Any specialist in the field of heraldry will be able to instantly answer the question of which of the official symbols of Russian cities and regions has historical roots, which was introduced quite recently. One of the main signs is the presence of a crowned two-headed eagle, the symbol of the Russian Empire. For example, the image of this bird of prey today adorns the coat of arms of Orenburg. Although, it is clear that during the years of Soviet power such a symbol could not be used.
Description of the coat of arms of Orenburg
The city authorities approved a regulation that establishes the coat of arms as the official symbol of the city, a description and color palette, as well as the procedure for its use.
The regulation on the official symbol of Orenburg specifies that the image reflects the historical traditions of the area, its national, natural and cultural characteristics. The main elements are the following elements of the heraldic symbol depicted on the shield of the traditional form:
- an azure wavy belt that divides the shield horizontally in half;
- in the upper part there is an emerging eagle with two heads crowned with crowns and one more crown located in the center;
- in the lower part there is an abstract blue St. Andrew's cross.
The wavy belt symbolizes the most famous river of Orenburg - the Ural, the two-headed imperial eagle reminds of the city's belonging to a great state, the St. Andrew's cross is depicted as a sign of the city's loyalty to the Russian state.
The historical coat of arms, which was presented by Empress Catherine II for special services, looked similar. The fact is that the army of Yemelyan Pugachev laid siege to Orenburg in October 1773, the siege continued until March of the next year, but the locals held out and did not surrender their beloved city. As a sign of this victory, the St. Andrew's Cross is depicted on the city's coat of arms. The same role is played by the two-headed eagle depicted on the heraldic symbol - for loyalty to the empress and the state.
The color of the sun and heavenly heights
The palette of the heraldic symbol of this Siberian city is rather restrained. The main colors are gold, blue, black. Each of them has long been used in world heraldry and has a certain symbolic meaning.
Gold is chosen for the background of the French shield, blue - for the depiction of the elements on the shield. A double-headed eagle is shown in black, each of the two heads of the bird has a golden beak and a scarlet tongue. The gold color on the coat of arms symbolizes wealth and stability, blue - honor, nobility, black wisdom and eternity.
