The modern coat of arms of Georgia was approved in 2004. This is a large red shield that is supported by two golden lions. On it is an image of a silver figure of St. George (the main patron of the state), who kills a dragon with a spear. Above, above the shield, is the golden Georgian crown. The modern coat of arms was created under the influence of cultural traditions. Therefore, in order to understand what each of its elements symbolizes, one should consider the heraldic history of Georgian lands.
Ancient History and Heraldry of Georgia
Before our era, two kingdoms existed in the modern territory of Georgia: Iberian and Colchis. The banner of the ruler of Colchis Vakhtang I is one of the oldest relics. Later, Georgian lands were part of different states: the Roman Empire, Byzantium, and the Arab Caliphate. But the closest ties were established with Greater Armenia. It was under her influence that Christianity was adopted in Georgia. And then for the first time in the symbolism of the ruling Bagrationi dynasty, an image of the Lord's Chiton appears. The same figure was the main element of the coat of arms of Vakhtang VI. The emblem of the Bagrationi dynasty was a shield, on the sides of which stood two lions. The four images contained the following images: golden power, harp, sling, crossed scepter and saber.
At this time, the image of St. George the Victorious, the most revered of the saints in Georgia and Ossetia, also appears. The appearance of the legend of St. George the Victorious is associated with the activities of St. Nina (IV century).
Coat of arms of the kingdom of Georgia
Coat of arms of Georgia in the 19th century It was a combination of symbols of the Caucasian lands, which at that time were part of the Russian Empire.
- The first part symbolized Iveria. A silver horse was depicted on a red background. Eight-pointed stars were located in two corners.
- The second part of the shield symbolized Kartaliniya. A fire-breathing mountain was depicted on a gold background. She was pierced by two black arrows.
- A third part is a symbol of the Kabardian territories. A small golden shield was depicted on a blue background. He lay on two silver crossed arrows. A red crescent moon was drawn in the middle of the shield.
- The fourth part is a symbol of Armenia. A red lion crowned with a crown was drawn on a gold background.
- The extremity of the coat of arms symbolized the lands of Cherkasy and Gorsky princes. On a gold background was a Circassian riding a black galloping horse.
- On the central shield was the coat of arms of Georgia. It depicted George the Victorious piercing the dragon with a spear.
Coat of arms of the Georgian Democratic Republic
Consider the flag and coat of arms of Georgia in 1918-1921. It should be noted that the Georgian Democratic Republic was created on the territory of the Batumi region and two provinces: Tiflis and Kutaisi. The authors of the main symbols of the new formation were I. A. Charleman and Y. I. Nikoladze.
Coat of arms of Georgia in 1918-1921 was a seven-pointed star. In its center was a brown shield, which depicted George the Victorious, riding a white horse. He held a spear of gold in his right hand and a shield in his left. Eight-pointed stars (5 pieces), as well as a month and the sun, were depicted above St. George.
Flag of Georgia in 1918-1921 represented a cornel of cornel color (a dark shade of red). In the upper left corner there were two stripes: black and white. They symbolized the main colors of the Kartli-Kakheti kingdom.
Flag and coat of arms of Georgia in the Soviet period
The Georgian SSR was proclaimed in 1921. The authors of the coat of arms were I. A. Charleman and E. E. Lansere. They were one of the founders of the Georgian Democratic Republic in 1918. That is why the coat of arms of the GSSR was significantly different from other socialist symbols. It sounded more national than traditional Soviet motifs.
In 1990, the main symbol of the republic regains even more national motives. An accurate description of the coat of arms of Georgia 1990-2004 can be found in the amendments to the Constitution of the GSSR. It was a seven-pointed star, decorated with ornaments. A circle of dogwood was drawn in its center. In it was St. George on a white horse, which stood on top of a mountain. The Victorious was holding a spear in his hand. On top of it were 5 eight-pointed silver stars, the moon and the sun.
