Where did the double-headed eagle appear on the coat of arms of Russia? Why is there a double-headed eagle on the coat of arms of Russia: the history of the formation of the coat of arms.

In the article we offer a detailed description of one of the main state attributes - the coat of arms of the Russian Federation: what it symbolizes and means for us and all of Russia, and what is the meaning of the double-headed eagle.

Images on banners and seals emphasize the independence and individuality of the people and demonstrate their historical identity. It is this national emblem that is depicted on banknotes, documents and government patches. The main function of this sign is the spiritual unification of all people living in Russia. Each event of past years has a certain level of influence on descendants. Creating attributes is no exception.

History of Russia: description and meaning of the symbols of the state emblem

The first mentions of uniform images of the country and their approval date back to the tenth century. It was then that they began to use the image on the imprint of the state seal. At that distant time, the use of such a distinctive sign was already a great innovation, since church designations were mainly used for these purposes. Heraldry at that time was limited to the image of the Cross of the Savior or the Blessed Virgin Mary. The eagle became one of the first “non-Christian” symbols of Russia and marked the beginning of the use of animalistic images in state emblems.

Since ancient times, this proud bird was a national attribute of the powerful Byzantine Empire. Its appearance in our open spaces happened thanks to John III. Many experts claim that the reason for this was the conclusion of a marriage alliance with Princess Sofia. She was of Byzantine blood. The exchange of cultural heritage of different peoples led to the borrowing of a historically important object in the heraldry of our state.

Many researchers have discussed what the coat of arms of the Russian Federation means and what is the meaning of its symbolism. For a full analysis, it is necessary to obtain information about the origin of the sign and assess the authority of the national attributes. Before the appearance of the double-headed eagle, the most common personification of the power of a country was a lion killing a snake. His image was associated with the Principality of Vladimir. Around the same time, the image of a horseman became very popular. A little later it was transformed into St. George the Victorious.

It is worth noting the fact that ornithological motifs in heraldic signs are reflected in many countries of the Old World. Historians say that John III simply liked this display of sovereign power. Most likely he saw it on some foreign order or agreement. After researching the trends of those times, the monarch could establish this symbolism in his own country - thus the approval of a new and original coat of arms took place.

For alchemists, an eagle with two heads personified the mystical philosopher's stone and the process of its creation. Most doctors and foreign pharmacists worked at the court of the Russian emperor. Most likely, they suggested the idea of ​​placing a proud bird on the coat of arms of the Moscow sovereign. This is another hypothesis about where and with whose help the future image of sovereign power was borrowed.

Historical path to establishing basic attributes

The first use of a seal with an eagle imprint occurred when sealing land ownership documents. After that, this sign was used to decorate the interior of the Kremlin walls. It was during this period that the spread of the animalistic figure began. This symbol was used by many Russian rulers.
During the time of Boris Godunov, the emblem of the Russian Federation received three crowns. Under the influence of European customs and traditions, changes are also taking place in the emblem. As a result, we can observe a more aggressive image of the bird itself. The beak is open and its tongue sticks out, which shows its readiness to attack at any moment. The royal headdresses also changed over time. At the very beginning, the image showed not one heraldic crown, but two. Instead of the third, different variations of the cross were illustrated.

After the end of the Time of Troubles, with the reign of the Romanov dynasty, the eagle on the coat of arms spread its wings. It is worth noting that all False Dmitrys used a seal with an imprint of the coat of arms.

In the 17th century, the image of the national attribute of Russia was supplemented not only with a scepter, but also with an orb. The king of birds securely holds these elements of royal power in his strong paws. Both components became a clear sign of autocratic power. Since those distant times, the first descriptions of the meaning of the symbols of the emblem have reached us. Until now, all documents are stored in archives and carefully studied by scientists.

Serious changes in the coat of arms of the Russian Federation occur during the reign of the great emperor - Paul I. At this time, the era of grandiose wars with the French began. Already in 1799, British troops captured Malta. Namely, our ruler was her patron.

The improvident act of the British led the monarch into a state of great rage. The foreign policy conflict pushed him towards an alliance with Napoleon himself and led to the signing of an agreement with the French emperor, which later served as one of the reasons for Paul’s death. After this, the image of a cross appeared as part of the state sign - evidence of claims on the territory of Malta.

During the life of Paul I, the greatest project was prepared for the production of the Great Coat of Arms of the future Russian Federation - it contained information about what it symbolizes, what every detail means. It was carried out in full compliance with the heraldic norms and standards characteristic of those times. All 43 symbols included in the general composition of the lands were collected around the product with the exact image of an eagle in the center. The complete shield with all the emblems was held by the two main archangels. But the grandiose idea was not destined to come true. The emperor was killed by the conspirators and the plan remained only on paper.

After the events described, the sign of power went through a long path of external changes. The image of a two-headed bird appears from the beginning of 1497 as an updated version.

The meaning of the symbol on the coat of arms of Russia: what does the double-headed eagle mean?

The theory comparing Moscow with powerful Rome came to light after the death of ruler John III. There are many well-known versions about the origin of the image of the country's greatness, immortalized on elements of paraphernalia. The choice of this image could cause a dispute over the ownership of the image with the powerful Habsburg empire. Scientists have established that before this sign appeared on our territory, it already appeared on the state seals of Frederick III. The German Holy Empire also considered itself the rightful successor to powerful Rome.

These theories have many weaknesses.

• Historians cannot explain why the eagle, as a “dowry” from a Byzantine princess, began to exist 20 long years after the marriage.

• The “Habsburg” origin of the bird also has no logical explanation. Namely, why Moscow borrowed a symbol from an empire with which there were no friendly relations.

If we take a closer look at the latest version, it turns out to be the most plausible. The territorially close neighbor of the Russian Federation is the Golden Horde, which for some time issued coins with the image of an eagle. There is a high probability that John III saw this money. After the collapse of Ulus Jochi, the king borrowed the designations he liked for our country.

Scientists have examined all the theories of heraldic origin and found out what the state symbolism of the coat of arms of Russia historically means and what is the main meaning of the double-headed eagle depicted on it.

The official appearance of the emblem was approved only in 1993. The corresponding decree was signed by the first ruler of modern Russia, Boris Yeltsin. Later, in 2005, the image was enshrined in the main constitutional law and became the main emblem of the state. The country has entered a new era with historically established traditional signs.

Brief description of the national attribute

Externally, it is presented in the form of an interconnected system of color combinations and traditional images. At the same time, they are inextricably linked with the national mentality. This is a quadrangular heraldic shield with rounded edges and a slightly pointed center. The coat of arms is strictly red, with an eagle with two outstretched wings in the background. Each of the two heads is crowned with a heraldic crown. Between them there is also a royal dress, but of a larger size. All of them are connected together with a gold ribbon. The right clawed paw holds the scepter, and the left one holds the orb.

There is another canvas on the chest of this proud bird. It is also made in red and externally repeats the silhouette of the main one, but is smaller in size. It depicts a horseman dressed in a blue cloak, who strikes a terrible black snake with a silver spear. We all know the legend about how St. George the Victorious killed the dragon. There are many icons on this topic.

How the symbols on the coat of arms (eagle, crowns) were formed and what they mean for Russia

Heraldry, the science of the origin of signs, helps to decipher emblems and supplement existing information with new facts. Scientists have established the meaning of each of the elements of a state attribute.

• Double-headed eagle. He looks in two opposite directions. It can be assumed that in this way the bird covers the whole of Asia and Europe with its gaze, which demonstrates the unity of these powerful principles. Its location indicates the unification of multinational Russian lands.

