It just so happens that any state must have its own symbols, reflecting the patriotism of the people, their wealth and historical heritage. The history of the coat of arms of the USSR began precisely in 1922, when the RSFSR, ZSFSR, Belarusian and Ukrainian SSR signed the Treaty on Education. Article 22 of this treaty established that the USSR has its own state seal, anthem, flag and coat of arms.
How the first coat of arms of the USSR was developed
After its formation, a special commission was created that was engaged in the development of state symbols. The Presidium of the Central Executive Committee listed the main elements of the coat of arms: sickle, forge hammer, rising sun. Previously, they were depicted on the coat of arms of the RSFSR, which was approved by V.I. Lenin.
Already in mid-January 1923, artists presented to the Central Executive Committee many sketches that met all established standards. The project completed by V.P. was chosen. Korzuny together with V.N. Adrianov, who suggested placing the image in the drawing globe. I.I. was also invited to work on the coat of arms. Dubasov, who developed sketches of the Union's banknotes. It was this honored figure who finally finalized the drawing.
The painstaking work of the artists was closely monitored by the authorities. Secretary of the Presidium A.S. Enukidze proposed replacing the “USSR” monogram at the top of the coat of arms with a small red five-pointed star. By the beginning of July 1923, a project was adopted that contained a description of the new state symbol.
What did the coat of arms of the USSR look like?
If you ask modern youth whether they know what the Soviet coat of arms looked like, only a few will be able to describe it. And in those days, every person stopped on the street could tell in detail everything about his state symbol. This is what patriotism means!
The state emblem of the USSR contained an image of the globe, against which a hammer and sickle could be seen, and around there was a frame of sun rays and ears of corn. At the same time, the latter were entwined with red ribbons, which contained the inscription “Workers of all countries, unite!” for everyone national languages Soviet republics. A star was visible at the top of the coat of arms.
Decoding symbols
Every detail of the state emblem is depicted for a reason, because there is meaning in everything, and the coat of arms of the USSR is no exception. denotes a willingness to be open to the whole world in terms of political, financial and friendly relations. The hammer and sickle embody the union of workers, peasants and intellectuals fighting for a brighter future. The rising sun is a symbol of the emergence of the USSR, building a communist society. Some interpret the sun with its rays as the birth of communist ideas.
What else is remarkable about the coat of arms of the USSR? The picture contains an image of ears of corn, which are identified with the wealth and prosperity of the state. It has long been known that bread is the king of everything, and the Union knew how to grow the best grain in its endless fields. Disputes over the meaning of the red star with a gold border have not subsided to this day. Some see it as a pentagram, others interpret the drawing as a symbol, and the creators claim that the star means victory and power. The ribbons displayed the number of republics that were part of the USSR.
Changes in state symbols
According to the constitution approved in 1936, the USSR included 11 republics. There were also initially 11 ribbons on the coat of arms. In September 1940, the Presidium of the USSR proposed changes to the coat of arms, due to the fact that the number of allied states had increased. Work has begun again on the image of the state symbol. In the spring of 1941, a preliminary draft of the coat of arms was adopted, but the outbreak of war prevented its finalization.
At the end of June 1946, a new version of the state emblem was introduced. The motto on it was already reproduced in 16 languages, Moldavian, Finnish, Latvian, Estonian and Lithuanian were added.
By decree of the Presidium of the USSR dated September 12, 1956, tape number sixteen containing the inscription on Finnish, was removed from the coat of arms, since the Karelo-Finnish SSR was included in the RSFSR. In April 1958, the text of the motto in Belarusian was changed. “PRALETARS OF OUR COUNTRY, HAPPY!” - this is how it began to sound in a new context. Goznak artists worked on all the clarifications: S.A. Novsky, I.S. Krylkov, S.A. Pomansky and others.
The 15-ribbon coat of arms existed until the collapse of the Union due to Gorbachev’s perestroika. At the moment, the coat of arms of the USSR is prohibited from public display. It is appropriate to use Soviet symbols only for informational and museum purposes.
Another state symbol: the flag
Flag Soviet Union is not as remarkable as the coat of arms, but this does not make it any less important as a symbol of the state. The red flag reminds many of the Soviet past, but the flag was not always just red.
In 1923, the flag and coat of arms of the USSR were legislatively approved, which underwent many changes during the existence of the state. The first flag contained an image of the coat of arms located in the center of the canvas. It existed until November 12, 1923 (until the third session of the Central Executive Committee). On this day, an amendment was made to Article 71 stating that the flag should consist of a red (or scarlet) panel with an image of a gold-colored sickle and hammer at the top corner of the pole and above them a red star framed by a gold-colored border.
