Russian heraldry
Heraldic tradition | Eastern European |
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Governing body | State Heraldic Register of the Russian Federation |
Russian heraldry involves the study and use of
History
Precursors
Before conventional heraldry was introduced to Russia, rulers of
The two seal designs used in Moscow – the aforementioned double-headed eagle and the "yezdets", a horseman (or more specifically Saint George) killing a dragon – became the two main elements in the modern-day coat of arms of Russia, as well as the arms of the Russian Empire before that.
Imperial heraldry
True armorial bearings were not used in Russia until the 17th century, although some have speculated about times earlier than this. Early arms were at least partly inspired by Western designs, and this was made more great by the acquisition of Ukraine, which had already been influenced by western heraldry. Early designs did not follow the usual rules of heraldry. By 1689, there was some legal status of arms, helped by the nobility reforms of 1682, and the ideas of Peter the Great. He oversaw the first officers of arms, the turning of state symbols into true heraldry, and started to protect certain families' rights to particular arms.[1]
Soviet heraldry
The Soviet Union, created after the 1917 revolution, required insignia to represent itself in line with other sovereign states, such as emblems, flags and seals, but the Soviet leaders did not wish to continue the old heraldic practices which they saw as associated with the societal system the revolution sought to replace. In response to the needs and wishes, the national emblem adopted would lack the traditional heraldic elements of a shield, helm, crest and mantling, and instead be presented more plainly. This style was followed then by other socialist and communist states, which wished to also focus attention on the nation's workers and diverge from feudalism and all of its associations.[2]
Coat of arms of Russia
The coat of arms of the Russian Federation derives from the earlier arms of the
A horseman, considered to be Saint George, killing a dragon, is the second of the two main Russian symbols. It is the coat of arms of Moscow and used on the flag of Moscow (which is a banner of arms) and as an inescutcheon (smaller shield) on the coat of arms of Russia.[4]
The state
Regulation
In Imperial Russia, the use of coats of arms was not regulated – although comparatively common among the upper classes, arms of non-nobles were rare, although they were not banned. However, since they were not condoned, they were rare. In modern times, use has become more common. There has been no change in regulation, although the use of traditional noble indicators (certain types of helms, and supporters, for example) is restricted.[5]
When the Soviet regime took over in Russia, it abolished all titles of nobility (although at that time they did not control the whole of Russia).[6] However, this failed to abolish their heraldic lineage, which continued. There are, therefore, a large number of noble arms, complete with supporters and helms. In the Russian Empire, arms were actively used as a symbol of one's nobility. Unlike coats of arms in other countries (such as in English heraldry), they were largely granted to the family as a whole.[7]
Some states have State Herald Masters, which have some regulating effects.[8]
Heraldic Council
The Heraldic Council of the President of the Russian Federation (translated various ways) advises the President, and hence the State, on heraldic matters. This includes the use of official symbols, and preventing their use by non-authorised sources. It helps local and regional governments devise coats of arms. It also discusses matters, and researches heraldry in Russia.[9] It runs, and has authority over, the State Heraldic Register.
References
- ^ Russian Heraldry: A Brief Survey. Russian heraldry as it is. Accessed 31 July 2009.
- ISBN 87 567 1685 0.
- ^ Russian Coat of Arms at Flags of the World. Accessed 31 July 2009.
- ^ Moscow at Flags of the World. Accessed 31 July 2009.
- ^ The Commoners. Russian heraldry as it is. Accessed 31 July 2009.
- ^ Nobility. Russian heraldry as it is. Accessed 31 July 2009.
- ^ The Commoners. Russian heraldry as it is. Accessed 31 July 2009.
- ^ Parish of Kizhi. Russian heraldry as it is. Accessed 31 July 2009.
- ^ Heraldic Council Archived 2008-02-04 at the Wayback Machine. Website of the President of Russia. Accessed 31 July 2009.