• Crowns. Three royal attires represent the sovereignty of the Russian Federation, the unification of previously conquered kingdoms, or the Holy Trinity.

• Items on the coat of arms. The state personifies state power and power. It is worth noting that the scepter has an identical double-headed eagle with the same symbol in the strong paw.

• George the Victorious. The meaning of this image is the victory of the forces of good over evil. The warrior became the personification of the defender of the Fatherland.

• Triple row of feathers. In a modern treatise, this is a reference to the unity of such concepts as kindness, truth and beauty.

• Shield. Another attribute that speaks of protecting the earth from the enemy.

Initially, the coat of arms included an image of a unicorn, but later it was replaced by a silver horseman. A warrior on a horse was perceived as the image of the sovereign himself. During the reign of Ivan the Terrible, the power of Moscow was established, and the horseman was removed from the coat of arms. It is worth noting that St. George is considered the patron saint of the capital. Now it can be argued that the image on the coat of arms also carries information about the main faith for the people of Russia - Orthodoxy. The author of the modern sign that adorns banners, seals, and coins is Evgeniy Ilyich Ukhnalev. The artist himself comes from St. Petersburg.

When creating a new image of the national emblem, he left the main elements. The holistic version includes details from different eras and emphasizes the long-term and inextricable connection of events in Russian history. The appearance of the modern coat of arms is strictly regulated by law.

Symbolism of the color of the coat of arms of Russia: what does the red background mean?

Color is the brightest and at the same time simplest way to emphasize the greatness of the overall image of statehood. Only in 2000 they decided to return the golden plumage to the double-headed eagle, emphasizing the power and wealth of the great country. There is another meaning in the noble tone - it testifies to the justice and mercy of the Orthodox Church.

The silver horseman indicates nobility and purity of origin, depicts a special desire for just causes, shows the struggle for truth, the desire to achieve it at any cost.

The red field speaks of spilled blood. The people inhabiting Russian territories did not spare her when defending their native land. Red is also courage, love for the Motherland, a sign of the multinationality of the state, where different fraternal peoples live peacefully.

But the depicted dragon, or, as it is also called, the serpent, is made in black. Most heraldic specialists are inclined to a single version. This image denotes constant trials in the fate of the state, eternal memory and sorrow for the innocent dead.

Constitutional regulation of the use of national attributes

At the legislative level, a list of possible areas of application of the Russian coat of arms has been defined. It is placed at all structures of the Supreme State Authority.

• Main Residence of the President.
• Council of the Russian Federation.
• The State Duma.
• Constitutional Court.
• Power structures and organizations.

On important holidays for the whole country, it is customary to decorate houses and buildings with flags with a proud bird.

Images of the main attributes of our state were created in different eras and by different people, starting from the first ancient mentions in the chronicles of the 10th century. The double-headed eagle depicted on the coat of arms of Russia and what it symbolizes is a sign with a long history of creation. Historians still cannot determine the final theory of the origin of the image: whether it was borrowed from Europeans or Asians, whether its creators were the Slavs, who brought the sovereign attribute in its original form to Russian soil.

Over time, the development of heraldry makes its own adjustments to the picturesque image of the country’s sovereign designation. But in general, the emblem reflects the eternal unity and cohesion of all peoples and nationalities living peacefully on the territory of the state.

the site recalls the history of the appearance of the double-headed eagle, how it changed and in what form it has reached the present day.

West and East

The state emblem of Russia is an ancient symbol of our statehood. The eagle is present on the coats of arms of many states, but the double-headed eagle is preserved on only a few: Russian, Serbian and Albanian. For the first time such a symbol appeared in the 13th century BC and later appeared on many emblems.

The question of where the image of the double-headed eagle came from in Rus' is still controversial to this day. Even in “History of the Russian State,” Nikolai Karamzin drew attention to this fact. He suggested that such a coat of arms first appeared in Russia in the 15th century, when Tsar Ivan III married the niece of the Byzantine emperor. Wanting to emphasize the kinship with the rulers of a strong state, the tsar ordered to depict a double-headed eagle, the coat of arms of Byzantium, on the reverse side of the princely seal.

There are other versions of the origin of the coat of arms: according to one, Ivan III simply wanted to get closer to the countries of Western Europe, where at that time a similar symbol was actively used. On the other hand, to improve relations with close South Slavic states, such as Serbia or Montenegro.

One way or another, since the 15th century this symbol has been firmly entrenched in Russian emblems.

During the reign of Ivan the Terrible, an image of St. George the Victorious began to be placed on the eagle’s chest. In the 17th century, a scepter and an orb appeared in the bird’s paws. They symbolized the unity and integrity of the empire and the protection of sovereignty.

Double-headed eagle on the coat of arms of Ivan III Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org

Later, three crowns appeared: two on the heads of the eagle, the third large one on top in the middle. They meant the Holy Trinity, although later they were also interpreted as a symbol of the unity of Great Russians, Little Russians and Belarusians.

Peter I made a great contribution to Russian heraldry, giving the Russian state the title of empire. He ordered that the chain of the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called be added to the coat of arms. Then the eagle turned from gold to black, and the background on which it was located turned yellow.

The right wing was decorated with shields with the coats of arms of Kyiv, Novgorod and Astrakhan, and the left wing - with shields of Vladimir, Kazan and the Siberian kingdom.

After Peter I adopted the title of emperor, the royal crowns were replaced on the coat of arms with imperial ones.

The double-headed eagle has become a symbol of the inseparability of European and Asian Russia, united under one imperial crown: one crowned head looks to the West, the other to the East.

Return of the Eagle

Alexander II brought the image of the coat of arms in accordance with the rules of international heraldry. After all, neither under Peter, nor under the following Russian emperors, not a single official document was created that approved the image of the coat of arms of the Russian Empire. Therefore, kings often experimented in the field of state heraldry. For example, under Alexander I the eagle lowered its wings.

Small coat of arms of 1857. Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org

On April 11, 1857, the Large, Middle and Small coats of arms, compiled by the artist Boris Vasilyevich Kene, were approved. The large state emblem has become one of the most complex coats of arms in the entire history of states in the world. Its description alone takes up several pages of text. During creation, the author made several inaccuracies. For example, the Moscow horseman who strikes a snake with a spear was turned to the right, although before that he had always been turned to the left.

In 1993, the double-headed eagle again became a symbol of the eternity of Russian statehood, its continuity with the great empires of antiquity. Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org

In this form, the coat of arms of Russia remained unchanged until the October Revolution of 1917. A new coat of arms appeared in the USSR, which looked completely different. He represented an image of a sickle and a hammer against the backdrop of the globe in the rays of the sun and framed by ears of corn. On them was the inscription “Workers of all countries, unite,” written in all the languages ​​of the union republics. Later, a five-pointed star was located at the top of the coat of arms. The Soviet coat of arms took its final form in 1978.

Only in 1993 did the double-headed eagle return to the coat of arms of the Russian state. It again became a symbol of the eternity of Russian statehood, its continuity with the great empires of antiquity.

The Russian coat of arms is not just a drawing. It has a rich history, and each element carries a hidden meaning.

The official symbol of any country is its coat of arms. Any coat of arms, as a rule, has its own long and interesting history. Each symbol of the coat of arms has a strictly defined meaning. The coat of arms may depict the main activity of the country, an important historical event, an animal or bird. In general, anything that is important for the people and the state.