April 8, 1924 it was approved detailed description flag of the Soviet Union with the ratio of the length and width of all images on the symbols. Also on the banner there was a gold stripe framing the roof, inside of which there was a hammer and sickle.
There were some changes
Like the coat of arms of the USSR, the flag was changed many times. Already in December 1936, the roof with a gold stripe was removed from the description of the state banner, and the color could again be not only red, but also scarlet. Since then, the flag has remained virtually unchanged in appearance, with only occasional small details being adjusted. For example, the sickle was repeatedly lengthened or shortened, or the angle of its intersection with the hammer was changed.
Only in August 1955 did the USSR authorities approve the “Regulations on the State Flag of the USSR”. It legally regulated when, where and how the symbol of state power should be raised.
A little about the 1955 Regulations
The regulations stated that the flag should be constantly raised only on the buildings of the Presidium of the USSR Armed Forces and the Council of Ministers of the USSR, as well as the main subordinate organizations. It was stipulated that it should be raised on buildings where the Congress of Soviets of the USSR or a session of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR takes place. For example, on March 8, May 1, November 7, it was allowed to raise the banner on residential buildings. Use of the USSR flag on ships navy was also provided, but only for ships sailing on waterways within the USSR.
The meaning of the state flag of the USSR
The USSR was a powerful state, and the symbolism spoke for itself. The flag signified the unity of the people, their strength and steadfastness. The hammer and sickle were identified with the brotherhood of workers of all nationalities of the country, who were building a bright, indestructible communist future, which was indeed bright, but, unfortunately, in 1991 the USSR disappeared, and with it, state symbols sank into summer. Let today's youth remember their history and remember the symbolism of the great collapsed country.
Several signatures on a piece of paper. Bright camera flashes. Congratulations. Obligatory buffet. In 1949, we finally signed the SALT Treaty (On the Reduction of Fictitious Arms) and got rid of the Panzerkleins. Hundreds of these metal monsters were sent to be melted down. The metal from which they were made was useful for the production of much more useful products - “ Hammer and sickle”.
We are ours, we will build a new world!
Europe, meanwhile, was changing literally before our eyes. The Second World War ended, Germany was defeated, and people tired of the war began to slowly establish a peaceful life. The allies, however, quickly found a reason to quarrel, and now the soldiers, who just yesterday fought together against the same enemy, look suspiciously at each other through the embrasures of the checkpoints. What was that flashing through the bushes? Hare? Yes, let it be a hare for them, and not Soviet intelligence officer, crossing the demarcation line. He has a lot to do on the other side: the USSR and the USA and Britain are balancing on the brink of a military conflict, and any information about the enemy’s intentions and actions can be very useful...
The plot of “Hammer and Sickle” takes place at a very interesting time. On the one hand, this is no longer the notorious Second World War. On the other hand, her spirit is felt everywhere. The heroes of the game begin to get to know each other with the traditional question: “Where did you fight?” In response, the numbers of the units are called, the places where they had to shed their own and other people’s blood are listed - it is felt that people are tired of the war and really want to return to peaceful life. However, this has not yet been possible. Post-war Germany - this is where the game takes place - is still very weak, and part of its territory is immersed in anarchy: weapons are sold on every corner, there are no fewer bandits than policemen and soldiers, and shots ring out almost every day. An ideal place for a scout, by the way. Dissolving into the crowd, becoming almost invisible and slowly absorbing information is as easy as shelling pears here.
Actually, this is what we have to do for almost the entire game, gradually finding out new details of the conspiracy, the goal of which is to lead the world to another military catastrophe. But first, the obligatory hit with your forehead against the wall! Nurtured “ Operation Silent Storm” (It is on the basis of this game that “Hammer and Sickle” was made) players will definitely try to take the plot by storm and, having chalked up several dozen killed enemies, will themselves play out to the Third World War. It was said: the situation is tense, both sides are ready to attack each other. If you start playing pranks behind enemy lines, leaving behind mountains of corpses, the nerves of the commanders will fail and war will begin. Surprisingly, but true - throughout almost the entire game we will have to restrain ourselves, trying to engage in battles as little as possible. A cunning piece of program code remembers every trick of the player and, as soon as these same tricks become too many, gives him a “failure” in his behavior.
What to do? The same thing a real intelligence officer would do. First, we meet with a fellow agent. Oops, we got ahead of ourselves - instead of a living interlocutor, only his corpse remained. Okay, then let's contact the center. Then, having received recommendations, we begin to “look around the area” - fortunately, on the global map there are always a couple of locations where you can go. Don’t forget to establish contacts with the population - the natives will always share rumors, give helpful advice, they will present you with a task, and even try to sell something.
