Heraldry has long been a whole cultural and historical phenomenon.Emerged as an attribute of chivalry and nobility, today it is deposited in the city and state symbols.
What is heraldry?Firstly, it is a historical discipline that studies the logo.Secondly, it is the phenomenon photographed images, which appeared in the Middle Ages.
Limbo emblems
To understand what heraldry, is to find out when she appeared.Identification marks on uniforms originated during the heyday of chivalry in the XII century between the First and Second Crusade.Nobles began to acquire them for their own identity on the battlefield.
the XIII century their characters appeared in cities, religious orders, the bourgeoisie.An important contribution to the spread of a new phenomenon made jousting tournaments.
Heraldry in Russia
Russian heraldry is considered borrowed Western European tradition.In Russia could appear emblems in the conventional sense of the word, as originally this art emerged as a part of the culture of chivalry, missing Slavs.Nevertheless, even before its European Slavic clans and tribes had their own characters, played by pagan totems.
With the adoption of Orthodoxy in Russia is frequently used as a distinguishing mark of double-headed eagle, taken over from Byzantium.In addition, the common symbol became a Christian cross.
In the middle of the XVII century Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, wanting to make the pedigree of the Russian princes, sought the help of the Austrian King of Arms Lawrence Hurelevichu.Importance was "Royal titulyarnik" compiled in 1672 the national diplomatic office.He has compiled a lot of disparate emblems of various Russian lands into one coherent picture.Heraldry Russia owes much valuable information from this work.
Under Peter I began to acquire their own coats of arms and noble houses."General quarreled Russian Empire", composed in 1797, included more than 3,000 generic characters.
after the 1917 revolution heraldry of Russia became an auxiliary historical discipline.Nowadays, it awakens an active interest in the masses.In 1999, the Presidential Heraldic Council was founded.
Elements Emblem
Conditional distinctive sign has a dozen items.This shield, supporters, outline, torse, and so on. D.
His entourage largely determines the motto.Traditionally, common inscription in Latin.Thus, the motto of Lermontov was the phrase «Sors mea Jesus» («The draw my Jesus").With the help of these phrases stands for character, which kind of attributes to himself, the city and so on. D. This is another phenomenon that allows to answer the question about what is the heraldry.
heraldic shield
main element of any emblem - shield.That he has a certain set of figures.Separate explanations requires diversity of boards.They are divided along ethnic lines.
In the Middle Ages the image follows the shape of the shield defensive knightly equipment.However, with the disappearance of chivalry as an important factor of combat shields image began to receive more improbable shape.
most common form - French (rectangular shield with a pointed base).In the Russian tradition, as in many others, "French" concept has become the most common.
It is worth noting also the Varangian (triangular), Spanish (rectangular with round base), English (inverted arch chapter triangle) and German (shaped) shield.
Tincture
material with which a shield is applied to the image, directly related to the color palette of the future character.No distinctive sign can not be understood apart from its color.Often two such webs may have the same picture, but at the same time, different in color, radically changes the meaning, which carries the composition.Therefore, it is safe to so answer the question of what is the heraldry: that visual arts.Coatings and paints stamp bodies have their own term - tincture.
Enamel
before committing itself to the color inherent emblemovedeniyu should list the materials with which the image is applied.A total of three.No description of each of them can not be presented "heraldry".
enamel - coatings that contain powder and a vitreous enamel.In addition, when creating the topsheet aristocratic "label" as a base plate used copper.Enamel were most common in medieval France, where moved to Russia.In our country today, there are many schools who have the same name applied arts (Vologda, Rostov, and so on. D.).For enamels characterized by five colors.
red (or scarlet) color signifies courage, bravery and fearlessness.It creates by mixing mineral cinnabar and minium.Red tone - one of those that can boast of any national heraldry.Red Flags are among the most common.
Blue (or azure) color is used to highlight the beauty, majesty and softness.Azure consists of pigment ultramarine and cobalt metal.
Black equated with humility, wisdom and sadness.To make the coating of black color is often used before Burnt ivory.
Green - a symbol of abundance, hope and joy.Interestingly, to give the image of shades of green vegetable used natural herbs and chromium.
Purple color is a sign of not only the strength and power, but also dignity.Use less of the other four colors.Purple - a mixture of red dye and lacquer carmine pink hue.
If the previous paint are considered canonical, the use of other palettes rarer.It is not often you can find enamel orange, crimson, blood, brown, gray and pink colors.
Metal Processing
second material - metal.Only two kinds of them - gold and silver, which, inter alia, noble considered.
first one having the proud title of "king of metals", symbolizes wealth, power and nobility.In addition, in the Christian tradition golden color - a sign of justice, faith, charity and humility.
Silver with her whiteness always gone hand in hand with purity, innocence, generosity and honesty.Either way, the noble metals attached to everything that is best in human nature.