In addition to the coat of arms, any country also has a flag and anthem. This article is devoted to the coat of arms of the Russian Federation. But if you are interested in learning, for example, about the flag of the Russian Federation, we recommend that you contact.

What the State Emblem of the Russian Federation looks like: photo

So, the state emblem of the Russian Federation is an image of a double-headed eagle, on each of the heads there is one small royal crown. A larger crown crowns both heads. The eagle has a scepter in one paw and an orb in the other. These are symbols of power since the times of Tsarist Russia. On the eagle's chest is the coat of arms of the capital of Russia - the city of Moscow. On it, St. George the Victorious kills a snake with a spear.

Now the coat of arms of the Russian Federation looks like this

It is noteworthy that each city in the Russian Federation has its own coat of arms, which is chosen through popular vote!

It is worth saying that the coat of arms of the Russian Federation was not always exactly the same as we know it now. Over the past 100-plus years, several revolutions have occurred in Russia. The government changed, the name of the country changed, and the coat of arms and flag changed accordingly. The modern coat of arms has only existed since 1993. In 2000, the description of the coat of arms changed, but the coat of arms itself remained the same.

The photo below shows how the coat of arms of the RSFSR differed from the coat of arms of the USSR.

The crest of the Russian Empire, approved in 1882, is more reminiscent of a whole composition. On the left is Archangel Michael, on the right is Archangel Gabriel. The small coat of arms inside, crowned with the coats of arms of the principalities, is the progenitor of the modern Russian coat of arms, only in black.

And before Russia became an empire, the Russian state had its own flag. It is very similar to the small coat of arms of the Russian Empire, but not as well detailed.

Depending on the ruler and the general situation in the country, the coat of arms changed. There were at least three versions of the Russian coat of arms before 1882. But in general they all represent a reworking of the same image.

History of the Russian coat of arms: description for children

The history of the coat of arms of Russia begins in the Middle Ages. In Rus' there was never a coat of arms; instead, images of saints and an Orthodox cross were used.

This is interesting! The image of an eagle on coats of arms was relevant in Ancient Rome, and before it in the ancient Hittite kingdom. The eagle was considered a symbol of the highest power.

So how did the double-headed eagle migrate to the coat of arms of the Russian state? There is an opinion that the symbol came from Byzantium, but there is speculation that perhaps the image of an eagle was borrowed from European states.

Many countries have a coat of arms with an eagle in different variations. An example in the photo below.

The coat of arms was approved only in the 16th century. No one can name the exact date now. The coat of arms changed with each new ruler. Elements were added or removed by the following rulers:

• 1584 1587 - Fyodor Ivanovich “Blessed” (son of Ivan IX the Terrible) - an Orthodox cross appeared between the eagle crowns
• 1613 - 1645 - Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov - image on the chest of an eagle of the Moscow coat of arms, third crown
• 1791 - 1801 - Paul the First - image of the cross and crown of the Order of Malta
• 1801 - 1825 - Alexander the First - abolition of Maltese symbols and the third crown, instead of a scepter and orb - a wreath, torch, lightning
• 1855 - 1857 - Alexander the Second - redrawing of the double-headed eagle (rework), approval of three crowns, an orb, a scepter, in the center - a rider in armor killing a snake.

Without changes, the coat of arms of the Russian Empire was valid until 1917. After the coup, the new government approved a simpler, “proletarian” coat of arms - the hammer and sickle.

And after the collapse of the USSR and the reorganization of the USSR into the RSFSR, the coat of arms was slightly redesigned (the photo is already in the article). Then the coat of arms was returned, reminiscent of the coat of arms of the Russian Empire, but in a different color scheme. This was in 1993.

What is depicted on the coat of arms of the Russian Federation: description and meaning of the symbolism of each element of the coat of arms of the Russian Federation

Each component of the coat of arms carries a specific meaning:

• heraldic shield (that same red background) is the main element of the coat of arms of any state
• double-headed eagle - a symbol of supreme power and bilateral policy of the Russian state
• crowns - high dignity, state sovereignty, national wealth
• scepter and orb - symbols of power
• a rider on a horse killing a snake - according to one version, this is St. George the Victorious, according to another, Tsar Ivan III. It is difficult to give an exact definition, perhaps this is an appeal to the memory of ancestors, the embodiment of a legend, or simply an image made to order of Ivan III.

How many colors are on the coat of arms of the Russian Federation?

There are several colors on the Russian coat of arms. Each color has a special meaning. For example:

• red is the color of courage, courage, shed blood.
• golden - wealth
• blue - sky, freedom
• white - purity
• black (snake) - symbol of evil

So it turns out that three of the five colors are found both on the coat of arms of Russia and on the flag. For the country, the meaning of these flowers has always been very important, because courage, purity and freedom have always been the driving force in the soul of the Russian person.

Video: Coat of Arms of Russia (documentary)

The Russian state emblem is, along with the flag and anthem, one of the main official symbols of our country. Its main element is a double-headed eagle spreading its wings. Officially, the state emblem was approved by decree of the first President of the Russian Federation on November 30, 1993. However, the double-headed eagle is a much more ancient symbol, the history of which is lost in the dark depths of past centuries.

The image of this heraldic bird first appeared in Rus' at the end of the 15th century, during the reign of John III. Since then, transforming and changing, the double-headed eagle has invariably been present in the state symbols of first the Moscow Principality, then the Russian Empire, and, finally, modern Russia. This tradition was interrupted only in the last century - for seven decades the huge country lived under the shadow of the hammer and sickle... The wings of the double-headed eagle helped the Russian Empire take off powerfully and swiftly, however, its fall was completely tragic.

However, despite such a long history, there are many mysterious and incomprehensible moments in the origin and meaning of this symbol, which historians still argue about.

What does the coat of arms of Russia mean? What metamorphoses has it undergone over the past centuries? Why and where did this strange two-headed bird come to us, and what does it symbolize? Were there alternative versions of the Russian coat of arms in ancient times?

The history of the Russian Coat of Arms is indeed very rich and interesting, but before moving on to it and trying to answer the above questions, a brief description of this main Russian symbol should be given.

Coat of arms of Russia: description and main elements

The state emblem of Russia is a red (scarlet) shield, on which there is an image of a golden double-headed eagle spreading its wings. Each of the bird's heads is crowned with a small crown, above which there is a large crown. They are all connected with tape. This is a sign of the sovereignty of the Russian Federation.

In one paw the eagle holds a scepter, and in the other - an orb, which symbolizes the unity of the country and state power. In the central part of the coat of arms, on the chest of the eagle, there is a red shield with a silver (white) rider who pierces a dragon with a spear. This is the oldest heraldic symbol of the Russian lands - the so-called rider - which began to be depicted on seals and coins since the 13th century. It symbolizes the victory of the bright principle over evil, the warrior-defender of the Fatherland, who has been especially revered in Russia since ancient times.

To the above, we can also add that the author of the modern Russian state emblem is the St. Petersburg artist Evgeny Ukhnalev.

Where did the double-headed eagle come from to Russia?

The main mystery of the Russian coat of arms, without a doubt, is the origin and meaning of its main element - an eagle with two heads. In school history textbooks, everything is explained simply: the Moscow prince Ivan III, having married the Byzantine princess and heir to the throne Zoya (Sophya) Paleologus, received the coat of arms of the Eastern Roman Empire as a dowry. And “in addition” is the concept of Moscow as the “Third Rome”, which Russia is still trying (with more or less success) to promote in relations with its closest neighbors.

