History of the emblem of Russia

The history of the coat of arms of Russia is very ancient and interesting, it contains many facts related to its creation. The first information can be attributed back to 1497, as the scientists proved that it was at this time on the seal of Ivan III, which he got from Basil the Dark, was the designation of a lion torturing a snake (the lion at the time was a symbol of the Vladimir principality).

To form the ideology of the united country, by the end of the 15th century a new symbol of power was elected. The history of the coat of arms of Russia shows that the designation of statehood was chosen by George the Victorious (previously it was used in Kiev Rus). Another symbol was the two-headed eagle.

The history of the emblem of Russia indicates that de facto this symbol was challenged the right of the Habsburg empire to be called the strongest state in Western Europe. In addition, there was a formal reason for this, because Ivan III's wife, Sophia Palaeologus, was the daughter of the head of the Despot, and the two-headed eagle was their patrimonial sign.

With the final liquidation and termination of dependence on the Golden Horde, the first Grand Prince's press appeared. Historians have come to the conclusion that the history of the emblem of Russia begins with the state emblem depicted on the seal, which was attached to the charter of the specific princes for land holdings in 1497. At the same time, images appeared in the Kremlin on the walls of the Faceted Chamber in the form of a gilt double-headed eagle on a red field.

In the years 1539-1589. Under Ivan the Terrible the two-headed eagle is transferred to the coat of arms of Russia. History mentions the addition of his unicorn in the center. Then it was replaced by a horseman-a serpent-the Moscow symbol. Later, Orthodox symbols appeared, which reflected the role of the official religion.

The horseman was identified with the sovereign, and since the days of Ivan the Terrible he appeared on Russian seals and coins. The image symbolizing the Grand Duke was perceived as such until the beginning of the 18th century. Only under Peter I (in 1710) he was called "Saint George." In those years, the imperial emblem was established.

Times of the Russian Troubles in 1604-1606. Made their changes in the state symbols. The traditions of Western European heraldry were used: the rider turned to the right, and instead of the cross, the third crown appeared for the first time. After 1625, the two-headed eagle with three crowns, meaning the conquered Astrakhan, Siberian and Kazan kingdoms, adorns the coat of arms of Russia.

The history of the reign of Alexei Mikhailovich introduces his own corrections, which are expressed in the appearance of the scepter and the power. After 1699 on the arms appear elements of the Andrew Order, which were introduced at the insistence of the ruler. The eagle acquires a black color in the manner of the Western European arms. By a decree of 1704, the image of a rider (George the Victorious) is called a "sovereign". This is confirmed in the documents of the later, 1730's.

History of the coat of arms 1730-1740. Gets a form fixed for a long time. Invited by the Empress Anna Ioannovna, a Swedish engraver, of Swiss origin, engraved in 1740 with minor changes the State Seal, which was used until 1856.

Emperor Paul I after the conquest of Malta by Napoleon became the head of the Order of Malta, and the history of the emblem continued to change, and the eagle is placed on the chest cross. During the reign of Paul I , a complex emblem of the Russian Empire, consisting of 43 small ones, is being developed, which can not be confirmed in his lifetime. In 1830 other variants appeared, but Emperor Nicholas I adopted two official types.

In 1856, a small coat of arms was approved, and the conducted heraldic reform of Alexander II in 1857 adopted a whole set of samples, consisting of 110 drawings. In the future, until the February revolution, there is no change in this important state issue.

After the Provisional Government came to power in 1917, all the attributes of the emblem, except the eagle, were lost. In this form it existed until 24/07/1918, until a new Soviet model was adopted. In 1978, he was added a red star. In 1992, on the symbol of statehood, the inscription "RSFSR" was abolished, replacing it with another one - "The Russian Federation". The adoption of the modern state emblem occurred in 1993.