Separate heraldic symbols of Ukrainian cities still cause controversy and friction, and sometimes it comes almost to direct insults. Well-known political leaders, leaders of the Orthodox Church, parties and factions are interfering in the matter. For example, the coat of arms of Zaporozhye has been modified many times, the work on the image has not yet been completed.
Description of the modern symbol
At the moment, the coat of arms of one of the largest Ukrainian cities consists of a shield, divided into two fields, painted in different colors. And, what is interesting, the upper field is green, traditional for heraldry, and the lower one is crimson, which is rarely found in world practice. Each of the fields has its own elements: two crossing golden muskets (in the upper field); downward black bow and arrows.
It is also important that the shield of the coat of arms of Zaporozhye is bordered with a cartouche of gold color, the drawing depicted on it is clearly visible in the color photo. The coat of arms is crowned with a silver crown with three towers. This coat of arms passed the approval procedure in 2003, in general terms it is identical to the heraldic symbol of Zaporozhye, adopted in 1811.
Through the pages of history
In 1811, the coat of arms of Zaporozhye was first approved, along with this settlement, other cities that were part of the Yekaterinoslav province acquired their own symbols. The similarities between old and modern symbols are in the color palette (green and crimson for the shield fields) and in the elements. In the upper field there were crossed guns, in the lower field there were bows and arrows. Both those and other elements acted in the meaning of strength, the city's defenses, readiness to resist the raids of the Tatar hordes.
In 1862, during the period of the so-called heraldic reform, an attempt was made to develop a new version of the coat of arms of Zaporozhye. The rifles on this symbol were replaced by a vertically positioned ("in a post") sword, the bow and arrows retained their positions. The coat of arms of the Yekaterinoslav province (on the shield) and the Alexander ribbon (framed) were added.
Another coat of arms of the city appeared in Soviet times, in 1967, of course, no one remembered the symbols of the Russian Empire. The new sketch was decorated with Soviet symbols: a ladle with pouring metal, a part of a gear, a hint of highly developed production. It was also possible to see in the coat of arms a stylized image of the dam of the most famous hydroelectric power station in Ukraine.