This hypothesis was first expressed by Nikolai Karamzin, who is rightly called the father of Russian historical science. However, this version does not suit modern researchers at all, because there are too many inconsistencies in it.

Firstly, the double-headed eagle was never the state emblem of Byzantium. He, as such, did not exist at all. The strange bird was the coat of arms of the Palaiologos, the last dynasty to rule in Constantinople. Secondly, it raises serious doubts that Sophia could have conveyed anything to the Moscow sovereign at all. She was not the heir to the throne, she was born in Morea, spent her adolescence at the papal court and was far from Constantinople all her life. In addition, Ivan III himself never made any claims to the Byzantine throne, and the first image of a double-headed eagle appeared only several decades after the wedding of Ivan and Sophia.

The double-headed eagle is a very ancient symbol. It first appears among the Sumerians. In Mesopotamia, the eagle was considered an attribute of supreme power. This bird was especially revered in the Hittite kingdom, a powerful Bronze Age empire that competed on equal terms with the state of the pharaohs. It was from the Hittites that the double-headed eagle was borrowed by the Persians, Medes, Armenians, and then the Mongols, Turks and Byzantines. The double-headed eagle has always been associated with the sun and solar beliefs. In some drawings, the ancient Greek Helios rules a chariot drawn by two double-headed eagles...

In addition to the Byzantine one, there are three more versions of the origin of the Russian double-headed eagle:

• Bulgarian;
• Western European;
• Mongolian

In the 15th century, Ottoman expansion forced many South Slavs to leave their homeland and seek refuge in foreign lands. Bulgarians and Serbs fled en masse to the Orthodox Principality of Moscow. The double-headed eagle has been common in these lands since ancient times. For example, this symbol was depicted on Bulgarian coins of the Second Kingdom. Although, it should be noted that the appearance of Eastern European eagles was very different from the Russian “bird”.

It is noteworthy that at the very beginning of the 15th century, the double-headed eagle became the state emblem of the Holy Roman Empire. It is possible that Ivan III, having adopted this symbol, wanted to equal the power of the strongest European state of his time.

There is also a Mongolian version of the origin of the double-headed eagle. In the Horde, this symbol was minted on coins since the beginning of the 13th century; among the clan attributes of the Chingizids there was a black two-headed bird, which most researchers consider to be an eagle. At the end of the 13th century, that is, long before the marriage of Ivan III and Princess Sophia, the Horde ruler Nogai married the daughter of the Byzantine emperor Euphrosyne Palaiologos, and, according to some historians, officially adopted the double-headed eagle as an official symbol.

Considering the close ties between Muscovy and the Horde, the Mongol theory of the origin of the main Russian symbol seems very plausible.

By the way, we do not know what color the Russian eagle of the “early versions” was. For example, on the royal weapons of the 17th century it is white.

Summarizing all of the above, we can state that we do not know for certain why and where the double-headed eagle came to Russia. Currently, historians consider the “Bulgarian” and “European” versions of its origin to be the most likely.

The very appearance of the bird raises no less questions. Why she has two heads is absolutely unclear. The explanation for turning each head to the East and West appeared only in the middle of the 19th century and is associated with the traditional location of the cardinal points on the geographical map. What if it were different? Would the eagle look north and south? It is likely that they simply took the symbol they liked, without particularly “bothering” with its meaning.

By the way, before the eagle, other animals were depicted on Moscow coins and seals. A very common symbol was the unicorn, as well as a lion tearing a snake.

The horseman on the coat of arms: why it appeared and what it means

The second central element of the Russian national coat of arms is a rider on a horse slaying a serpent. This symbol appeared in Russian heraldry long before the double-headed eagle. Today it is strongly associated with the saint and great martyr George the Victorious, but initially it had a different meaning. And he was most often confused with George by foreigners coming to Muscovy.

For the first time, the image of an equestrian warrior - a “rider” - appears on Russian coins at the end of the 12th - beginning of the 13th centuries. By the way, this cavalryman was not always armed with a spear. Options with a sword and a bow have reached us.

On the coins of Prince Ivan II the Red, a warrior appears for the first time slaying a snake with a sword. True, he was on foot. After this, the motive for the destruction of various reptiles becomes one of the most popular in Rus'. During the period of feudal fragmentation, it was used by various princes, and after the formation of the Moscow state, it turned into one of its main symbols. The meaning of “rider” is quite simple and lies on the surface - it is the victory of good over evil.

For a long time, the horseman symbolized not the heavenly warrior, but exclusively the prince and his supreme power. There was no talk of any Saint George. So, for example, on the coins of Prince Vasily Vasilyevich (this is the 15th century) there was an inscription next to the rider that clarified that this was really a prince.

The final change in this paradigm occurred much later, already during the reign of Peter the Great. Although, they began to associate the horseman with St. George the Victorious already in the time of Ivan the Terrible.

Russian sovereign eagle: flight through centuries

As mentioned above, the double-headed eagle became the official Russian symbol under Ivan III. The first evidence of its use that has survived to this day was the royal seal that sealed the exchange document in 1497. Around the same time, an eagle appeared on the walls of the Faceted Chamber of the Kremlin.

The double-headed eagle of that time was very different from its later “modifications”. His paws were open, or, translating from the language of heraldry, there was nothing in them - the scepter and orb appeared later.

It is believed that the placement of the rider on the chest of the eagle is associated with the existence of two royal seals - the Greater and the Lesser. The latter had a double-headed eagle on one side and a rider on the other. The great royal seal had only one side, and in order to place both state seals on it, they simply decided to combine them. For the first time such a composition is found on the seals of Ivan the Terrible. At the same time, a crown with a cross appears above the eagle’s head.

During the reign of Fyodor Ivanovich, the son of Ivan IV, the so-called Calvary cross appears between the heads of the eagle - a symbol of the martyrdom of Jesus Christ.

Even False Dmitry I was involved in the design of the Russian state emblem. He turned the rider in the other direction, which was more consistent with the heraldic traditions accepted in Europe. However, after his overthrow, these innovations were abandoned. By the way, all subsequent impostors gladly used the double-headed eagle, without trying to replace it with anything else.

After the end of the Time of Troubles and the accession of the Romanov dynasty, changes were made to the coat of arms. The eagle became more aggressive, attacking - it spread its wings and opened its beaks. Under the first sovereign of the Romanov dynasty, Mikhail Fedorovich, the Russian eagle first received a scepter and orb, although their image had not yet become mandatory.

During the reign of Alexei Mikhailovich, the eagle for the first time receives three crowns, which symbolize the three new recently conquered kingdoms - Kazan, Astrakhan and Siberian, and the scepter and orb become mandatory. In 1667, the first official description of the state coat of arms appeared (“Decree on the Coat of Arms”).

During the reign of Peter I, the eagle becomes black, and its paws, eyes, tongue and beak become gold. The shape of the crowns also changes, they acquire a characteristic “imperial” look. The dragon became black, and St. George the Victorious - silver. This color scheme will remain unchanged until the 1917 revolution.

Russian Emperor Paul I was also the Supreme Master of the Order of Malta. He tried to immortalize this fact in the state emblem. A Maltese cross and crown were placed on the eagle’s chest under a shield with a rider. However, after the death of the emperor, all these innovations were canceled by his successor Alexander I.

Loving order, Nicholas I began standardizing state symbols. Under him, two state emblems were officially approved: standard and simplified. Previously, inappropriate liberties were often taken in the images of the main sovereign symbol. The bird could hold in its paws not only a scepter and an orb, but also various wreaths, torches, and lightning. Her wings were also depicted in different ways.

