It is quite possible that of all the heraldic symbols of the settlements of Ukraine, the coat of arms of Lviv is the most solemn, pretentious and beautiful. It has a complex structure, consists of several important complexes, each of which, in turn, is decomposed into main and secondary symbolic elements.
Description of the Lviv coat of arms
Artists note the presence of a rich color range, there are classic heraldic colors, such as azure, gold, and many non-heraldic colors and shades. By the way, azure and gold are associated with the national colors of Ukraine and are present in the main heraldic symbols of the state.
The coat of arms of Lviv is based on a Spanish shield (quadrangular, with a round base) of azure color, on which the following elements are depicted: the golden gate of the fortress (open) with a part of the fortress wall and three turrets with loopholes; a golden lion depicted in profile at the gate of the fortress. This is the small coat of arms of Lviv, there is also a second version, called the Big coat of arms of the city, in which additional elements appear in the frame. In addition to the Spanish shield, the image contains the following elements: a silver city crown with three prongs; supporters in the images of a golden crowned lion and an ancient knight dressed in traditional armor; decorative base entwined with a ribbon painted in the colors of the national flag of Ukraine.
This coat of arms was approved by the local authorities in July 1990, at the heart of the modern symbol are the elements that were present on the historical coat of arms of Lviv.
The main symbol is a lion
It is absolutely clear that not a single heraldic symbol of this city could do without the image of a formidable predator, which gave the name to the settlement. Historians have discovered one of the earliest depictions of a lion on a seal that belonged to Andrew and Leo II, the Galician-Volyn princes.
The city seal of Lviv was first decorated with the image of a predator in 1359. There is a version that this was done by analogy with the seal of Heinrich the Lion, Duke of Bavaria, and is associated with the period of the German colonization of the city.
In addition to the image of a predator, the seal featured an open city gate with a part of the wall, three turrets and loopholes. In 1526, this heraldic symbol of Lvov was approved by the Polish king Sigismund I.
In 1789, another city coat of arms was adopted - a lion standing on its hind legs with an eight-pointed star and three mounds (in its front legs). In Soviet times, the coat of arms of 1526 was returned, but supplemented with Soviet symbols.
