In May 1994, the coat of arms of Udmurtia was officially approved. It is fundamentally different from most of the heraldic symbols of cities and republics that are part of the Russian Federation. This also applies to the shape of the shield, and the color palette, and the elements depicted.
Description of the heraldic sign
The beauty of the coat of arms of the Udmurt Republic is visible at first glance, it looks especially good on color photos. Laconic color palette, style and harmony of images are its main artistic characteristics. Only three colors have been chosen for the image: black, red (scarlet), white, which corresponds to silver in the heraldic tradition.
The shield itself is round in shape, it has a border and inscribed symbols. Horizontally, the field of the shield is divided into two parts, black and scarlet. Against this background, there is a stylized image of a white swan with wide-spread wings.
On the bird's chest there is a scarlet solar sign with eight ends, a kind of amulet. Above each wing of the swan there are two more similar solar signs, made in silver, but smaller in size than the central element. The framing tape at the bottom of the shield makes a kind of fold, on which the name of the republic is written in Russian and Udmurt languages.
Local heraldic historians use mathematical terms and definitions to describe the coat of arms of Udmurtia. They give the exact ratio of the size of the wings to the tail in relation to the diameter of the shield, indicate the number of feathers in the tail and in each wing. The ordinary viewer does not need such mathematical details at all; in assessing the coat of arms, he will use other criteria related to the field of art than to the field of exact sciences.
Symbolism
The appearance of a swan on the heraldic symbol of the Udmurt Republic is traditionally associated with local mythology. This fabulous bird is present in legends, myths, and traditions of different nationalities living in the territory of the region.
This is not just a representative of the avifauna of the region, but a generalized symbol of a bird-man associated with perfection, wisdom, courage and loyalty. Each of the solar signs acts as a guardian for the inhabitants of the republic, a large solar sign is the embodiment of earthly forces, small solar signs are cosmic.
In addition, the color palette also has its own symbolic meaning, white is associated with space, purity, striving for the ideal. Red is associated with the sun, life, prosperity, black is a symbol of stability and eternity.
