The history of the coat of arms of Perm dates back to July 1783, when the heraldic symbol of the city was approved by the decree of the great empress Catherine II. The modern image is somewhat different from the first official sign. True, these changes are almost invisible, in contrast to the coat of arms approved in 1969.
Heraldic description
Like most coats of arms of Russian cities, the main heraldic symbol of Perm consists of a rectangular French shield with pointed lower ends. One of the most popular colors in heraldry was chosen for it - scarlet, so the shield looks very rich. In the scarlet field, one above the other, there are three main elements of the Perm coat of arms:
- walking silver bear;
- a gilded gospel mounted on the back of the beast;
- silver cross with four equal ends.
The restraint of the palette is compensated by the depth of meaning of the elements chosen for the image. So, the bear acts as a symbol of endless territories and endless natural resources of the Perm Territory. Moreover, this value applies to forest resources, and ore reserves, and salt mines, and the extraction of precious metals.
The Gospel, which is called the Golden Book of Christianity, symbolizes the enlightenment that came to these lands along with Orthodoxy, traditional Christian culture. The four-pointed cross resembles the famous solar signs, symbols of the sun. His image is used in the coat of arms of Perm in the meaning of protection, patronage.
Interpretation of symbols in history
At the time of the empress, when the first coat of arms of Perm was approved, the interpretation of individual elements was somewhat different. Even then, the Gospel was perceived as a symbol of enlightenment. But the bear symbolized the savagery of the indigenous peoples who lived here.
After the establishment of Soviet power and the excommunication of the church from the affairs of the state, the Gospel could not be present on the coat of arms of Perm. And the coat of arms itself remained in history, for a long time they did not think about the heraldic symbol of the city at all. And only in 1967 a competition was held to create a new emblem.
In 1969, the official coat of arms was put into effect, where new Soviet symbols and elements were presented. Although we must pay tribute to the authors of the new sketch, they have preserved the shield of the old heraldic symbol and the image of a bear. At the same time, however, they removed, in general, the Gospel, replacing it with an open book, as a symbol of knowledge.
