is one of the most ancient symbols of the incessant struggle between light and darkness, good and evil, and the defense of the Motherland. This is notable for the coat of arms of the Russian Federation.

There is a special legal act that regulates the image of the coat of arms as the main symbol of our Fatherland. But where did it all start? Why is he the way he is?

Old Russian seals

It is noteworthy that the very concept of the so-called knightly hereditary coat of arms, which was widely accepted in Western Europe, did not exist in Russia. In particular, during the struggle and fierce battles, embroidered or painted images of the Virgin Mary, Christ, certain saints, or simply an Orthodox cross most often served as banners. Images found on some ancient Russian military shields were also not considered hereditary. That is why the history of the coat of arms of the Russian Federation is, first of all, the history of the so-called grand ducal seal, which has been known for a long time.

Symbolism from antiquity

It should be said that on their own seals, the Old Russian princes usually depicted, first of all, patron saints (in particular, on the seal belonging to Simeon the Proud, St. Dimitri). In addition, as a rule, there was an inscription on the symbols that indicated who directly owned this seal. The wording was also interesting. For example, "the seal belongs to such and such a prince." It was considered a badge of honour.

More modern options

Roughly starting from Mstislav, known in wide circles as Udatny, as well as the grandchildren and other descendants of Vsevolod, nicknamed the “Big Nest”, the so-called “rider”, that is, a symbolic image of the prince ruling at the current time, began to appear on seals. Interestingly, the rider's weapons could well be different. In particular, a bow, a spear, a sword were most often depicted. But on the coins of the times of Ivan the Second the Red, a foot warrior began to appear for the first time, who strikes a snake with a sword (in other interpretations - a dragon). This is almost the coat of arms of the Russian Federation.

New elements

It is noteworthy that the image of the rider, for which the coat of arms of the Russian Federation is famous, was usually inherent in numerous seals that belonged not only to the princes of Vladimir and Moscow, but also to other lords. For example, during the reign of Ivan the Third, the image of a horseman who strikes a snake or dragon was not on the symbolism of the Grand Duke of Moscow (a man with a sword was present there), but his brother-in-law, who was called the Grand Duke of Tverskoy Mikhail Borisovich. And the modern state emblem of the Russian Federation is not much different from that symbolism. And it's wonderful!

It is interesting that since this prince of Moscow began to single-handedly rule Russia, a rider on a horse who strikes a dragon with a spear, that is, a symbolic image of the actual victory of good over evil, has become one of the most important symbols of the entire Russian state, along with no less famous and popular double-headed eagle. This was the defining moment in the formation modern perception national symbols.

Russian state and coat of arms

So, the symbolism of our Fatherland cannot be imagined without the presence in it of the image of a double-headed eagle. For the first time unusual bird in the role of the state symbol of the entire Russian state, it is found directly on the reverse side of the official seal of Ivan the Third Vasilyevich in the year 1497, although these images were found earlier in ancient Russian art, as well as on Tver coins. However, it was the first time she was remembered that way.

Fighter and his bird

It should be noted that the placement of the rider directly on the chest of the eagle may well be explained by the fact that there were usually two state seals, which were different in size, namely the Large and Small. These are the first elements that the coat of arms of Russia is famous for. In the second case, it was two-sided, usually attached to an important document, on each side an eagle and a rider were placed separately. But the big seal was one-sided. She in without fail was applied to the sheets, so subsequently it became necessary to combine the two symbols of the state into one. As practice has shown, it was an excellent decision.

For the first time, this combination is found directly on the big seal of Ivan the Terrible in 1562. This is already a kind of coat of arms of Russia. At the same time, instead of the rider, as a rule, a unicorn began to appear. And although the tsar himself did not consider this animal to be such a necessary symbol of the state, nevertheless, this animal was found on some seals of the most famous Boris Godunov, False Dmitry, and also Alexei Mikhailovich.

It is noteworthy that on the Great Seal of Ivan the Terrible in the seventy-seventh year of the sixteenth century, instead of two crowns, one began to appear, which was characterized by a cross over an eagle. It was very unusual. The two crowns returned during the reign the legendary Fedor Ivanovich, but now an Orthodox cross was placed above the two heads of the eagle (probably as an independent symbol of an independent and strong Russian Orthodox Church).