The plot, as expected, is non-linear. Missions can be completed different ways(including peaceful ones - those who like to jabber will definitely like the local dialogue system), and many roads lead to the finale. And there are several endings in the game. By the way, I would like to separately note the work of the people who created the final videos - they gave us real mini-films with very interesting scenarios. Watching them is a pleasure!
And this is for you - for Jan Hus! |
In general, “Hammer and Sickle” amazes with its unconventional approach at almost every turn. You see, we are accustomed to the fact that even very complex computer games live according to laws that we, the players, understand. There are different rules here - almost the same as in life. In a nearby city, did a police patrol try to take you prisoner? So there is no point in walking through enemy territory in a Soviet camouflage suit! Have you got hold of civilian clothes? Still, be on your guard - law enforcement officers may decide to check your documents. However, getting “crusts” is also not a problem - if only there was money. And now we are already begging for assignments from rich people and becoming a frequent guest of the local gunsmith, who will happily buy barrels obtained in battles.
There is, however, another option - to visit the same city, only at night. The police will not be so active, and if you act carefully, you can accomplish everything you have in mind without catching their eye. In general, time plays a very important role in Hammer and Sickle. So, not every task you receive will be dutifully endured until the moment when you, having walked around the area to your heart’s content, decide to begin completing it. What kind of tasks are there: even a rifle given to a merchant for upgrading will have to wait several game hours.
The only thing that looks somewhat illogical in Hammer and Sickle is the mercenaries. In just a couple of days you can recruit the most diverse people into your team. This, to be honest, is not entirely in the spirit of a professional intelligence officer - the recruitment of agents on enemy territory is, of course, carried out, but usually much more carefully and slowly. However, we should not forget that we are still playing a game, and a tactical one at that - acting with several fighters is much more interesting here than with one. Subordinates, of course, require care and attention: one is friends with these, the other cannot stand those. In order to assemble a team of at least four or five people, you have to be a very talented politician.
Grandfather's chest
The presence of “Operation Silent Storm” in the list of “parents” certainly makes itself felt. The graphics have remained virtually unchanged - familiar models of buildings, people and equipment are immediately recognizable. The engine continues to boast excellent physics and allows us to break almost anything we want. However, destructibility in “Hammer and Sickle” is not very important - the battles here are not so large-scale, and they occur much less frequently. Although the opportunity to make a door where you want is as pleasing as before.
Stand! No one is home, I say! |
The combat system, although similar to the original, has undergone many changes. What catches the eye most is the perfectly balanced weapon. For example, submachine guns have become much more powerful: if previously they were inferior to rifles and machine guns in almost all respects, now they are on par with them. Panzerkleins and futuristic weapons have been removed from the game - not a big loss, to be honest.
Players' rights activists, of course, have several reasons to sound the alarm. For example, the weight of carryable weapons is strictly limited: just a couple of barrels in the inventory - and your fighter is already overloaded. Stealth mode, which was so helpful in “Operation Silent Storm,” can now be turned on only when the fighter is in the shadows or in the dark. Battles have become noticeably more difficult: the enemy almost always has a numerical advantage, and artificial intelligence acts very carefully and competently.
Unfortunately, some shortcomings also carried over from “Operation Silent Storm”. The voice acting is, as before, terrible. It seems that this is already a tradition - to come up with lines for characters that absolutely do not correspond to the situations that arise in the game. In addition, in “Hammer and Sickle” the fighters are desperately trying to joke, but their humor, to be honest, is flat and ugly.
You still have to pay for the sophisticated graphics in the size of the maps: local “cities” consist of two or three streets and a dozen buildings - of course, there is no room to spread out. In addition, the developers got too carried away with scripted videos on an engine that is not designed to show close-ups - it all looks like a puppet theater.
Two more not very pleasant moments also make themselves felt. Firstly, the budget for the project is clearly not very high - when playing through the game, you get the feeling that it was possible (and probably wanted!) to do a little more, but, alas, it was not possible. Secondly, employees Novic&Co I still don't have enough experience. And this is logical - after all, just yesterday they were ordinary fans of “Operation Silent Storm” who just wanted to make a good modification to their favorite...
| For the homeland! | |
“Hammer and sickle” fully lives up to its name - the project turned out to be amazingly patriotic, which, to be honest, is rare for domestic games. The USSR here acts as a kind and fair power, the Soviet intelligence officer is a real hero who is trying to save the world from an impending disaster. The atmosphere of the game is somewhat reminiscent of our old war films: a little naive, but kind and heroic. And most importantly - no “good bad” for you. When the developers were asked on one of the forums why you can’t play for the other side, there was a categorical answer: “ We are not interested in this. Let the Americans do “for the Americans”" Sounds naive, you say? Absolutely not - foreign developers, when creating their games, are guided by a very similar logic. |
* * *
And they did. Just not a modification, but a full game. Moreover, despite minor shortcomings, it is very successful. “The Hammer and Sickle” can already be called one of the main discoveries of 2005 - the project turned out to be so bright, unexpected and unusual.