In the mid-19th century, Emperor Alexander II carried out a major heraldic reform, which affected not only the coat of arms, but also the imperial flag. It was led by Baron B. Kene. In 1856, a new small coat of arms was approved, and a year later the reform was completed - medium and large state emblems appeared. After it, the eagle’s appearance changed somewhat; it began to look more like its German “brother.” But, most importantly, now St. George the Victorious began to look in a different direction, which was more in line with European heraldic canons. Eight shields with the coats of arms of the lands and principalities that were part of the empire were placed on the eagle’s wings.

Whirlwinds of revolution and modern times

The February Revolution overturned all the foundations of the Russian state. Society needed new symbols that were not associated with the hated autocracy. In September 1917, a special commission was created, which included the most eminent experts in heraldry. Considering that the issue of a new coat of arms was primarily political, they proposed temporarily, until the convening of the Constituent Assembly, to use the double-headed eagle of the period of Ivan III, removing any royal symbols.

The drawing proposed by the commission was approved by the Provisional Government. The new coat of arms was in use throughout almost the entire territory of the former empire until the adoption of the Constitution of the RSFSR in 1918. From that moment until 1991, completely different symbols fluttered over 1/6 of the land...

In 1993, by presidential decree, the double-headed eagle again became the main state symbol of Russia. In 2000, parliament adopted a corresponding law regarding the coat of arms, in which its appearance was clarified.

February 12th, 2013

The word coat of arms comes from the German word erbe, which means inheritance. A coat of arms is a symbolic image that shows the historical traditions of a state or city.

Coats of arms appeared a very long time ago. The predecessors of coats of arms can be considered the totems of primitive tribes. Coastal tribes had figurines of dolphins and turtles as totems; steppe tribes had snakes; forest tribes had bears, deer, and wolves. A special role was played by the signs of the Sun, Moon, and water.

The Double-Headed Eagle is one of the oldest heraldic figures. There is still a lot of uncertainty about the appearance of the double-headed eagle as a symbol. It is known, for example, that he was depicted in the Hittite state, a rival of Egypt, which existed in Asia Minor in the second millennium BC. In the 6th century BC. e., as archaeologists testify, the image of a double-headed eagle can be traced in Media, east of the former Hittite kingdom.

From the end of the 14th century. The golden double-headed Eagle, looking to the West and East, placed on a red field, becomes the state symbol of the Byzantine Empire. He personified the unity of Europe and Asia, divinity, greatness and power, as well as victory, courage, faith. Allegorically, the ancient image of a two-headed bird could mean a still-waking guardian who sees everything in both the east and the west. The golden color, meaning wealth, prosperity and eternity, in the latter meaning is still used in icon painting.

There are many myths and scientific hypotheses about the reasons for the appearance of the double-headed eagle in Russia. According to one hypothesis, the main state symbol of the Byzantine Empire - the double-headed Eagle - appeared in Rus' more than 500 years ago in 1472, after the marriage of the Grand Duke of Moscow John III Vasilyevich, who completed the unification of the Russian lands around Moscow, and the Byzantine princess Sophia (Zoe) Paleologue - nieces of the last Emperor of Constantinople, Constantine XI Palaiologos-Dragas.

The reign of Grand Duke Ivan III (1462-1505) was the most important stage in the formation of a unified Russian state. Ivan III managed to finally eliminate dependence on the Golden Horde, repelling the campaign of Khan Akhmat against Moscow in 1480. The Grand Duchy of Moscow included Yaroslavl, Novgorod, Tver, and Perm lands. The country began to actively develop ties with other European countries, and its foreign policy position strengthened. In 1497, the all-Russian Code of Law was adopted - a unified set of laws of the country.

It was at this time - the time of successful construction of Russian statehood.

Double-headed eagle of the Byzantine Empire, ca. XV century

Nevertheless, the opportunity to become equal with all European sovereigns prompted Ivan III to adopt this coat of arms as the heraldic symbol of his state. Having transformed from the Grand Duke into the Tsar of Moscow and taking a new coat of arms for his state - the Double-Headed Eagle, Ivan III in 1472 placed Caesar's crowns on both heads, at the same time a shield with the image of the icon of St. George the Victorious appeared on the eagle's chest. In 1480, the Tsar of Moscow became Autocrat, i.e. independent and self-sufficient. This circumstance is reflected in the modification of the Eagle; a sword and an Orthodox cross appear in its paws.

The twinning of dynasties not only symbolized the continuity of power of the Moscow princes from Byzantium, but also put them on a par with European sovereigns. The combination of the coat of arms of Byzantium and the more ancient coat of arms of Moscow formed a new coat of arms, which became a symbol of the Russian state. However, this did not happen immediately. Sophia Paleologus, who ascended the Moscow grand-ducal throne, brought with her not a golden Eagle - the emblem of the Empire, but a black one, signifying the family coat of arms of the dynasty.

This eagle had not an imperial crown over its heads, but only a Caesar’s crown and did not hold any attributes in its paws. The eagle was woven in black silk on a gold banner, which was carried at the head of the wedding train. And only in 1480 after the “Standing on the Ugra”, which marked the end of the 240-year Mongol-Tatar yoke, when John III became autocrat and sovereign of “all Rus'” (in a number of documents he is already called “tsar” - from the Byzantine “Caesar” ), the former Byzantine golden double-headed eagle acquires the significance of a Russian state symbol.

The Eagle's head is crowned with the autocratic cap of Monomakh; he takes into his paws a cross (not a four-pointed Byzantine one, but an eight-pointed one - Russian) as a symbol of Orthodoxy, and a sword, as a symbol of the ongoing struggle for the independence of the Russian state, which only the grandson of John III, John IV, manages to complete ( Grozny).

On the Eagle's chest is an image of St. George, who was revered in Rus' as the patron saint of warriors, farmers and the entire Russian land. The image of the Heavenly Warrior on a white horse, striking the Serpent with a spear, was placed on the grand ducal seals, banners (banners) of princely squads, on the helmets and shields of Russian soldiers, coins and seal rings - insignia of military leaders. Since ancient times, the image of St. George has adorned the coat of arms of Moscow, because St. George himself has been considered the patron saint of the city since the time of Dmitry Donskoy.

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Liberation from the Tatar-Mongol yoke (1480) was marked by the appearance of the now Russian double-headed eagle on the spire of the Spasskaya Tower of the Moscow Kremlin. A symbol that personifies the supreme power of the sovereign-autocrat and the idea of ​​unifying the Russian lands.

Double-headed eagles found in coats of arms are not that uncommon. Since the 13th century, they appear in the coats of arms of the counts of Savoy and Würzburg, on Bavarian coins, and are known in the heraldry of the knights of Holland and the Balkan countries. At the beginning of the 15th century, Emperor Sigismund I made the double-headed eagle the coat of arms of the Holy Roman (later German) Empire. The eagle was depicted black on a gold shield with gold beaks and claws. The Eagle's heads were surrounded by halos.

Thus, an understanding of the image of the double-headed Eagle as a symbol of a single state, consisting of several equal parts, was formed. After the collapse of the empire in 1806, the double-headed eagle became the coat of arms of Austria (until 1919). Both Serbia and Albania have it in their coats of arms. It is also in the coats of arms of the descendants of the Greek emperors.