Crown of Creation

It should be noted that on the small seal of False Dmitry in the year 1604, the eagle was depicted for the first time under three crowns, while the rider on the chest of the bird was turned, as a rule, to the right side, according to well-established Western European heraldic traditions. It is noteworthy that after the period of False Dmitry, the image of the knight returned to its original state. Now, two crowns were placed above the heads of the eagle for a long period of time. Interestingly, the date of the official establishment of all three crowns on the coat of arms can be considered one thousand six hundred and twenty-fifth year. At that time, a third crown appeared on the so-called small state seal under Mikhail Fedorovich between the heads of the bird (this symbolism differed from the seal of False Dmitry, which was quite possibly made in Poland). It was logical. Under the real Russian tsar, all the symbolism was originally Russian. The same symbols “flaunted” on the so-called Great State Seal of the famous ruler Alexei Mikhailovich, as well as his son Mikhail Fedorovich, in 1645. And here it is - the coat of arms of Russia, the significance of which in history can hardly be overestimated. Beautiful, unusual and proud ...

Emblem of the Russian Empire

But the symbols of our Fatherland were not always so uniform. So, in particular, the Great Coat of Arms usually depicted a black double-headed eagle in a golden shield, which was crowned with two imperial crowns. It is interesting that the same decoration was present above the indicated crowns, however, in big view. It was a crown, marked by the two ends of the flowing ribbon of the St. Andrew's Order. Such a state eagle in its powerful claws holds a golden scepter, as well as an orb. As for the chest of the bird, the coat of arms of Moscow is depicted here, that is, in the scarlet shield with gold edges are the Holy Great Martyr, as well as the Victorious George. It should be noted that he is depicted in silver armor and an azure mantle, on a silver horse covered with purple cloth trimmed with gold fringe. A brave horseman strikes a golden dragon with green wings with a spear with an eight-pointed cross in its upper part.

Usually the shield crowned namely the most famous Holy Grand Duke. Around the indicated symbols there was a chain of the Order of the Most Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called. It is noteworthy that on the sides were images of saints.

It must be said that the main shield from below was surrounded by eight similar symbols of principalities and "kingdoms". In addition, "His Imperial Majesty's family coat of arms" was present here. Interestingly, six other symbols of principalities and regions were also placed above the canopy of the main shield itself.

By the way, the small coat of arms was usually a black double-headed eagle, directly on the wings of which, as a rule, eight shields of principalities, as well as "kingdoms" were depicted. Interestingly, the description of the coat of arms of Russia is very similar to the description of these ancient symbols that have been known in Russia for a long time. Everything, as you know, is formed historically, goes from time immemorial. Therefore, it is not surprising that such a symbol has been formed for centuries.

How about now?

Today, everywhere, in all schools, the coat of arms of Russia is studied, its significance in history and culture. And it is right. Children should understand from an early age where what comes from and what it means. So, the modern coat of arms of the Russian Federation is a unique symbol that allows any foreigner to understand how strong our state is, how unshakable the people are. It is not enough to understand the decoding of concepts, you need to remember the meaning. Today you can see the coat of arms of the Russian Federation everywhere, its photos are posted on the Internet and constantly “flash” on TV. Therefore, studying it is not only easy, but also simply necessary. Knowing your history, feeling your unity, experiencing healthy patriotism and understanding the meaning of symbols is very important.

Coats of arms in Russia appeared a long time ago, but these were only drawings that did not obey heraldic rules. Due to the lack of chivalry in Russia, coats of arms were not very common. At its very beginning (until the 16th century), Russia was a disparate state, and therefore there is talk of state emblem Russia could not go. However, despite the fact that the 16th century is considered the final date for the unification of Russia, the state emblem in Russia appears already under Ivan III (1462-1505). It is to him that the establishment of the state emblem, as such, is attributed. At that time, his seal acted as a coat of arms. On its front side there is a horseman piercing a serpent with a spear, on the back - a two-headed eagle.

The origin of the double-headed eagle goes back far into the past. The first images of him known to us date back to the 13th century BC. This is a rock carving of a double-headed eagle grabbing two birds with one stone. It served as the coat of arms of the Hittite kings.

