Coat of arms as a token of distinction. Coat of Arms of Cheboksary

How does the process of knowing something beforeunknown, or how is the moment of acquaintance in our society? Before the introductory part, when we open a book or give a hand to a person, it takes a while (even a few seconds). Usually it is enough for us to form our first impression of the object. It does not matter if it is false, it will be later or true, the main thing is that there is a moment of internal and sometimes unconscious evaluation in appearance, in the visible picture.

The need for insignia

This fact has long been known, since ancient times. Perhaps, therefore, earlier there were not only distinctive symbols of large cities, kingdoms and states, but also special insignia of specific families and clans. And even now, some families keep their symbols: the family seal or the family coat of arms. Earlier it was accepted. Not knowing the man, but seeing his coat of arms, one could learn a lot about not only the stranger himself, but also about the history of his kind, about the outstanding qualities of character (both good and bad) descendants, for the distinctive signs were inherited and included certain symbols. Therefore, previously there was a custom: before an important visit to the prince or the king, send out a message about yourself containing the family coat of arms so that some kind of positive and respectful attitude to the person before the meeting has already taken shape. Conversely, owners of infamous insignia (for misconduct and dishonor) tried to hide from all such a "brand". In those days, all the characters could be very easily read and understood.

History of the emblem and its components

Distinctive signs have appeared for a long time,Evidence (in the form of symbolic images left to descendants) led scientists into the ancient world. All family and patrimonial signs of ownership (banners, lines) are the predecessors of the arms. But the images-emblems, which were repeated on coins, seals and medals of the ancient world, are already considered to be the very first existing emblems.

The first arms, which are already close to modernarms, appeared in Western Europe in the Middle Ages. The spread of these distinctions is associated with the relevance of wars and hostilities in those times. In this regard, the arms may consist of a shield, a helmet, a hint (this is a cover of a helmet with a lining), a crown, a crest, a shield holder, a mantle and a motto. Then they began to undergo changes.

Now, at the mention of the word "coat of arms", as a rule, the shield itself is represented.

To understand the purpose and possible symbolism and components, let us examine a concrete example of the real city emblem.

Coat of Arms of Cheboksary: description

Let's pay attention to the Cheboksary symbol. It is a city with a centuries-old history, the capital of the Chuvash Republic. In terms of its development, it occupies not the last place among other capitals of our country. This is general information. What conclusions can a third-party observer who is unfamiliar with the culture of the Chuvash people do? What will the Cheboksary emblem tell him (photo below)?

View from the outside

So, the Cheboksary emblem: in the center on a blue sky background, there are five flying birds, similar to swans or ducks. Probably, this city now or earlier was the habitat of these feathered creatures, which means that this is a possible sign that hunting, including game, was widespread in these parts. The blue background of the heavens can tell us about the peaceful sky, this symbol could also be characterized by the people - a peace-loving, no one who does not want evil.

The year is indicated in the upper part of the coat of arms. Most likely, the year of the founding of the city is 1469. There is also a certain ornament that relates directly to the people and is clearly something signifying. On either side of the coat of arms framing the climbing plant, probably the city is rich in greens or some plant cultures. At the very top are the symbols of the three stars, possibly meaning the outstanding features of this city or a strong connection with the gods.

A person who does not know about Cheboksary and Chuvashia has nothingor possessing very little information about the republic and the capital, without a doubt, would be right in everything. But this view is very superficial. Coat of arms Cheboksary, its symbolism has a very deep meaning. And the person who knows or is keen on studying the arms, the heraldic language (the language of symbols, that is, their meaning) will tell much more about the capital and people of Chuvashia.

View from the inside

The Cheboksary coat of arms is a silver shield of the Frenchform. For awareness: shields are of different shapes, but French is considered the most convenient (and common in the territory in Russia in its time) in terms of the availability of free space for filling with symbols and information. It is divided into a chapter and a foundation.