Gold is considered an analog of yellow color, while the silver is associated with white paint.They are often covered with coats of arms.Heraldry white shade considers one of the most popular in his art.Artists can get gold and silver colors with the help of not only directly metals and shiny paint.
Fur on billboards
When making fur coats of arms traditionally used two animals - squirrels and weasels.
ermine portrayed on the silver or gold field in the form of black crosses.This material is a symbol of power.The right to use it and have only had a royal and noble dynasty, which differ a special status in society.
Squirrel cover is found in the form of gray-blue and white skins.Unlike analog ermine, he does not symbolize and portrayed more often in the forms of the helmet.Such a material is, for example, in Russia are rare.
Interestingly, furs, which was worth its weight in gold in Medieval Europe, used for decoration of knightly banners even before the own coat of arms.
remnants of the past can be considered and sable fur.For example, it can be found on the banner of the famous family of Hohenzollern.It is from this place dynasty kings of Prussia and Kaiser Germany.
flowers as a symbol of
Flowers in heraldry were popular even among the royal birth.For example, in England, garlands and bouquets of roses can show off only the emblem of the ruling dynasty.If the noble families had relatives among the crowned heads, she could not use on his shield a single rose.
Wars of the Roses, which broke out in England in the XV century, it was named for the two characters fighting for the power of the dynasty.Lancaster proud of his red rose, and York - white.There are other incarnation spiked flowers.Bulgaria is the unofficial emblem of the rose scarlet, while yellow roses - the symbol of Beijing.
Another world-famous flower emblem - a lily.It was a symbol of the triad of lilies of the Bourbons, who ruled France for centuries and occupied the throne of Spain today.
Thistle of heraldic symbol became a symbol of the whole of Scotland.From exotic examples chrysanthemum, the national flower of Japan even from the VII century.
Trees on the arms
Oak.What is heraldry with a similar pattern?Since ancient times it symbolized strength and power.In addition, the stamps and flags often seen its fruits - acorns.
olive tree, and in particular its branch known as a symbol of peace.This interpretation is rooted in the Bible.According to the Old Testament, Noah, the dove brought an olive branch as a sign of the termination of the Flood.The Muslims considered the olive tree of life.Dove carrying the branch of the tree can be seen, for example, on the arms of Fiji.
Also emblems common pine and cherry (in Japan - a symbol of wealth and success).
Birds on posters
Most of the other birds as a visual image of the eagle can be seen that in the European tradition speaks about domination and power.It can be seen in the US press, where he holds an olive branch and arrows pointed thirteen (the number of states-founders).
especially carefully studying heraldry figure two-headed eagle, which can be found in the culture of various peoples.It is believed that its origin is obliged to sign the Sumerian civilization of ancient Mesopotamia.From there, he migrated to the Hittites.
Byzantine Empire also used the two-headed eagle in opoznovatelnyh purposes.It was from there he, along with Orthodoxy was transferred to Russia, where he received a second birth.Fantastic bird sported on posters Chernigov, Tver and Moscow principalities.
popular it was among the Germans (the German Confederation, the Holy Roman Empire, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and so on. D.).Today, that figure is present on the flags of Albania, Armenia, Russia, Serbia and Montenegro.
converge with an eagle on his noble qualities of a falcon, who in medieval times was associated with male traits: generosity, chivalry, courage and strength.
similar in its significance the images of birds such as herons, cranes and storks.As a rule, they are portrayed standing on one leg.Such a formulation implies caution and vigilance.
From feathered "labels" are also common crows, ducks and roosters.
Symbols animals
Wolf is particularly common in the German medieval culture.At the same time, the predator has a different allegorical meaning.Russian tradition ascribes to him anger, greed and gluttony.The Bible is a mammal - the personification of the false prophets.Known to the rest of their relatives Lupa Capitolina fed their babies with milk.It is a symbol of the "eternal city" of Rome.According to legend, she saved from starvation brothers Romulus and Remus, the first and founded a settlement.
Many animals are considered to be synonymous with meekness and timidity.This deer and lambs.Lamb has a special status in the Christian tradition.Lamb of God in the gospel of Jesus Christ is called.Without it, he could not do European Catholic heraldry.The symbols of the biblical stories have always occupied a prominent place in the Old World.
horse has an exceptional status as a decoration banner, since he was a faithful companion knights.It represents not only the speed and dedication, but also courage.The horse is always depicted in profile.
Deer, has always been considered a noble animal was popular among noble families.Warriors could use his image as evidence of intimidation of enemies, because horned forest dwellers their smell banished snakes.
Boar characterized his violent temper, it carries the character traits such as courage and fearlessness.As a rule, he is depicted in profile, however, occurs only boar's head.
Conclusion
nowadays actively studied the history of heraldry.She since its appearance has become one of the most famous images of the medieval feudal society.Distinguishing sign was proof of belonging to his family and estate.The decline of interest in the phenomenon outlined in the XVIII century.Over time, bright pictures become feudal relic, remains as the "face" of cities and states.
