The name "Catherine" is very important for this Siberian settlement, since Empress Catherine I gave the name, and her follower bestowed the status of a city. And she also approved the first official symbol - the coat of arms of Yekaterinburg. Some of its elements are also present in the image of the modern heraldic sign.
Description of the coat of arms
The main official symbol of Yekaterinburg has a more complex composition in comparison with other Russian cities. In addition to the shield itself, which itself has an unusual shape, the following important elements are present in the coat of arms:
- supporters in the form of a bear and a sable;
- gold ribbon at the base;
- silver crystal druse;
- a crown in the form of a tower-fortress and a laurel wreath encircling it.
The appearance of each of the elements is deeply thoughtful and symbolic. So, bear and sable, the most famous representatives of the taiga kingdom, were chosen as supporters. The first animal often acts as the owner of the forest, the sable belongs to the animals, the extraction of which has significantly increased the wealth of the region. Animals also act as a kind of defenders of the city (this is evidenced by their formidable postures, mouths showing fangs and teeth).
The golden ribbon, which can be seen in the photo of the coat of arms, emphasizes the "metropolitan character", since Yekaterinburg is one of the largest Russian cities. The Silver Druse speaks of the natural resources of the Urals, in particular the deposits of ores, precious metals and stones.
The crown appeared on the coat of arms of Yekaterinburg not so long ago, in May 2008. But it is a reference to history, to the origin of the city, which appeared as a fortress. The laurel wreath traditionally symbolizes victory.
Shield elements and their symbols
The shield of the Yekaterinburg coat of arms, firstly, has a complex, unconventional heraldic shape, and secondly, it contains elements associated with the modern life of the city and its history.
In addition, the coat of arms has a complex palette of colors. The field itself is divided into two parts, green and gold, which can be attributed to the geographical location of Yekaterinburg, located, as it were, on the border of Europe and Asia.
In the lower gold field, a blue wavy line is depicted, a reminder of the Iset River flowing in these places. In the upper field there are two more symbolic images, one of them resembles a well frame. This element was also present on the coat of arms of 1783, symbolizing the mining industry, one of the most important in the region. The second important direction in the city's economy is the metallurgical industry, symbolically shown through the image of a blast furnace.