Replay value -Yes
Cool story -No
Originality -No
Easy to learn -Yes
Meeting expectations: 100%
Gameplay: 9.0
Graphic arts: 9.0
Sound and music: 6.0
Interface and control: 8.0
Did you wait? Very correct turn-based tactics: deep, balanced and interesting. With this you can go on reconnaissance!
Red star, hammer and sickle August 8th, 2015
The All-Russian Center for the Study of Public Opinion (VTsIOM) conducted a survey on how Russians relate to various symbols. The results are published on the center's official website.
The majority of Russians have a positive attitude towards the hammer and sickle and the red five-pointed star as symbols, according to a poll by VTsIOM. Thus, 73% of Russians have a rather positive attitude toward the hammer and sickle, while only every tenth Russian (11%) has a rather negative attitude. Every twentieth person surveyed (6%) does not know what the hammer and sickle mean. Approximately the same attitude is observed towards another Soviet symbol - the red five-pointed star. 66% of Russians have a rather positive attitude towards it, and negative - only 11% of respondents. Already every tenth Russian (10%) does not know what the red five-pointed star means.
This result means that the overwhelming majority of Russian citizens have a positive attitude towards the Soviet historical period of our country. Not understanding or ignoring this means a complete inability to recognize current social trends in our society. And the trends are such that re-Sovietization will determine our future political appearance and this cannot be ignored. And if the current government does not pay close attention to this and does not change its political course, then it is possible that after some time it will be out of work due to the fact that power will be exercised by those who truly share their ideals and ideals with their people. aspirations. This is the historical reality.
Russia has no choice left. The path to the West is closed, no matter how much our liberals would like it. And it has long been obvious that this direction was clearly disastrous for our country. All that remains is to follow your own path, which was discovered almost a hundred years ago in 1917. The country's leadership will not be able to pretend for a long time that this is not so. Either move forward, or slowly but surely slide into the abyss, towards not only political oblivion, but also the actual physical destruction of the state.
I'm not saying that we need to repeat exactly everything that happened before. This is simply impossible. We need to learn from positive experience, take all the best and move forward, giving the whole world a chance for salvation. Yes exactly! Russia remained the last bastion on the path of final dehumanization, the immersion of everything and everyone into chaos and destruction. Many in the world already understand this and look towards Russia with hope for the revival of human ideals. This should be our path.
Well, for those who have forgotten or do not know what Soviet symbols mean, I suggest that you familiarize yourself with brief information on this matter.
Red Star
The five-pointed Red Star is a heraldic sign that was a symbol of the Red Army and was present on the flag and coat of arms of the USSR, flags and coats of arms of the Warsaw Pact countries. It is one of the elements of the Banner Armed Forces Russian Federation, emblems of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus, the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the PLA of China, is present as an element on the official symbols of some other states and their administrative units. He is also depicted on the emblems of a number of sports clubs, such as CSKA and some companies. In the USSR, it meant the unity of the world proletariat of all five continents of the Earth: the five ends of the star - the five continents of the planet. Red is the color of the proletarian revolution; it was supposed to unite all five continents with a single goal and a single beginning. The five-pointed red star was the symbol of the Red Army. The red star was usually called the "star of Mars" after the ancient Roman god of war, Mars. In the Soviet tradition, Mars symbolized the protection of peaceful labor. Therefore, it is no coincidence that it is the red star that is located above the planet in the coat of arms of the USSR. The red star symbolized the liberation of workers from hunger, war, poverty and slavery. The red star, as a symbol of the Red Army, was proposed by the Military Collegium for the organization of the Red Army; the creator of the emblem was the commander of the Petrograd Military District, Konstantin Eremeev.
Hammer and sickle
The hammer and sickle emblem was established by government decision in late March - early April 1918 and approved by the V Congress of Soviets on July 10, 1918. First depicted on state seal Council of People's Commissars of the RSFSR on July 26, 1918. The hammer and sickle were the so-called small emblem of the USSR, used until the mid-1930s, during the period of the constitutions of 1918 and 1924. At that time, there was also a separate, symmetrical image of the sickle and hammer. The hammer and sickle were reproduced on seals, official documents, uniforms of the Red Army, on the buildings of some state enterprises, institutions, organizations, vehicles, banknotes, the rostrum of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, the rostrum of the Supreme Soviets of the union and autonomous republics, on the buildings of the Soviets of Working People's Deputies, on the most important printed publications, as well as on a number of orders and medals of the USSR, badges, etc.