Then the double-headed eagle is found in the Median kingdom - an ancient power spread over the territory of Asia Minor - during the reign of the Median king Cyaxares (625-585 BC). Centuries passed. And now we already see the double-headed eagle on the emblems of Rome. Here he appeared under Constantine the Great. In 326, he chose the double-headed eagle as his emblem. After the foundation of the new capital - Constantinople - in 330, the double-headed eagle became the state emblem of the Roman Empire. In Russia, the double-headed eagle appeared after the marriage of John III Vasilyevich and Sophia Palaiologos, the niece of the last Byzantine emperor Constantine XII Palaiologos. The history of relations between Russia and Byzantium is very deep and interesting and is a topic for a separate work. However, let us briefly address this issue. The first historical references to relations between Russia and Byzantium date back to 957 - the year when Princess Olga traveled to Constantinople and converted to Christianity. But further relations with Byzantium in Russia worsen. So in 969-972 a war broke out between them for Bulgaria, which was conquered by Svyatoslav.

Later, in 988 Vladimir the Holy baptized Russia.

"The adoption of Christianity from Byzantium by Russia opened the doors wide to the influence of Byzantine culture, Byzantine ideas and institutions. This influence had a significant impact in the political sphere. Together with Christianity, a stream of new political concepts and relations began to penetrate into Russia. Kiev prince the newcomer clergy endured the Byzantine concept of a sovereign appointed by God not only for the external defense of the country, but also for the establishment and maintenance of internal social order...”

However, there is no further historical evidence of relations between Russia and Byzantium until 1469, when Pope Paul II offered the daughter of Thomas Palaiologos Sophia as a wife to the Russian sovereign John III Vasilvich, whose wedding took place in 1472. This marriage did not lead Moscow to a religious union with Rome, but had important consequences for the rise of monarchical power in Moscow. as husband of the last Byzantine princess, the Grand Duke of Moscow becomes, as it were, the successor of the Byzantine emperor, who was revered as the head of the entire Orthodox East. At the request and on the advice of Sophia, in the Moscow Kremlin at the court of the Grand Duke, a magnificent, complex and strict ceremonial began to start according to the patterns of the Byzantine court. From the end of the 15th century, the previously prevailing simplicity of relations and the direct treatment of the sovereign with his subjects gradually ceased, and he rises above them to an unattainable height. Instead of the former simple and “domestic” title “Grand Duke Ivan Vasilyevich”, Ivan III takes on a magnificent title: “John, by the grace of God, Sovereign of All Russia and Grand Duke of Vladimir and Moscow and Novgorod and Pskov and Tver and Yugra and Perm and Bulgarian and others.”

In relations with small neighboring lands, the title of Tsar of All Russia already appears. Another title adopted by the Moscow sovereigns, "autocrat" is a translation of the Byzantine imperial title autocrator; this title originally meant an independent sovereign, not subject to any external authority, but Ivan the Terrible gave it the meaning of the absolute, unlimited power of the monarch over his subjects. From the end of the 15th century, the Byzantine coat of arms appeared on the seals of the Moscow sovereign - a double-headed eagle (which is combined with the former Moscow coat of arms - the image of George the Victorious). This is how Russia marked its succession from Byzantium, which is the first reflection of its development on the coat of arms...

The formation of the Russian coat of arms from Ivan III to Peter I

Already at the very beginning of the development of the Russian coat of arms, we see its interweaving with the history of Russia. An interesting fact is that the eagle on the seals of John III was depicted with a closed beak and looked more like an eaglet than an eagle. If you look at Russia of that period, you can see that it is a young state that is just beginning to form as a centralized one. The first reliable evidence of the use of the double-headed eagle as a state emblem is the seal of John III Vasilyevich on the exchange letter of 1497 with his nephews, princes Fedor and Ivan Borisovich Volotsky.

In the reign of Vasily III Ioannovich (1505-1533), the double-headed eagle is depicted already with open beaks, from which tongues protrude. This, for example, is evidenced by the seal attached in 1523 to the record of the sovereign and Grand Duke Vasily Ioannovich when he left with the army for Kazan. In short, if you approach from a purely artistic point of view, then you can say that the eagle begins to get angry. At the same time, having examined Russia of that time, we note that it is strengthening its position, becoming a new center of Orthodoxy. This fact was embodied in the theory of the monk Philotheus "Moscow - the Third Rome", known from the message of the monk Vasily III.

