State symbols are the visiting card of each country, giving an idea of state values, priorities and policies. The three main attributes of symbolism are the coat of arms, the anthem and the flag. In addition, many countries also have a symbol of an animal, bird or plant. What symbols of Russia exist now? How did they come about and what do they mean?
Flag
It is now impossible to imagine a country without a flag. However, this was not always the case. In Russia, the first flag appeared only at the end of the 17th century, when our first military Russian ship, the Eagle, went to sea. Imitating the strong maritime powers, whose ships had long sailed under the state flags, Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich ordered the banner to be raised on the Russian ship as well. According to some historians, the first flag of Russia was white-blue-red, similar to the current one, only with a golden double-headed eagle. Later it was proposed to replace the blue and red stripes with black and yellow or orange. But the proposal was rejected, because in the colors of the flagoriginal symbols of Russia were reflected. In the pictures, it seemed like this - white snow covering most of Russia in winter, blue and red - the colors of the clothes of Russian men and women on a holiday. This type of flag was canceled only in 1918, and in 1993 it was restored again by Yeltsin's decree. Now its white color means peace and freedom, blue - stability, and red - the fatherland, the power of the state and the blood shed for the country.
Coat of arms
Besides the flag, other symbols of Russia are very significant. The photo of the coat of arms, approved in 2000, shows a golden double-headed eagle with spread wings and three crowns with a ribbon. In his paws he has a scepter and orb, on his chest the coat of arms of Moscow. The eagle is depicted against the background of a red French shield. This picture can be deciphered in such a way that Russia is patronized by the Holy Trinity. The Russian state does not threaten anyone and cares only about the inviolability of its lands. All intentions of Russia are pure and directed against universal evil. The country is obedient to the law and adheres to justice. The modern emblem was created on the basis of the old one, donated to Tsar Ivan III Vasilyevich by the Pope in 1452. The gift was timed to coincide with the marriage of the Russian tsar to the Byzantine princess Sophia. Then the coat of arms symbolized independence. Two eagle heads meant power over the east and west of the empire, and crowns stood for double power.
Anthem
Some foreign ideologues, unkind to Russia, believe that onlyThe bear is the symbol of our country. But one of our main symbols - the national anthem - proudly sounds at official ceremonies, during the awarding of our athletes at the Olympics and on many other occasions. Its text and music are based on the anthem of the Soviet Union. The very first Russian anthem appeared back in 1816. Prior to this, all celebrations were accompanied by church hymns. The text of the first anthem was the poem "Prayer of the Russians", written by Vasily Zhukovsky. Later, Alexey Lvov composed the second anthem, widely known as "God Save the Tsar". In the turbulent 1917, the provisional government replaced it with the French Marseillaise. The revolutionaries made the Internationale their anthem. The text has since been changed twice. The modern anthem of Russia was approved by the president in the last days of 2000 and sounded on New Year's holiday.
The bear is a symbol of strength and courage
The anthem, coat of arms and flag are the most important symbols of Russia. The bear was chosen as the animal symbol of our country. This was not done by chance, because the clubfoot in the Russian open spaces has always been considered the king of the forest. Much later, from the southern countries, the fashion came to call the lion the king of animals. Our brown bear looks like a clumsy lump, capable of only roaring and ruining the hives. In fact, this is an intelligent beast, which has no equal in strength in the northern latitudes. No wonder the ancient Russians revered the bear. They made multiple totems in the form of a bear and believed that such a talisman would definitely protect them from enemies and give them strength in battle. In Russiaand other northern countries there was a cult of the bear. The hunters sought not only to enlist the help of the forest lord, but also to connect his spirit with their own. For them, it was the bear that personified strength, courage and nobility. The symbol of the beast also became the protector of the whole family.
Fictitious myths about Russia and its bears
Curious facts in their history have all the symbols of Russia. The bear, for example, according to some foreign historians, has become our symbol solely because of the backwardness and stupidity of the Russians. In the XIV-XVI centuries, in the developed European countries, Russia (Muscovy, as they said then) seemed like a wild country where only barbarians live. The work of the famous Austrian ambassador and diplomat Herberstein "Notes on Moscow Affairs" contributed a lot to this. In this essay, he wrote about the fact that in Russia bears walk right along the streets, break into houses and force people to flee. It is possible that some such cases took place, since the Notes told about the unusually frosty and hungry year of 1526. Then the animals driven by hunger could appear in the cities in order to find food. However, many Zapiski scribes presented these isolated cases as a common occurrence throughout the country, firmly reinforcing a negative image of Russia among readers.
Rehabilitation of the Russian bear
Foreign public calmly accepted the main symbols of Russia. The bear, on the other hand, remained for a long time as a standard of rudeness and backwardness of Russians. Evennow, especially in England, the image of Russia is associated with a clumsy forest animal in order to emphasize the negative attitude towards the country. At the same time, the clubfoot bear has long been rehabilitated. A significant role in this was played by circus performances in which bears demonstrated their intelligence and outstanding abilities. It is worth noting that not all foreigners associated the Russian bear with sluggishness and cruelty. So, Frederick II, the Prussian king, at one time warned not to wake up a sleeping Russian bear. He meant that the Russian people, like Toptygin, are good-natured and harmless until you offend them. If, God forbid, this happens, he turns into an aggressive and powerful defender of his interests.
The bear is a symbol not only of Russia
The bear is a symbol not only of Russia. It is depicted on the emblems of Berlin, Bern, Lithuanian Samogitia, and many Russian cities. His image was placed on their coats of arms by knights and nobles. Thanks to the bear, the city was named Bern. And the Celtic bear (arktos) served as the name of a vast territory - the Arctic.
The bear is even on the coat of arms of the Pope! Such an honor was given to the wild beast thanks to the legend of Saint Korbinian. According to its text, when Corbinian was traveling to Rome, a bear jumped out on the road and killed the saint's horse. As punishment, Korbinian ordered the beast to accompany him to Rome instead of the slain animal. The bear complied. The meaning of the symbol on the coat of arms of the pontiff is the victory of Christianity over paganism. That's how many different interpretations the bear, the symbol of Russia, has. Pictures of this beast depict him in different poses or even justpart - half of the body or one head. But its meaning remains the same - power, courage, courage.
Olympic bear
The whole world still remembers the cute teddy bear that became the symbol of the Moscow Olympics in 1980. Some countries hated or feared the Soviet Union so much that they refused to compete at all. The image of a smiling kind bear in many ways helped foreigners feel confident in a territory alien to them and change their attitude towards the Soviet people. After the Olympics, the bear became associated with peace, goodness and justice, because everything was fair at the competitions. Of course, this historical fact is not the reason why the bear is a symbol of Russia, but he made a small contribution to his choice. Russia is often associated with Moscow. The touching bear - the symbol of the famous Moscow Olympics, which many Western ideologists gave political overtones, no doubt, remained in the memory of people from different countries. He seems to say, they say, look, Russia is not at all dangerous, but open to friends and hospitable.
The bear is a symbol of Russian lands
As already noted, all the symbols of Russia have their own history and importance. The bear, in addition, is a symbol or is depicted on the emblems of many Russian cities. In Perm, a monument was even erected to him. As the creators joke, so that foreigners do not doubt, bears really walk the streets of Russia. And in Norilsk, the bear is not only depicted on the coat of arms with the key to the city in its paws, but has also become a living symbolcities in the form of a small bear cub. The bear is also depicted on the emblems of Khabarovsk, Yekaterinburg, Syktyvkar, Yaroslavl and other Russian cities, because this beast is loved and revered. And also because the bear is strength, courage and protection.