USSR flag
The description of the flag of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was first published by the Council of People's Commissars only in 1924. Before this, it was proposed to make the flag of the USSR a red banner with the coat of arms in the center. The national flag of the USSR was a red rectangular panel with an image in its upper corner, near the shaft, of a golden sickle and hammer and above them a red five-pointed star framed by a gold border. The reverse side of the USSR flag had to be purely red (this is defined in the Regulations on the Flag...). Although sometimes flag manufacturers neglected this requirement (or rather, did not know about it, since it was not accepted to openly disregard the laws in the USSR) and depicted a mirror image of the hammer and sickle and star on the reverse side.
USSR coat of arms
The final version of the coat of arms of the USSR dated July 6, 1923. The first state emblem of the USSR was approved by the Central Executive Committee of the USSR on July 6, 1923. Its description was enshrined in the 1924 Constitution of the USSR. In 1923–36 the motto was “Workers of all countries, unite!” was written in 6 languages (according to the number of union republics that formed the USSR in 1922); further, in accordance with the number of union republics, the number of red ribbons with the translation of the motto on the coat of arms also changed. In 1937-46 - 11 films, in 1946-56 - 16, from 1956 - 15.
Coat of arms of the RSFSR
In the summer of 1918, the Soviet government finally decided to break with the historical symbols of Russia, and the new Constitution adopted on July 10, 1918 proclaimed in the state emblem not land, but political, party symbols: the double-headed eagle was replaced by a red shield, which depicted a crossed hammer and sickle and an ascending RSFSR, coat of arms (1920) the sun as a sign of change. Since 1920, the abbreviated name of the state - the RSFSR - was placed at the top of the shield. The shield was bordered by ears of wheat, secured with a red ribbon with the inscription “Workers of all countries, unite.” Later, this image of the coat of arms was approved in the Constitution of the RSFSR.
See you in the USSR!
Hammer and sickle in the USSR, symbol Soviet state, symbolizing the peaceful labor of the Soviet people, the fraternal indestructible union of workers and peasants, emphasizing that all power in the country of the Soviets belongs to the working people. Due to the particularly important significance of this emblem in Soviet symbolism, the order of its depiction in a number of cases is determined by law (for example, the regulations on the State Flag of the USSR, approved by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of August 19, 1955). The hammer and sickle is one of the main elements of Soviet state emblems and flags. The hammer and sickle is reproduced on seals, official documents, on the buildings of some state enterprises, institutions, organizations, vehicles, banknotes, the tribune of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, the tribunes of the Supreme Soviets of the Union and Autonomous Republics, on the buildings of the Councils of Working People's Deputies, on the most important printed publications, as well as on a number of orders and medals of the USSR, breastplates, etc.
The hammer and sickle emblem was established by government decision in late March - early April 1918 and approved by the V Congress of Soviets on July 10, 1918. First depicted on the state seal of the Council of People's Commissars of the RSFSR on July 26, 1918.
The hammer and sickle were the so-called small emblem of the USSR, used until the mid-1930s, during the period of the constitutions of 1918 and 1924. At that time, there was also a separate, symmetrical image of the sickle and hammer.
Together with the red star, the hammer and sickle appeared on the flag of the USSR in 1923, and in 1924 the symbol was written into the constitution. The hammer and sickle were also placed on the flags and coats of arms of the Soviet republics.
It was described in the Constitutions of the RSFSR of 1937 and 1977.
Due to the particularly important significance of this emblem in Soviet symbolism, the order of its depiction in a number of cases was determined by legislation (for example, the regulations on the State Flag of the USSR, approved by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of August 19, 1955).
What did symbols such as the hammer and sickle actually mean? The fact is that these symbols have been found among different peoples since ancient times and were used, naturally, not only as political symbols.
HAMMER
The hammer(s) are one of the oldest emblems of craft. For the first time, the image of a hammer is found as an emblem on the territory of the Roman Empire in the tombstone of a blacksmith (441). It is also a creative-destructive symbol of male power, associated with the power of the sun, thunderstorms, the power of rulers, and the gods of war.
The hammer, starting from the Middle Ages, gradually became common, most applicable for different types crafts emblem. It is used as a craft sign by architects, stonemasons, sculptors, blacksmiths, shoemakers, miners, and miners. Later - machine builders, technicians, engineers, and in each case with the addition of some other emblem to this main, basic emblem, serving as an additional, clarifying attribute.