How did he appear in Byzantium? In 326, the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great adopted the double-headed eagle as his symbol. In 330, he moved the capital of the empire to Constantinople, and from that time on, the double-headed eagle was the state emblem. The empire splits into western and eastern, and the double-headed eagle becomes the coat of arms of Byzantium.

The collapsed Byzantine Empire makes the Russian Eagle the successor of the Byzantine one and the son of Ivan III, Vasily III (1505-1533) places one common autocratic Monomakh's Cap on both heads of the Eagle. After the death of Vasily III, because his heir Ivan IV, who later received the name Grozny, was still small, the regency of his mother Elena Glinskaya (1533-1538) began, and the actual autocracy of the boyars Shuisky, Belsky (1538-1548) began. And here the Russian Eagle undergoes a very comic modification.

It should be noted that the year of the creation of the State Emblem of Russia is considered to be 1497, despite its quarter-century distance from the marriage of Ivan III and Sophia Paleologus. This year dates back to the letter of grant from Ivan III Vasilyevich to his nephews, the Volotsk princes Fyodor and Ivan Borisovich, in the Buigorod and Kolp volosts in the Volotsk and Tver districts.

The diploma was sealed with a double-sided hanging red wax seal of the Grand Duke, which was perfectly preserved and has survived to this day. On the front side of the seal there is a picture of a horseman slaying a serpent with a spear and a circular inscription (legend) “John by the grace of God, the ruler of all Rus' and the great prince”; on the reverse there is a double-headed Eagle with outstretched wings and crowns on their heads, a circular inscription listing its possessions.

Seal of Ivan III Vasilyevich, front and back, late 15th century.

One of the first to draw attention to this seal was the famous Russian historian and writer N.M. Karamzin. The seal differed from previous princely seals, and most importantly, for the first time (from the material sources that have come down to us) it demonstrated the “reunion” of the images of the double-headed Eagle and St. George. Of course, it can be assumed that similar seals were used to seal letters earlier than 1497, but there is no evidence for this. In any case, many historical studies of the last century agreed on this date, and the 400th anniversary of the Russian coat of arms in 1897 was celebrated very solemnly.

Ivan IV turns 16 years old, and he is crowned king and immediately the Eagle undergoes a very significant change, as if personifying the entire era of the reign of Ivan the Terrible (1548-1574, 1576-1584). But during the reign of Ivan the Terrible there was a period when he renounced the Kingdom and retired to a monastery, handing over the reins of power to Semyon Bekbulatovich Kasimovsky (1574-1576), and in fact to the boyars. And the Eagle reacted to the events taking place with another change.

The return of Ivan the Terrible to the throne causes the appearance of a new Eagle, the heads of which are crowned with one, common crown of a clearly Western design. But that’s not all, on the Eagle’s chest, instead of the icon of St. George the Victorious, an image of a Unicorn appears. Why? One can only guess about this. True, in fairness it should be noted that this Eagle was quickly canceled by Ivan the Terrible.

Ivan the Terrible dies and the weak, limited Tsar Fyodor Ivanovich “Blessed” (1584-1587) reigns on the throne. And again the Eagle changes its appearance. During the reign of Tsar Fyodor Ivanovich, between the crowned heads of the double-headed eagle, the sign of the passion of Christ appears: the so-called Calvary cross. The cross on the state seal was a symbol of Orthodoxy, giving a religious connotation to the state emblem. The appearance of the “Golgotha ​​cross” in the coat of arms of Russia coincides with the establishment of the patriarchate and ecclesiastical independence of Russia in 1589. Another coat of arms of Fyodor Ivanovich is also known, which is somewhat different from the above.

In the 17th century, the Orthodox cross was often depicted on Russian banners. The banners of foreign regiments that were part of the Russian army had their own emblems and inscriptions; however, an Orthodox cross was also placed on them, which indicated that the regiment fighting under this banner served the Orthodox sovereign. Until the middle of the 17th century, a seal was widely used, in which a double-headed eagle with a rider on its chest is crowned with two crowns, and an Orthodox eight-pointed cross rises between the heads of the eagle.

Boris Godunov (1587-1605), who replaced Fyodor Ivanovich, could be the founder of a new dynasty. His occupation of the throne was completely legal, but popular rumor did not want to see him as a legitimate Tsar, considering him a regicide. And Orel reflects this public opinion.

The enemies of Rus' took advantage of the troubles and the appearance of False Dmitry (1605-1606) in these conditions was quite natural, as was the appearance of a new Eagle. It must be said that some seals depicted a different, clearly not Russian Eagle. Here events also left their mark on Orel and in connection with the Polish occupation, Orel becomes very similar to Polish, differing, perhaps, in having two heads.

The shaky attempt to establish a new dynasty in the person of Vasily Shuisky (1606-1610), the painters from the official hut reflected in Orel, deprived of all the attributes of sovereignty, and as if in mockery, from the place where the heads are fused, either a flower or a cone will grow. Russian history says very little about Tsar Vladislav I Sigismundovich (1610-1612); however, he was not crowned in Rus', but he issued decrees, his image was minted on coins, and the Russian State Eagle had its own forms with him. Moreover, for the first time the Scepter appears in the Eagle’s paw. The short and essentially fictitious reign of this king actually put an end to the Troubles.

The Time of Troubles ended, Russia repelled the claims to the throne of the Polish and Swedish dynasties. Numerous impostors were defeated, and the uprisings that flared in the country were suppressed. Since 1613, by decision of the Zemsky Sobor, the Romanov dynasty began to rule in Russia. Under the first king of this dynasty - Mikhail Fedorovich (1613-1645), popularly nicknamed "The Quiet" - the State Emblem changes somewhat. In 1625, for the first time, a double-headed eagle was depicted under three crowns; St. George the Victorious returned on the chest, but no longer in the form of an icon, in the form of a shield. Also, in icons, St. George the Victorious always galloped from left to right, i.e. from west to east towards the eternal enemies - the Mongol-Tatars. Now the enemy was in the west, the Polish gangs and the Roman Curia did not abandon their hopes of bringing Rus' to the Catholic faith.

In 1645, under the son of Mikhail Fedorovich - Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich - the first Great State Seal appeared, on which a double-headed eagle with a rider on his chest was crowned with three crowns. From that time on, this type of image was constantly used.

The next stage of changing the State Emblem came after the Pereyaslav Rada, the entry of Ukraine into the Russian state. At the celebrations on this occasion, a new, unprecedented three-headed Eagle appears, which was supposed to symbolize the new title of the Russian Tsar: “Tsar, Sovereign and Autocrat of All Great and Small and White Rus'.”

A seal was attached to the charter of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich Bogdan Khmelnitsky and his descendants for the city of Gadyach dated March 27, 1654, on which for the first time a double-headed eagle under three crowns is depicted holding symbols of power in its claws: a scepter and an orb.

In contrast to the Byzantine model and, perhaps, under the influence of the coat of arms of the Holy Roman Empire, the double-headed eagle, starting in 1654, began to be depicted with raised wings.

In 1654, a forged double-headed eagle was installed on the spire of the Spasskaya Tower of the Moscow Kremlin.

In 1663, for the first time in Russian history, the Bible, the main book of Christianity, came out of the printing press in Moscow. It is no coincidence that it depicted the State Emblem of Russia and gave a poetic “explanation” of it:

The eastern eagle shines with three crowns,
Shows faith, hope, love for God,
Krile stretches out, embraces all the worlds of the end,
North, south, from the east all the way to the west of the sun
With outstretched wings it covers goodness.

