There is nothing surprising in the fact that the coat of arms of Kaliningrad is decorated with the image of a sailing ship. What other element can be as important for the western outpost of the Russian Federation as this symbol associated with the water element.
A detailed examination of the main heraldic symbol of this Russian regional center allows us to note the modernity of artistic performance and the relationship with history. Certain elements of the Kaliningrad coat of arms were present on the heraldic sign of Konigsberg, this name was given to the city until 1946.
Description of the official symbol of Kaliningrad
Elements of the modern coat of arms of Kaliningrad are borrowed from the old symbol. At the same time, the names of local artists are known, who had a hand in creating not just a heraldic symbol, but a small artistic masterpiece.
These are Sergey Kolevatov and Ernest Grigo, the sketch was approved in July 1996, revised in 1999. Thanks to them, the coat of arms looks stylish both in color photos and in black and white illustrations. Its composition is quite simple, it consists of one element, a French shield, on which the main symbols are located. For the field of the shield, an azure color was chosen, this is quite logical, since the city is located on the shores of the Baltic Sea and is a large seaport.
The following basic symbolic elements are located on the shield:
- silver sailing ship;
- a silver pennant on the mast with the St. Andrew's cross;
- golden bezants forming a wave;
- centrally located display panel;
- in the frame of the shield there is a ribbon, the colors of which correspond to the medal "For the capture of Konigsberg".
Of particular interest among all the symbols depicted on the coat of arms of Kaliningrad is the central shield. Firstly, the most popular colors in heraldry were chosen for it, these are scarlet (lower half) and silver (upper half of the shield). Secondly, the cross and crown are present as important elements. At the same time, the so-called silver Greek cross is located in the lower field of the shield, the scarlet crown, respectively, in the upper field.
In 1999, the coat of arms was finalized, changes did not affect the concept, the appearance or removal of certain elements. We can say that they were associated with artistic performance. So instead of three green leaves at the bottom of the mast, there was only one, a silver one. The historical coat of arms of Königsberg has increased in size, and the ribbon of the medal is drawn more clearly.
