Coat of arms of Crimea

Both the Ukrainian Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the Russian Republic of Crimea use the same coat of arms (Russian: Герб Крыма, Ukrainian: Герб Криму),[nb 1] which has been in use since 1992.

Coat of arms of Crimea
Versions
Lesser coat of arms
ArmigerAutonomous Republic of Crimea
Republic of Crimea
Adopted24 September 1992
BlazonGules, a Griffin passant Argent, holding in dexter talon an Oyster Shell also Argent, containing a Pearl Azure.
SupportersOn either side, a Pillar Argent
MottoProsperity in unity (Russian: Процветание в единстве)

Description

The coat of arms consists of a red Varangian shield and a silver griffin passant facing to the heraldic right with an azure pearl in its right paw. On either sides of the shield are a white pillar. At the top of the shield sits the rising sun. Winding around both columns and under the shield rests the Flag of Crimea, a blue–white–red tricolor ribbon, unto which the Motto of Crimea, Процветание в единстве (translated as Prosperity in unity), is inscribed.

The Varangian shield is symbolic of the fact that the region of Crimea was for a long time a crossing of major trade routes.[2] The red field of the coat of arms symbolizes the intense history of Crimea.[2] The griffin is placed on the coat of arms because it is commonly used to represent the territory north of the Black Sea, and is known as the "coat of arms" of Chersonesos and Panticapaeum, where one can see the griffin on artifacts from the area.[2]

Another variation in the symbolism is that the pearl is symbolic of Crimea as a part of Earth, and the griffin as the defender of the young republic.[2] The pearl's azure is reminiscent of the combined culture of Crimea. The white pillars are said to be reminiscent of the ancient civilizations which inhabited the peninsula. The rising sun is symbolic of prosperity and regeneration.[2]

Historical coats of arms
  • Crimean Regional Government
    (1918–19)
  • Crimean ASSR
    (1938–45)

See also

Notes
  1. A March 2014 UN resolution confirming Crimea is still part of Ukraine was backed by 100 of the United Nations member states, with only 11 members rejecting it.[1]

References
  1. Article on the RT (Russia Today) website
  2. fotw.net Archived 2007-03-11 at the Wayback Machine — Crimea Autonomous Republic (Ukraine)


  1. The status of Crimea and of the city of Sevastopol is since March 2014 under dispute between Russia and Ukraine; Ukraine and the majority of the international community consider Crimea to be an autonomous republic of Ukraine and Sevastopol to be one of Ukraine's cities with special status, while Russia, on the other hand, considers Crimea to be a federal subject of Russia and Sevastopol to be one of Russia's three federal cities.
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