The Serbian capital Belgrade is one of the oldest cities in Europe. It dates back to the 3rd century. BC e., and it should be noted that only the perseverance of the inhabitants allowed the city to exist for so long. After all, its history is very long and long-suffering, and it itself was destroyed more than once. And so much so that the residents had to lift it literally from the ruins, which left its special imprint on the appearance of the streets and the entire architecture of the city as a whole.
Fortunately, the locals do not lose their optimism and are still distinguished by kindness and friendliness towards visitors. This feature is found among the townspeople almost from the day the city was founded and even the coat of arms of Belgrade displays it. A trip to Belgrade is a rest for the soul, since the general atmosphere of the city does not dispose to active sightseeing with their obligatory capture in the photo. It is customary here to just walk along the old streets, allowing your feet to choose the route for themselves.
History of the coat of arms of Belgrade
The first official coat of arms of Belgrade in its current form was approved in 1931. However, over time, the municipal authorities decided that it was not informative enough and in 2003 approved a new one based on the 1991 sketch. And, although he can be considered relatively young, he is a canon example of Eastern European heraldic traditions.
Description of the coat of arms
The composition consists of details such as:
- a double-headed eagle topped with a crown with a green branch in one paw and a sword in the other;
- military orders;
- a ship sailing on the waves;
- oak branch;
- fortress wall.
The meaning of these symbols is quite obvious. The crowned eagle is the personification of power and authority, and also speaks of the ancient history of this city. The sword and the green branch in the paws simultaneously symbolize the peacefulness of the townspeople and their willingness to defend the city with arms in hand. The latter is reinforced by military orders, meaning that the city has military glory and has repeatedly confirmed its right to exist. The waves symbolize the flow of the Danube, and the golden ship symbolizes the value of the city as a center of river navigation.
Separately, I would like to draw your attention to the fortress wall, or rather to its open gates. This is a sign that the townspeople are always ready to warmly welcome everyone who came to them in peace.
As for the colors, there are no special mysteries here. White is the traditional color of Belgrade, while blue and red are Serbia and Yugoslavia, respectively.
