Individual heraldic symbols that belong to Russian cities seem to have emerged from a fairy tale. One of them is the coat of arms of Ivanovo, a city that has many beautiful definitions. The most interesting ones are the “city of brides”, “the chintz region”, “the Russian textile capital”.
All these names are associated with textile enterprises that appeared here before the revolution and glorified this area. The main contingent of workers is the fair sex of humanity. Therefore, there is nothing surprising in the fact that a Russian beauty is depicted on the modern main official symbol of Ivanovo.
Description of the Ivanovo coat of arms
The last heraldic symbol of Ivanovo was approved by the decision of the City Duma in May 1996. The centerpiece of the shield is a young woman dressed in traditional Russian attire. You can isolate the individual elements of the costume:
- a silver shirt with scarlet embroidery on the sleeves and a collar trimmed with gold;
- scarlet sundress decorated with gold embroidery;
- the national headdress is a kokoshnik scarlet with gold and a silver scarf.
The girl is depicted sitting, but not resting. A person who knows history and ancient women's crafts will determine that she is spinning yarn. This is evidenced by the tools located next to it. First, there is a golden comb into which a silver tow is tucked. Secondly, there is a hand spinning wheel in front of the girl, it is clear that the beauty rotates the wheel with her left hand.
From the history of the coat of arms
During its long history, Ivanovo (Ivanovo-Voznesensk, from 1871 to 1932) experienced many events and changed many heraldic symbols, radically different from each other. The first project of the heraldic symbol appeared in 1873; it was carried out in the spirit of the best traditions of European heraldry.
There was a place on it for a crowned lion, an anchor, a precious imperial crown, and a decorative frame. Separate elements of this symbol appeared on the Ivanovo coat of arms, adopted in 1918. On a gold background, an azure anchor was depicted, in the left corner, on a scarlet background, a standing golden lion.
In 1970, a new coat of arms of Ivanovo appeared. Unlike many heraldic emblems of Russian cities, where Soviet symbols (stars, sickle, hammer, gears) were present, the coat of arms of this region looked neutral, laconic, stylish. It existed from 1970 to 1996, displaying an azure shield depicting a torch and spindle.
