Representatives of the world of local fauna often “visit” the heraldic symbols of cities and regions. Their main role is to show the main natural resources of the area, in addition, to symbolically demonstrate certain qualities, for example, strength, endurance, beauty. The coat of arms of North Ossetia also takes a worthy place in this row, showing the world a handsome leopard.
Description of the coat of arms
The modern heraldic symbol of North Ossetia was approved by the Parliament of the Republic in November 1994. The image has a specific author - the artist Murat Dzhigkaev, whose main task was to symbolically show the era of state and social unity.
Unlike most coats of arms of Russian regions, this symbol has a round shape. The shield is colored scarlet, which is associated with flourishing and splendor. Also, this color symbolizes courage, heroism, readiness to stand guard over the borders of the republic. There are only three elements on the round shield:
- golden with black spots handsome leopard;
- the gold base on which the animal is located;
- seven snow-capped mountain peaks in the background.
The small number of elements that adorn the coat of arms of North Ossetia is compensated by the deep meaning of each of the symbols. A restrained palette of colors is an indicator of high taste, the heraldic sign looks like a finished work of art. On the other hand, rich colors are chosen, scarlet, gold, silver, which play an important role in the heraldic palette.
Legends and myths
The Caucasian leopard is a very real animal that can still be found in the remote mountainous regions of North Ossetia today. It can also be noted that this predatory and beautiful animal is very often the main character of the works of oral folk art.
Historians claim that the coat of arms of the ancient Ossetian state was decorated with the Caucasian leopard. The second important note - on the historical heraldic symbol, the formidable predator was also depicted against the background of beautiful mountain landscapes, snow-capped peaks.
The heraldic animal symbolizes the strong state power in the republic, and the golden color correlates with such important concepts for Ossetians as respect and greatness. Mountain peaks are the so-called World Mountain, the model of the world among the ancient ancestors of the Ossetians, the silver color means joy, wisdom and purity.
