Throughout the history of this seaside resort town, it managed to change its heraldic symbol four times, and each new one was significantly different from the previous one, both the elements and the color palette changed. The only thing that was repeated, without which the coat of arms of Nikolaev could not exist, is the azure color. After all, this is the color of nobility, purity, grandeur and, of course, a direct reference to the geographical location of the settlement.
Description of the coat of arms of Nikolaev
The last official symbol was adopted in September 1997. The modern coat of arms is based on its historical ancestor, from which important elements have disappeared. In particular, the heraldic symbol of the Kherson province, to which the territories occupied by Nikolaev belonged, was removed.
The coat of arms of this seaside city has a complex composition, consisting of several important complexes:
- a French shield depicting a ship with oars sailing on the sea, miter and crossing staffs;
- tower crown with three teeth above the shield;
- two golden crossing anchors located behind the shield;
- scarlet ribbon draped beautifully around the shield and anchors.
The coat of arms has a rather rich palette, the author of the sketch used popular heraldic colors, including shades of precious metals, gold and silver. They are used to draw small details located on the shield and behind it.
Miter and staves appeared on the main official symbol of Nikolayev for a reason, they are associated with Saints Nicholas and Gregory, who are the patrons of the city and its inhabitants. At the same time, the miter is associated with St. Nicholas, and the staffs are elements related to St. Gregory.
From the history of the coats of arms of Nikolaev
The first of the symbols appeared in 1803, the shield was divided into three fields in the azure field was the Bishop's miter, in the golden field - the golden staff, in the black - the golden censer.
In 1883, a new symbol of Nikolaev was approved, a miter and a staff remained from the old elements, a new element made up their company on the shield - a ship that indicated the coastal location of the city and the role of shipping in the economy of the settlement.
The third Soviet coat of arms, left the lower part of the shield azure, the upper became scarlet. In the lower field was a fragment of a gold gear, as a symbol of industry, in the upper field - a sailboat, which was associated with the location of the city on the seashore.