Thus, the hammer very early becomes a generalized symbol of any craft and industry, and in fact before the emergence of industry itself. In addition, the meaning of the hammer as a craft tool, primarily a blacksmith's one, is close to the ancient, mythical ideas about the hammer as a tool of the deities of thunder, lightning and fire, with the help of which fire is struck or thunder is produced (the hammer of Hephaestus - Vulcan, the hammer of Thor - the Scandinavian god of war , hammer-club of Perkunas - Perun, etc.).
The combination of medieval craft views on the importance of the hammer as a kind of universal tool of any craft with ideas coming from paganism about the hammer as a sacred instrument of the supreme deity gave the hammer as a symbol special authority, and ensured its image wide, one might say, worldwide distribution.
Differences in the origin, meaning and use of the hammer among different peoples and related different interpretation this emblem in practice caused the need to somehow distinguish and recognize different meanings hammer in specific cases, including in Russian heraldry. In order to separate the high symbolic meaning of the hammer as a sacred weapon, as a military weapon, from everyday and handicraft-applied ones, a terminological distinction was adopted between a hammer in the high sense and a hammer in the craft sense. Craft tools began to be called hammers, that is, they were used and depicted as an emblem only in plural. Therefore, all technical emblems contain either two crossed hammers, or any other craft tool (tool) was depicted together with a hammer - a wrench, an axe, a pick, etc.
Taking this circumstance into account, proletarian organizations Western Europe starting from the second half of the 19th century centuries, especially since the 70s, have chosen the hammer in a high sense as their class symbol, essentially taking it away from the nobility and emphasizing that the hammer is a symbol of the vanguard of the proletariat - the workers of large-scale machine industry.
On the eve of the first Russian revolution and especially in the period 1905 - 1907. the hammer as a symbol of the working class becomes a generally accepted concept in the ranks of the Russian revolutionary movement.
That's why after the fact October revolution The first emblem of the Soviet state was the hammer. It was given to the figure of Prometheus, who symbolized the liberation of the proletariat from the yoke of capitalism, and the allegorical figures of the hammerman on silver coins of 1923 - 1925 in denominations of 50 kopecks and 1 ruble, as well as the figure of a worker on the first draft of the coat of arms of the RSFSR.
Already in March - April 1918, the hammer was defined by the Soviet government as an indispensable Soviet emblem, which should be present in the coat of arms of the Soviet Republic, long before the constitution was written and approved. Those who carried out the drawing of the coat of arms had only to draw and implement this government instruction. This issue was decided not by artists, but by the Soviet political leadership and was resolved not even in 1918, but in fact in 1905. It is this circumstance that explains the well-known fact that the names of artists and emblem engravers were never recorded, because these people were just technical performers, and not at all the creators of Soviet emblems.
The hammer, as the main Soviet state emblem, together with the sickle, formed the so-called small emblem of our country from July 1918 to December 1991.
After the Second World War, a number of states, primarily socialist (and some bourgeois), introduced the hammer, and sometimes the sickle, into their state emblems. In all socialist states, the hammer was the main state emblem. For example, in the coat of arms of the GDR, a hammer was adjacent to a compass, forming an emblem signifying a skilled, technically and scientifically armed working class.
The hammer also serves as a symbol of wealth in Japan (associated with gold mining); in India, on the contrary, its destructive power was associated with the triumph of evil.
In the symbolism of Freemasonry, the hammer as an attribute of the master of the lodge symbolizes the creative mind.
SICKLE
The sickle is one of the two main emblems of the Soviet (workers' and peasants') government, the emblem of the peasantry as a class. The fact that the sickle should be a symbol of the peasantry was first indicated in the government message about the competition for the Soviet coat of arms, signed in April 1918 by A.V. Lunacharsky, and, therefore, this issue was previously discussed in government circles in the period from January to April 1918.
The reasons why the sickle was chosen as the emblem of the working peasantry were the following: the sickle is the most widespread and, moreover, personal instrument of peasant labor, available in every peasant family; the sickle is a hand tool used by men and especially women, that is, common to the peasants, while the scythe is predominantly a male tool, and the plow is a relatively rare tool for that time, available only to rich, prosperous peasant kulaks. The sickle, in addition, symbolizes the harvest, the harvest.
Perhaps it was also important that the overwhelming majority of the members of the Soviet government and party apparatus, members of the Central Committee lived before the revolution in Switzerland and could not help but know that in Swiss and Austrian heraldry, a sickle in the hands of a peasant was considered an emblem of his economic independence and freedom.
The choice of the sickle as an emblem was also influenced by its shape, appearance, which goes well with the hammer, which was included in the revolutionary, proletarian symbolism even before the October Revolution, and also the fact that in Russia there was already a tradition of considering the sickle the main and characteristic peasant tool of labor.
