Coat of Arms of Ukraine facts for kids

The Lesser Coat of Arms of Ukraine, a powerful national symbol.

The coat of arms of Ukraine is a very important national symbol. It's like a special badge for the country! It looks just like the Ukrainian flag with its colors: a blue shield and a gold trident. This symbol is called the Tryzub (Ukrainian: Державний Герб України Derzhavnyi Herb Ukraiyny) in Ukrainian. It tells a long story about Ukraine's history and its journey to independence.

What is a Coat of Arms?

A coat of arms is a special design that represents a country, a family, or an organization. Think of it as a unique logo that has deep meaning. These symbols often show important values, history, or characteristics. For Ukraine, the coat of arms is a strong sign of its identity and pride. It helps people recognize Ukraine around the world.

The Golden Trident (Tryzub)

The main part of Ukraine's coat of arms is the golden trident. It sits on a blue shield. The trident is a very old symbol with a rich history.

What Does the Trident Mean?

The exact meaning of the trident has been debated for a long time. Some historians believe it looks like a falcon diving. This could be a reference to the gyrfalcon, a powerful bird of prey. Others think it might be a stylized symbol of three elements: sky, earth, and water. It could also represent the Holy Trinity. Another idea is that it's a hidden symbol for the word "volya," which means "freedom" in Ukrainian. This makes sense because freedom is very important to Ukraine.

History of the Tryzub

The trident symbol is not new. It has been used in Ukraine for over a thousand years!

Ancient Roots

The earliest known use of the trident dates back to the Kyivan Rus' era. This was a powerful state that existed in Eastern Europe from the 9th to the 13th centuries. Prince Volodymyr the Great, who ruled Kyivan Rus' from 980 to 1015, used the trident as his personal emblem. You can find it on his coins and seals from that time. Each prince often had their own version of the trident.

Modern Revival

After the Kyivan Rus' era, the trident symbol was not widely used for a long time. However, it made a big comeback in the 20th century. When Ukraine declared its independence in 1918, after the Russian Revolution, the trident was chosen as the national emblem of the Ukrainian People's Republic. This showed a connection to the ancient history of Ukraine.

Soviet Era and Independence

During the time Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union, the trident was forbidden. It was seen as a symbol of Ukrainian nationalism. But after the Soviet Union broke apart, Ukraine became independent again in 1991. On February 19, 1992, the Ukrainian parliament officially adopted the trident as the national coat of arms. This was a huge moment for the country, bringing back a symbol that represented its long history and desire for freedom.

Colors of the Coat of Arms

The colors of the coat of arms, blue and gold, are the same as those on the Ukrainian flag. These colors also have special meanings:

• Blue often represents the clear blue sky, peace, and the wide rivers of Ukraine.
• Gold (or yellow) symbolizes the golden wheat fields that cover much of the country. It also stands for prosperity and wealth.

Together, the blue and gold colors on the coat of arms and flag represent Ukraine's beautiful landscapes and its hopeful future.

The Great Coat of Arms

While the golden trident on a blue shield is the official "Lesser Coat of Arms," Ukraine also has a plan for a "Great Coat of Arms." This larger version would include more symbols. It would feature the Lesser Coat of Arms in the center. On one side, there would be a lion from the coat of arms of Lviv, a historic Ukrainian city. On the other side, there would be a Cossack with a musket, representing the brave Ukrainian warriors of the past. This Great Coat of Arms is still being discussed and designed.

Images for kids

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  The white gyrfalcon, possibly the inspiration for Ukraine's trident.

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  Seal of King George-Boleslav denoting a horse rider with lion on the coat of arms

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  Coin of Galicia after the Polish annexation (Moneta Russie)

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  The Ukrainian trident overprint of May 1919 on a five-heller stamp of Austria-Hungary

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  Columns of Gediminas

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  City of Lviv in the Soviet Union (1967–1990)

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  Variation of Pogon Ruska for the city of Nizhyn

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  Mykola Bytynskyi's proposal

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  Mykola Bytynskyi's proposal

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  Mykola Bytynskyi's proposal

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  2007 proposal

See also

In Spanish: Escudo de Ucrania para niños