In the reign of John IV Vasilyevich (1533-1584), Russia won decisive victories over the Kazan and Astrakhan kingdoms, annexed Siberia. The growth of the power of the Russian state was reflected in its coat of arms. The double-headed eagle on the state seal is crowned with one crown with an eight-pointed Orthodox cross above her. On the front side of the seal on the chest of the eagle there is a carved or "Germanic" shield with a unicorn - the king's personal sign. The fact is that all the symbols used in the personal symbolism of John IV are taken from the Psalter, which testifies to the rooting of Christianity in Russia. On the reverse side of the seal on the chest of the eagle is a shield with the image of St. George beating a serpent. Subsequently, this side of the seal will play an important role in the formation of the Russian coat of arms. The image of the Moscow coat of arms on the chest of the eagle becomes traditional. However, in accordance with the ancient Russian icon-painting tradition, St. George is turned to the right side of the viewer, which contradicts the heraldic rules.

February 21, 1613 Zemsky Sobor elected Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov to the kingdom. This put an end to the Troubles, which in the period between the death of Ivan the Terrible and the accession to the throne of Mikhail Romanov undermined the spirit of the Russian people and almost eradicated Russian statehood. Russia was embarking on the path of prosperity and greatness. During this period, the eagle on the coat of arms “started” and spread its wings for the first time, which could mean the “awakening” of Russia after long sleep, and the beginning of a new era in the history of the state. By this period, Russia had completely completed its unification and had already managed to become a single and fairly strong state. And this fact is symbolically reflected in the state emblem. Instead of an eight-pointed cross, a third crown appeared above the eagle, which meant the Holy Trinity, but was interpreted by many as a symbol of the unity of Great Russians, Little Russians and Belarusians.

Alexei Mikhailovich Romanov (1645-1676) managed to end the Russian-Polish conflict by establishing the Andrusovo truce with Poland (1667), under which Russia was able to “show itself” to all of Europe. The Russian state occupies a fairly significant place next to the European states. During the reign of Alexei Romanov, the appearance of a new image of a coat of arms eagle was also noted. This is due to the fact that, at the request of the tsar, the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire Leopold I sent to Moscow his king of arms Lavrenty Hurelevich, who in 1673 wrote an essay “On the Genealogy of the Russian Grand Dukes and Sovereigns, with an indication of the affinity between Russia and eight European powers, that is, Caesar of Rome, the kings of England, Danish, Gishpan, Polish, Portuguese and Swedish, and with the image of these royal coats of arms, and in the middle of their Grand Duke St. Vladimir, at the end of the portrait of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich.

It was the starting point for the development of Russian heraldry. The state eagle of Alexei Mikhailovich was the prototype for subsequent official images of the Russian coat of arms. The wings of the eagle are raised high and fully open, which symbolized the complete assertion of Russia as a solid and powerful state; its heads are crowned with three royal crowns, a shield with the Moscow coat of arms is placed on its chest, and a scepter and orb are in its paws. An interesting fact is that before the attributes of monarchical power appeared in the paws of the eagle, the claws of the eagle, starting from the eagle on the marble slab of the Xiropotamsky monastery in Athos (Byzantium. 451-453), gradually unclenched, as if in the hope of grabbing something, until they took orb and scepter, thus symbolizing the affirmation absolute monarchy in Russia.

In 1667, with the help of Lavrenty Khurelevich, an official explanation of the Russian coat of arms was given for the first time: “The double-headed eagle is the coat of arms of the sovereign Grand Sovereign, Tsar and Grand Duke Alexei Mikhailovich of All Great and Small and White Russia, the autocrat, His Royal Majesty of the Russian kingdom, on which three korunas are depicted , signifying the three great Kazan, Astrakhan, Siberian glorious kingdoms, submitting to the God-protected and highest of His Royal Majesty, the most merciful Sovereign, and command ... on the Persians is the image of the heir; in pasonkteh, a scepter and an apple, and they reveal the most merciful Sovereign, His Royal Majesty the Autocrat and Possessor. As you can see, the description gives a new interpretation of the elements of the coat of arms. It is dictated by diplomatic considerations and should testify to the greatness of Russia.

"From Ancient Russia to the Russian Empire". Shishkin Sergey Petrovich, Ufa.

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