In Russian urban heraldry, until 1917, the sickle was found in the coats of arms of the following cities: Krasnoyarsk (Siberia), Voznesensk, Uman (Ukraine), Lida (Belarus), Shchigry, Serpeisk (Central Russia), Zagatal (Azerbaijan), Kamyshlov (Ural), then available in almost all regions of the country.
The very image of the sickle in the Soviet coats of arms had the peculiarity that it took into account the national character of the decoration of the sickle. Thus, in Russia the sickle was used with serrated blades, and in Germany - with a smooth blade. In accordance with this, the sickle on the coats of arms of Latvia and Lithuania, where German sickles were previously used, received a smooth blade. The national Uzbek (Bukhara) sickle, called urak, was used in the coat of arms of Uzbekistan.
After the First World War and the bourgeois revolution of 1918, the sickle as an attribute of the Austrian eagle, holding a sickle in its right paw and a hammer in its left, entered the heraldry of this bourgeois state, and remained until 1938, when Austria was captured by Nazi Germany. However, in 1945, when the Austrian state was restored, this coat of arms again took its place in the coat of arms of the Republic of Austria. It was believed that the sickle was one of the ancient European emblems used since the Middle Ages in Austrian, Swiss and South German heraldry.
Current use of the Hammer and Sickle symbol.
After the collapse of the USSR, the hammer and sickle symbol is used in the coat of arms and flag of the Bryansk region and on the flag of the Vladimir region, as well as a number of cities, for example, Dzerzhinsk, Nizhny Novgorod region.
The unrecognized government of the Transnistrian Moldavian Republic uses (with minor modifications) the coat of arms and flag of the Moldavian SSR, which includes a hammer and sickle.
The hammer and sickle is a symbol of the communist parties of many countries.
Several emblems are stylistically similar to the hammer and sickle, such as the emblem on the flag of Angola (crossed cogwheel and machete), the emblem of the Workers' Party of Korea (hammer, hoe, and writing brush), the old symbol of the British Labor Party (shovel, torch and hoe).
Since 1975, the coat of arms of Laos has been made with a hammer and sickle in the Soviet style. In 1991, the hammer and sickle were replaced with an image of Pha That Luang Temple in Vientiane.
The hammer and sickle can also be seen in the eagle's claws on the coat of arms of Austria.
The Fourth International uses as its emblem the hammer and sickle symbol reflected horizontally with the number “4”
Symbols are the most international and timeless language. We see them every day and roughly know what they mean. However, during the course of their thousand-year history, symbols could change their meaning to the opposite.
Yin Yang
Appearance time: According to the famous Russian orientalist, Dr. historical sciences Alexei Maslov, yin-yang symbolism may have been borrowed by Taoists from Buddhists in the 1st-3rd centuries: “they were attracted by Buddhist drawn symbolism - and Taoism developed its own “mandala”: the famous black and white “fish” of yin and yang.”
Where was it used?: The concept of Yin-Yang is key to Taoism and Confucianism, the doctrine of Yin-Yang is one of the foundations of traditional Chinese medicine.
Values: In the Book of Changes, yang and yin served to express light and dark, hard and soft. As Chinese philosophy developed, yang and yin increasingly symbolized the interaction of extreme opposites: light and dark, day and night, sun and moon, sky and earth, heat and cold, positive and negative, even and odd, and so on.
Initially, “yin” meant “northern, shadowy”, and “yang” meant “southern, sunny slope of the mountain.” Later, “yin” was perceived as negative, cold, dark and feminine, and “yang” as positive, light, warm and masculine.
Being the basic (fundamental) model of all things, the concept of yin-yang reveals two provisions that explain the nature of Tao. First of all, everything is constantly changing. Secondly, opposites complement each other (there cannot be black without white, and vice versa). The purpose of human existence is thus the balance and harmony of opposites. There can be no “final victory”, because nothing is final, there is no end as such
Magen David
Appearance time: It is reliably known that the hexagram was widely used back in the Bronze Age (late 4th - early 3rd millennium BC) over a vast territory: from India to the Middle East.
Where was it used?: IN Ancient India the hexagram was called Anahata or Anahata chakra. The six-pointed star was known in the ancient Near and Middle East. In the Islamic tradition, in Mecca, the main Muslim shrine - the Kaaba - is traditionally covered with a silk blanket on which hexagonal stars are depicted.
The six-pointed star began to be associated with Jewry only in the Middle Ages, and in medieval Arabic books the hexagram is found much more often than in Jewish mystical works, and for the first time images of the hexagram appear in Jewish holy books precisely in Muslim countries, only reaching Germany in the 13th century. The six-pointed star is found on the flags of the Muslim states of Karaman and Kandara.