Talking character: duck

On the azure part of the base there are fivesilver ducks that fly envelope. By the way, according to the rules of heraldry, they should not be replaced by anything and no one. It is important to recall that Cheboksary's coat of arms looked different before, but the ducks were also there, though not in the azure, but in the blue field. But according to all the rules, they were harmoniously transferred to the new coat of arms of the city in 1969. These five ducks in the world heraldry were not repeated by anyone. The significance of this symbol is deep - the desire for freedom and initiative, purposefulness and achievement of the set goals. It should also be said, for this will supplement the deep "reading" of the coat of arms, that the ordinary figure of a duck (sometimes a swan) speaks about the mediation between heaven and water.

It is curious that before the revolution there was another coat of armsthe city of Cheboksary. The history says that until a certain time, Chuvashia was part of the Kazan Gubernia, and therefore the coat of arms of the former city looked different for historical reasons. It consisted of two parts: the upper part - the coat of arms of Kazan, the province of Kazan, the lower one - the already known ducks. There have been geographical and historical changes - the coat of arms has changed.

The value of the number "five"

Ducks are not accidentally reflected on the coat of arms in thisquantity. This figure reflects the Chuvash world view: there was an idea of five pillars of space: one support is directly in the center of the world, and the other four - in every corner of the universe. Almost the same way ducks are located - an "envelope".

Talking symbol: river

The azure base is separated from the shield's head inred tones (wavy color) with a zigzag line. This ornament in the Chuvash culture marks the water element, in this case - the Volga River. The river for this people is a symbol of life, movement.

Talking character: oak

Also in the upper part of the shield are stylized depictedthree silhouettes are trees, namely oaks. Two oaks on the sides are filled from the inside with red (chervlennym) color, in the middle - filling azure. In the field of medium oak, the year 1469. is indicated. At this time, Cheboksary was first mentioned in historical chronicles, which means that the city existed before, just this year it was brought to the pages of history. It must be said that for the Chuvash oak is a special tree, a symbol of the supreme deity, eternity and invincible power. They are located on the coat of arms horizontally on one line - this is also very symbolic. It is a reflection of the time line: the left is the past, in the middle is the present, and the right is the future. The meaning is as follows: the city on this earth was, is and will be.

Talking character: star

It is this promise in time that additionallyfix and repeat three octagonal stars. In general, a star for Chuvashes is the personification of the sun that gives life. Three stars - life as a gift in the past, life in the present and life in the future, that is again: "We were, we are and we will be."

The value of the number "three"

The trinity of the Chuvashes is not accidental. A triple repetition is a confirmation and fixation of something. Chuvashes had an idea of the ternary vertical model of the world. For them existed the lower, middle and upper worlds. And every single repetition is the fixation of something in one world, so there was a need for a triple reproduction.

Framing hops

The coat of arms of the city of Cheboksary is framed on the edgesstylized ornament of plants in golden, sunny tones. This hop is the most widespread technical crop of agriculture. No wonder the Chuvash people are famous for their beer (and the availability of a beer museum in Cheboksary).

Shoupashkar

The coat of arms is completed with the inscription below: "Shupashkar" and "Cheboksary." This is the name of the city: the upper one in the Chuvash language, the lower one in Russian. If we turn to the history of the meaning of the Chuvash word "Shushashkar", then the meaning is the following: "surrounded by water". Indeed, the city was previously surrounded by water: on one side of the Volga, on the other - by the river Cheboksarka. But time, as we see, is making its own corrections.

And more interesting facts ...

The author of the modern coat of arms (and flag) Cheboksaryis Elli Mikhailovich Yuryev. Although the Cheboksary emblem was created in 1969, it was approved only in 1998. He is also the creator and developer of the symbol of the Chuvash Republic.

It is interesting that V. Shipunov finalized the project of the Cheboksary emblem with additional symbols and components. He had shield holders - a silver swan (a symbol of purity and rebirth, wisdom and courage, a symbol of the water element and earth) and a silver dragon (male avatar, element of fire). The crown over the coat of arms speaks of the greatness of this land and the achievement of great heights (thanks to fellow-cosmonaut A. Nikolayev). Frames the same coat of arms of the Order of the Red Banner of Labor.