Individual heraldic symbols of Russian cities represent an amazing cocktail of Western European and native Russian images. For example, the coat of arms of Murom is decorated with the image of a lion, made in the best traditions of heraldry of Russia's western neighbors, and three large rolls, demonstrating the culinary skills of local housewives.
Description and symbolism of the coat of arms of Murom
The modern heraldic symbol of this ancient Russian city is identical to the historical coat of arms. The official approval procedure took place in 2004, and the first coat of arms in August 1781 was approved by Catherine II herself, simultaneously with the coats of arms of other settlements of the Vladimir governorship, which included Murom.
The modern coat of arms of the city has a fairly simple structure. It is a shield in a traditional French shape. It is based on a rectangular shield, the lower ends of which are rounded, but the middle is sharpened. It is divided horizontally into two fields, the upper one is scarlet, the lower field is painted in azure color, one of the most popular in the heraldry of Europe. Each of the fields has its own important elements: an image of a leopard lion (in the upper part); three rolls for which the Murom land was famous (in the lower part).
To emphasize the exceptional value that these elements play in symbolism, the authors of the sketch used shades of precious metals - silver and gold.
The leopard lion is painted gold, a formidable animal with a large mane and a high tail, stands on its hind legs. The head of the predator is crowned with a richly decorated silver crown, in the right front paw there is a silver cross with a long handle. Kalachi, which have a characteristic shape, like the lion, are colored gold, that is, they are shown ready-made, baked.
From the history of the symbol
Scientists note that the main symbol of Murom could look completely different. In the traditions of Russian cities, the emblem of a regiment located in a particular settlement was used as a coat of arms. On the banners of the Murom regiment there was a snow-white wall of a fortress with battlements and a hand, as it were, coming out of a cloud. This hand held the princely crown on a gold chain. The very field of the emblem was azure.
Murom historians claim that part of the fortress wall visible on the regiment's emblem symbolized the border location of the city. The hand that gives the crown is a reference to the Vladimir princes who ruled in these lands.
