Any connoisseur of European heraldry will be able to appreciate the coat of arms of Cherepovets, which is the official symbol of the city. Firstly, the historical roots of this urban emblem are visible, and secondly, the image has a complex composition, many elements are inscribed in the shield. Thirdly, there are no framing elements, symbols, crowning the composition, or located at the base.
Description of the coat of arms of the city
At the heart of the modern heraldic symbol is the coat of arms, which belonged to Cherepovets in the 19th century. The shield is rectangular with a rounding at the lower ends and a point in the middle (French form). The shield is divided into three unequal fields, besides them, there is an azure strip in the center, it symbolizes the rivers on which the city stands.
Each of the fields has its own symbolic elements, and the upper one also has a complex compositional structure. The blue field contains the following images:
- a golden throne with a scarlet seat cushion;
- brown bears that hold the throne on both sides;
- a gold candlestick on the back of the monarch's chair;
- a golden rod, a symbol of power, and a golden cross, a symbol of faith;
- green herb base for the throne.
In this image, experienced researchers recognize the coat of arms of the Novgorod lands. Below is an azure belt with two pairs of swimming fish, river inhabitants facing each other with their heads. They symbolize the water resources of Cherepovets and the surrounding area, and are also associated with local indigenous crafts.
The symbols that are located in the lower fields also play a role, for example, in the right (according to heraldic traditions) scarlet field there is a stone mountain on a green base. It demonstrates the wealth of the subsoil, the variety of minerals extracted in the region. The left field is blue, it contains images of the sun's rays and the rudder.
From the history of local heraldry
This historical coat of arms in 1917, of course, was abolished and for a long time was present only in photos in books, as illustrations. During the years of Soviet power, an attempt was made to introduce a new symbol of the city, and without official approval. This coat of arms contained two elements that reflected the life of Cherepovets at that time - a steel-making ladle and an anchor.
In 1991, the authorities of Cherepovets returned to the historical coat of arms, approving it as a new symbol of the city. This emphasized the connection of times, continuity, respect for the history and traditions of the region.
