Coat of Arms of Russia facts for kids
The coat of arms of Russia is a special symbol of the country. It has been used since 1993. In 2000, a court officially made it the national coat of arms. This symbol is very old. It is based on designs used long before the Soviet Union existed. Even though it has changed over time, its main parts have been around for hundreds of years.
Main Symbols of the Russian Coat of Arms
The Double-Headed Eagle
The double-headed eagle is a very important part of the Russian coat of arms. It was added by a ruler named Ivan III. This happened after he married a Byzantine princess named Sophia Paleologue. She was related to the last Byzantine Emperor. The double-headed eagle was a symbol of the Byzantine Empire.
The eagle on the coat of arms holds two special objects. One is an orb, which looks like a ball. The other is a scepter, which is like a fancy stick. These items are old symbols. They show that the country's leader has power and authority.
Other Important Parts
The coat of arms also shows a horse and rider. The rider is Saint George. He is shown fighting a dragon. This part of the symbol represents bravery and good triumphing over evil.
There are also three crowns on the coat of arms. These crowns were added in 1625. Over time, their meaning has changed.
- Long ago, they were seen as symbols of lands Russia had taken over. These were the kingdoms of Kazan, Astrakhan, and Siberia.
- Later, they represented the unity of different parts of Russia. These included 'Grand Russia' (which is today's Russia), 'Little Russia' (now Ukraine), and 'White Russia' (now Belarus).
- Today, the three crowns have a modern meaning. They stand for the three main parts of the Russian government. These are the Executive branch, the legislative branch, and the Judiciary branch.