In 1667, after a long war between Russia and Poland over Ukraine, the Truce of Andrusovo was concluded. To seal this agreement, a Great Seal was made with a double-headed eagle under three crowns, with a shield with a rider on the chest, with a scepter and an orb in its paws.

In the same year, the first in the history of Russia Decree of December 14 “On the royal title and on the state seal” appeared, which contained the official description of the coat of arms: “The double-headed eagle is the coat of arms of the Great Sovereign, Tsar and Grand Duke Alexei Mikhailovich of all Great and Lesser and White Russia's 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 chest (chest) there is an image of the heir; in the grooves (claws) there is a scepter and an apple, and reveals the most merciful Sovereign, His Royal Majesty the Autocrat and Possessor.”

Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich dies and the short and unremarkable reign of his son Fyodor Alekseevich (1676-1682) begins. The three-headed Eagle is replaced by the old two-headed Eagle and at the same time does not reflect anything new. After a short struggle with the boyars’ choice for the kingdom of the young Peter, under the regency of his mother Natalya Kirillovna, a second king, the weak and limited John, was elevated to the throne. And behind the double royal throne stands Princess Sophia (1682-1689). The actual reign of Sophia brought into existence a new Eagle. However, he did not last long. After a new outbreak of unrest - the Streletsky revolt - a new Eagle appears. Moreover, the old Eagle does not disappear and both of them exist for some time in parallel.

In the end, Sophia, having suffered defeat, goes to a monastery, and in 1696 Tsar John V also dies, the throne goes solely to Peter I Alekseevich “The Great” (1689-1725).

And almost immediately the State Emblem dramatically changes its shape. The era of great transformations begins. The capital is moved to St. Petersburg and Oryol takes on new attributes. Crowns appear on the heads under one common larger one, and on the chest there is an order chain of the Order of St. Apostle Andrew the First-Called. This order, approved by Peter in 1798, became the first in the system of highest state awards in Russia. The Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called, one of the heavenly patrons of Peter Alekseevich, was declared the patron saint of Russia.

The blue oblique St. Andrew's Cross becomes the main element of the insignia of the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called and the symbol of the Russian Navy. Since 1699, there have been images of a double-headed eagle surrounded by a chain with the sign of the Order of St. Andrew. And next year the Order of St. Andrew is placed on the eagle, around a shield with a rider.

From the first quarter of the 18th century, the colors of the double-headed eagle became brown (natural) or black.

It is also important to say about another Eagle, which Peter painted as a very young boy for the banner of the Amusing Regiment. This Eagle had only one paw, for: “Whoever has only one land army has one hand, but whoever has a fleet has two hands.”

During the short reign of Catherine I (1725-1727), the Eagle again changed its forms, the ironic nickname “Marsh Queen” was everywhere and, accordingly, the Eagle simply could not help but change. However, this Eagle lasted for a very short period of time. Menshikov, paying attention to it, ordered it to be removed from use, and by the day of the coronation of the Empress, a new Eagle appeared. By decree of Empress Catherine I of March 11, 1726, the description of the coat of arms was fixed: “A black eagle with outstretched wings, in a yellow field, with a rider on it in a red field.”

Under Empress Catherine I, the color scheme of the coat of arms was finally established - black Eagle on a gold (yellow) field, white (silver) Horseman on a red field.

State Banner of Russia, 1882 (Reconstruction by R.I. Malanichev)

After the death of Catherine I during the short reign of Peter II (1727-1730), the grandson of Peter I, Orel remained virtually unchanged.

However, the reign of Anna Ioannovna (1730-1740) and Ivan VI (1740-1741), the great-grandson of Peter I, did not cause practically any change in the Eagle, with the exception of the body being exorbitantly elongated upward. However, the accession to the throne of Empress Elizabeth (1740-1761) entailed a radical change in the Eagle. Nothing remains of the imperial power, and St. George the Victorious is replaced by a cross (besides, not an Orthodox one). The humiliating period of Russia added the humiliating Eagle.

Orel did not react in any way to the very short and extremely offensive reign of Peter III (1761-1762) for the Russian people. In 1762, Catherine II “The Great” (1762-1796) ascended the throne and the Eagle changed, acquiring powerful and grandiose forms. In the coinage of this reign there were many arbitrary forms of the coat of arms. The most interesting form is the Eagle, which appeared during the time of Pugachev with a huge and not entirely familiar crown.

The Eagle of Emperor Paul I (1796-1801) appeared long before the death of Catherine II, as if in contrast to her Eagle, to distinguish the Gatchina battalions from the entire Russian Army, to be worn on buttons, badges and headdresses. Finally, he appears on the standard of the crown prince himself. This Eagle is created by Paul himself.

During the short reign of Emperor Paul I (1796-1801), Russia pursued an active foreign policy, faced with a new enemy - Napoleonic France. After French troops occupied the Mediterranean island of Malta, Paul I took the Order of Malta under his protection, becoming the Grand Master of the Order. On August 10, 1799, Paul I signed a Decree on the inclusion of the Maltese cross and crown in the state emblem. On the eagle’s chest, under the Maltese crown, there was a shield with St. George (Paul interpreted it as the “indigenous coat of arms of Russia”), superimposed on the Maltese cross.

Paul I made an attempt to introduce the full coat of arms of the Russian Empire. On December 16, 1800, he signed the Manifesto, which described this complex project. Forty-three coats of arms were placed in the multi-field shield and on nine small shields. In the center was the above-described coat of arms in the form of a double-headed eagle with a Maltese cross, larger than the others. The shield with coats of arms is superimposed on the Maltese cross, and under it the sign of the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called again appears. The shield holders, the archangels Michael and Gabriel, support the imperial crown over the knight's helmet and mantle (cloak). The entire composition is placed against the background of a canopy with a dome - a heraldic symbol of sovereignty. From behind the shield with coats of arms emerge two standards with a double-headed and a single-headed eagles. This project has not been finalized.

As a result of the conspiracy, on March 11, 1801, Paul fell at the hands of the palace regicides. The young Emperor Alexander I “The Blessed” (1801-1825) ascends the throne. By the day of his coronation, a new Eagle appears, without the Maltese emblems, but, in fact, this Eagle is quite close to the old one. The victory over Napoleon and almost complete control over all processes in Europe causes the emergence of a new Eagle. He had one crown, the eagle’s wings were depicted lowered (straightened), and in his paws were not the traditional scepter and orb, but a wreath, lightning bolts (peruns) and a torch.

In 1825, Alexander I (according to the official version) dies in Taganrog and Emperor Nicholas I (1825-1855), strong-willed and aware of his duty to Russia, ascends the throne. Nicholas contributed to a powerful, spiritual and cultural revival of Russia. This revealed a new Eagle, which changed somewhat over time, but still carried the same strict forms.

In 1855-1857, during the heraldic reform, which was carried out under the leadership of Baron B. Kene, the type of state eagle was changed under the influence of German designs. The drawing of the Small Coat of Arms of Russia, executed by Alexander Fadeev, was approved by the highest on December 8, 1856. This version of the coat of arms differed from the previous ones not only in the image of an eagle, but also in the number of “title” coats of arms on the wings. On the right were shields with the coats of arms of Kazan, Poland, Tauride Chersonese and the combined coat of arms of the Grand Duchies (Kyiv, Vladimir, Novgorod), on the left were shields with the coats of arms of Astrakhan, Siberia, Georgia, Finland.

