Since May 2000, the coat of arms of the Altai Territory was put into effect, it is made in the best Russian traditions, contains symbols reflecting the historical realities, cultural achievements and important branches of the modern economy of the region. It will not be difficult for a person familiar with the basics of heraldry to read this official symbol.
Description of the heraldic sign
For the coat of arms of the Altai Territory, a French shield was chosen (aspect ratio 9: 8), it is rectangular, rounded at the edges at the bottom and sharpened at the bottom in the center. The shield reflects the historical past and the present. The second important element of the coat of arms is a wreath of wheat ears entwined with an azure ribbon.
The shield itself is divided into two fields, the upper one is azure, the lower one is scarlet, each of the fields has its own symbolic elements: in the upper field - an image of a blast furnace of the 18th century; in the lower field - "Queen of vases".
The choice of these two elements is not accidental. Blast furnace - there is a direct reference to the historical realities of the Altai Territory. This is an illustration of the region's natural resources, primarily minerals and metals, active development of deposits, the development of ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy. Kolyvan's "Queen of Vases" is a work of art by local ancient masters. It is made of jasper, a rather rare green color, and is now kept in St. Petersburg, in the Hermitage.
A wreath of wheat ears, framing the shield, firstly, symbolizes the importance of agriculture in the economic development of the region, and, secondly, it emphasizes which direction of crop production is leading.
Color palette symbology
The main heraldic symbol of the Altai Territory looks quite harmonious and solemn, this also applies to the color scheme. The chosen colors are often used in world heraldry, and they have a deep symbolic meaning.
The field of the shield is painted in azure and scarlet colors, elements - in green (emerald), silver. On the one hand, the image remains realistic - in relation to the sky, jasper artwork, blast furnaces. On the other hand, azure color symbolizes wealth, grandeur, splendor. A scarlet tone in heraldry is associated with such moral and volitional characteristics as courage, courage, heroism. Scarlet is also positioned as the color of blood shed by local residents who defended the region from external enemies.
