The modern heraldic sign of this Black Sea port city has combined elements of the historical coat of arms and symbols that appeared already in Soviet times. The coat of arms of Kerch looks quite stylish, it has two options - Small and Big (ceremonial). The latter, of course, looks much more magnificent and solemn, thanks to both additional elements and a color palette.
Small coat of arms of the city
To depict this symbol of Kerch, only two colors were used, but these are probably the richest and most beautiful heraldic colors - gold and scarlet. The small coat of arms is a French-shaped shield, painted scarlet, but with a thin gold edging. The shield depicts the main symbolic elements: a golden griffin standing on its hind legs, with open wings, a protruding tongue and an S-shaped tail; below the mythological animal is the golden key.
Each of these elements has a heraldic detailing. In particular, the key is said to have an oval ring with notches at the top and bottom. It is emphasized that the key bit has a cruciform hole in the middle. It is also important to note that both the griffin and the key have a black outline, thanks to which the images of these elements stand out against the scarlet background.
Large heraldic symbol
The ceremonial (Large) coat of arms is a combination of the Small coat of arms and elements located around the shield. First, you can see the precious scarlet-lined crown crowning the shield. Secondly, in the frame there are golden branches of a laurel tree intertwined with an azure ribbon, and golden oak branches intertwined with a scarlet ribbon.
In addition, there are two more important symbols - two black anchors crossing behind the coat of arms and the Hero City Order, a state award that Kerch was awarded for the exploits of soldiers, sailors and civilians during World War II (the order was received in 1973).
The emblem of Kerch
Gold is associated with worldly qualities, power, power, wealth, and Christian virtues. Scarlet is associated with military and labor exploits, courage and heroism, blood shed in battles for the city. Black is a symbol of eternity, being, wisdom.
The shield depicts a key that symbolically opens access to the Black and Azov Seas. The winged mythical griffin is another important historical symbol that was present on the city's former heraldic emblems. The imperial crown indicated a certain status of Kerch, a city that was subordinate to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Empire.