On April 11, 1857, the Supreme approval of the entire set of state emblems followed. It included: Big, Middle and Small, coats of arms of members of the imperial family, as well as “titular” coats of arms. At the same time, drawings of the Large, Middle and Small state seals, arks (cases) for seals, as well as seals of the main and lower official places and persons were approved. In total, one hundred and ten drawings lithographed by A. Beggrov were approved in one act. On May 31, 1857, the Senate published a Decree describing the new coats of arms and the rules for their use.

Another Eagle of Emperor Alexander II (1855-1881) is also known, where the shine of gold returns to the Eagle. The scepter and orb are replaced by a torch and a wreath. During the reign, the wreath and torch are replaced several times by the scepter and orb and return several times.

On July 24, 1882, Emperor Alexander III in Peterhof approved the drawing of the Great Coat of Arms of the Russian Empire, on which the composition was preserved, but the details were changed, in particular the figures of the archangels. In addition, imperial crowns began to be depicted like real diamond crowns used at coronations.

The large Russian state emblem, Supremely approved on November 3, 1882, contains a black double-headed eagle in a golden shield, crowned with two imperial crowns, above which is the same, but in a larger form, crown, with two fluttering ends of the ribbon of the Order of St. Andrew. The state eagle holds a golden scepter and orb. On the eagle's chest is the coat of arms of Moscow. The shield is topped with the helmet of the Holy Grand Duke Alexander Nevsky. Black and gold mantle. Around the shield is a chain of the Order of St. Apostle Andrew the First-Called; On the sides there are images of Saints Archangel Michael and Archangel Gabriel. The canopy is golden, crowned with the imperial crown, dotted with Russian eagles and lined with ermine. On it is a scarlet inscription: God is with us! Above the canopy is a state banner with an eight-pointed cross on the pole.

On February 23, 1883, the Middle and two versions of the Small coat of arms were approved. In January 1895, the highest order was given to leave unchanged the drawing of the state eagle made by academician A. Charlemagne.

The latest act - “Basic provisions of the state structure of the Russian Empire” of 1906 - confirmed all previous legal provisions relating to the State Emblem, but with all its strict contours it is the most elegant.

With minor changes introduced in 1882 by Alexander III, the coat of arms of Russia existed until 1917.

The Commission of the Provisional Government came to the conclusion that the double-headed eagle itself does not carry any monarchical or dynastic characteristics, therefore, deprived of a crown, scepter, orb, coats of arms of kingdoms, lands and all other heraldic attributes, it was “left in service.”

The Bolsheviks had a completely different opinion. By decree of the Council of People's Commissars of November 10, 1917, along with estates, ranks, titles and old regime orders, the coat of arms and flag were abolished. But making the decision turned out to be easier than implementing it. State bodies continued to exist and function, so for another six months the old coat of arms was used where necessary, on signs indicating government bodies and in documents.

The new coat of arms of Russia was adopted along with the new constitution in July 1918. Initially, the ears of corn were not crowned with a five-pointed star; it was introduced a few years later as a symbol of the unity of the proletariat of the five continents of the planet.

It seemed that the double-headed eagle had been finally retired, but as if doubting this, the authorities were in no hurry to remove the eagles from the towers of the Moscow Kremlin. This happened only in 1935, when the Politburo of the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks decided to replace the previous symbols with ruby ​​stars.

In 1990, the Government of the RSFSR adopted a resolution on the creation of the State Emblem and State Flag of the RSFSR. After a comprehensive discussion, the Government Commission proposed to recommend to the Government a coat of arms - a golden double-headed eagle on a red field.

The eagles were removed from the Kremlin towers in 1935. The revival of the Russian Eagle became possible after the collapse of the USSR and with the return of true statehood to Russia, although the development of state symbols of the Russian Federation had been going on since the spring of 1991, during the existence of the USSR.
Moreover, there were three approaches to this issue from the very beginning: the first was to improve the Soviet symbolism, which was alien to Russia but had become familiar; the second is the adoption of fundamentally new, without ideology, symbols of statehood (birch leaf, swan, etc.); and finally, the third is the restoration of historical traditions. The image of the double-headed Eagle with all its traditional attributes of state power was taken as the basis.

However, the symbolism of the coat of arms has been rethought and received a modern interpretation, more in line with the spirit of the times and democratic changes in the country. In the modern meaning, the crowns on the State Emblem of the Russian Federation can be considered in the same way as symbols of the three branches of government - executive, representative and judicial. In any case, they should not be identified with symbols of empire and monarchy. The scepter (originally as a striking weapon - a mace, the pole - a symbol of military leaders) can be interpreted as a symbol of the protection of sovereignty, a power - symbolizes the unity, integrity and legal nature of the state.

The Byzantine Empire was a Eurasian power; Greeks, Armenians, Slavs, and other peoples lived in it. The eagle in her coat of arms with heads looking to the West and the East symbolized, among other things, the unity of these two principles. This is also true for Russia, which has always been a multinational country, uniting the peoples of Europe and Asia under one coat of arms. The sovereign eagle of Russia is not only a symbol of its statehood, but also a symbol of our ancient roots and thousand-year history.

Back at the end of 1990, the Government of the RSFSR adopted a Resolution on the creation of the State Emblem and State Flag of the RSFSR. Many specialists were involved in the preparation of proposals on this issue. In the spring of 1991, officials came to the conclusion that the State Emblem of the RSFSR should be a golden double-headed Eagle on a red field, and the State Flag should be a white-blue-red flag.

In December 1991, the Government of the RSFSR at its meeting reviewed the proposed versions of the coat of arms, and the approved projects were sent for revision. Created in February 1992, the State Heraldic Service of the Russian Federation (since July 1994 - State Heraldry under the President of the Russian Federation) headed by the Deputy Director of the State Hermitage for Scientific Work (State Master of Arms) G.V. Vilinbakhov had one of her tasks to participate in the development of state symbols.

The final version of the State Emblem of the Russian Federation was approved by the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of November 30, 1993. The author of the sketch of the coat of arms is artist E.I. Ukhnalev.

The restoration of the centuries-old historical symbol of our Fatherland - the Double-Headed Eagle - can only be welcomed. However, a very important point should be taken into account - the existence of the restored and legalized coat of arms in the form in which we now see it everywhere imposes considerable responsibility on the state.

A.G. writes about this in his recently published book “The Origins of Russian Heraldry”. Silaev. In his book, the author, based on a painstaking study of historical materials, very interestingly and widely reveals the very essence of the origin of the image of the Double-Headed Eagle, its basis - mythological, religious, political.

In particular, we are talking about the artistic embodiment of the current coat of arms of the Russian Federation. Yes, indeed, many specialists and artists were involved in the work on creating (or recreating) the coat of arms of the new Russia. A large number of beautifully executed projects were proposed, but for some reason the choice fell on a sketch made by a person who was actually far from heraldry. How else can we explain the fact that the current depiction of the double-headed eagle contains a number of annoying flaws and inaccuracies that are noticeable to any professional artist.

Have you ever seen narrow-eyed eagles in nature? What about parrot beaks? Alas, the image of a double-headed eagle is not decorated with very thin legs and sparse plumage. As for the description of the coat of arms, unfortunately, from the point of view of the rules of heraldry, it remains inaccurate and superficial. And all this is present in the State Emblem of Russia! Where, after all, is the respect for one’s national symbols and one’s own history?! Was it really so difficult to more carefully study the heraldic images of the predecessors of the modern eagle - ancient Russian coats of arms? After all, this is a wealth of historical material!

The original article is on the website InfoGlaz.rf Link to the article from which this copy was made -