Heraldic symbols of many Russian cities and regions emphasize the peculiarities of the geographical and economic position, speak of achievements or natural resources. For example, the coat of arms of Vladivostok is a shield with the image of the Ussuri tiger, the most famous predator inhabiting these territories.
Interestingly, since the introduction of this official symbol of the city, the tiger did not leave the image, unlike the rest of the details that were present, disappeared and reappeared.
Modern heraldic symbol
The coat of arms of the city of Vladivostok in its modern image is rather restrained in the number of elements and details, has a poor (quantitatively) color palette. At the same time, “rich”, expensive colors were chosen, which are associated with precious metals - gold and silver. Also, a fairly large area on the shield is occupied by green, black and scarlet are used in drawing outlines and small details.
As a shield, the so-called French shield was chosen, which has a sharpness in the lower part and rounded lower ends. The main field is green, it symbolizes, firstly, the forest resources of the Russian region, the center of which is Vladivostok. Secondly, green in heraldry symbolizes prosperity, wealth, hope.
The lower part of the shield is presented in the form of a stony silver slope, the contours are clearly traced in black. The main emblem character is an Ussuri tiger climbing a slope (shown in profile). The same black color is chosen for drawing the stripes, the tongue and eyes are shown in scarlet. The predatory animal looks quite realistic, and the color of the eyes indicates its formidable nature.
History of the coat of arms
Historians call the date of the appearance of the first coat of arms of Vladivostok - 1881, the author of the first sketch is the architect Y. Rego. The following elements were present on this heraldic symbol:
- a shield with the already known image of a tiger and the coat of arms of the Primorsky Region at the top right;
- a tower crown with three teeth located above the shield;
- behind the shield - two crossing anchors;
- wrapping around the anchors Andreevskaya ribbon.
Two years later, the coat of arms of Vladivostok was officially approved by Alexander III. During the years of Soviet power, the city's heraldic symbol disappeared, then appeared in 1971, but with a hammer and sickle inscribed in the battlements of the tower. In 2001, by the decision of the City Council, a new version was adopted without external details, only a shield and a formidable tiger remained.