There is an assumption that the hexagram was the family symbol of the family of David al-Roi, who lived in Iran, one of the contenders for the role of Moshiach. This is sometimes used to explain the origin of the accepted name for the hexagram: Magen David, or “shield of David.”
The Rothschild family, having received the title of nobility, included Magen David in their family coat of arms. Heinrich Heine put a hexagram instead of a signature under his newspaper articles. It was subsequently adopted as a symbol of the Zionist movement.
Values: In India, the Anahata hexagram symbolized the attic chakra, the intersection of the masculine (Shiva) and feminine (Shakti) principles. In the Middle and Near East, the hexagram was a symbol of the goddess Astarte. The six-pointed star is included in the symbolism of Kabbalah: two triangles superimposed on each other are considered as a visual symbol of the sefirot.
In the twenties of the twentieth century, Franz Rosenzweig interpreted the Magen David as a symbolic expression of his philosophical ideas about the meaning of Judaism and the relationship between G-d, man and the universe.
Connection six-pointed star with the Jews was finally established as a result of Nazi policies in Germany. The yellow Magen David became a symbol of the Holocaust.
Caduceus
Appearance time: The exact time of appearance of the caduceus is unknown. Obviously this is a very ancient symbol. It is also found on the monuments of Ancient India and Ancient Egypt, Phenicia and Sumer, Ancient Greece, Iran, Rome and even Mesoamerica.
Where was it used?: The caduceus is still one of the most common symbols in heraldry. In the form of a caduceus there was a staff of heralds among the Greeks and Romans (the rod of Hermes). When they were sent to an enemy camp, the caduceus was a guarantee of their immunity.
In occultism, the caduceus is considered a symbol of the key that opens the limit between darkness and light, good and evil, life and death.
Since the 19th century, the image of the caduceus has often been used in a number of countries (for example, in the USA) as a symbol of medicine, which is the result of a common mistake due to its resemblance to the staff of Asclepius.
The image of the caduceus as an attribute of the god of trade is traditionally used in the symbolism of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of a number of countries around the world, including Russia.
Before the revolution and for several periods after it, crossed caduceus were used as a customs emblem.
Today, a caduceus crossed with a torch is part of the emblem of the Federal Customs Service and is one of the heraldic symbols of arbitration courts, the Federal Tax Service of the Russian Federation and the State Tax Service of Ukraine. Since September 2007, the caduceus has been used in the emblem of the Russian Federal Compulsory Medical Insurance Fund.
In heraldry, the caduceus was used in the historical coats of arms of the following cities Russian Empire: Balty, Verkhneudinsk, Yeniseisk, Irbit, Nezhin, Taganrog, Telshev, Tiflis, Ulan-Ude, Feodosia, Kharkov, Berdichev, Talny.
Meaning: The core of the caduceus is symbolically associated with the tree of life, the axis of the world, and the snake - with the cyclical rebirth of Nature, with the restoration of the universal Order when it is disturbed.
Snakes on the caduceus indicate the hidden dynamics in what is outwardly stable, symbolize two multidirectional flows (up and down), the connection of heaven and earth, God and man (the wings on the caduceus also indicate the connection of heaven and earth, spiritual and material) - everything that is born on earth comes from heaven and, after going through the path of trials and suffering, gaining life experience, must rise to heaven.
It is said about Mercury that with his staff - which has since been considered a symbol of peace and harmony - he separated two fighting snakes. Fighting snakes are disorder, chaos, they need to be separated, that is, distinguished, see opposites and unite, overcome them. Then, having united, they will balance the Axis of the World, and around it, Cosmos and harmony will be created from Chaos. The truth is one, and to come to it, you need to follow a straight path, which is symbolized by the axis of the caduceus.
The Caduceus in the Vedic tradition is also interpreted as a symbol of the Serpent Fire, or Kundalini. Wrapping around the central axis, the snakes connect at seven points and are connected to the chakras. Kundalini, the Snake Fire, sleeps in the base chakra, and when it wakes up as a result of evolution, it ascends along the spine along three paths: the central one, Shusumna, and two lateral ones, which form two intersecting spirals - Pingala (this is the right, male and active spiral) and Ide (left, feminine and passive).
Chrism
Appearance time: It is not known for certain, but researchers suggest that even during the life of the apostles, that is, in the 1st century. This symbol has been found in Christian tombs since the 3rd century AD.
Where was it used?: The most famous use of the symbol is on the labarum, the state banner of imperial Rome. The symbol was first introduced by Emperor Constantine the Great after he saw the sign of the cross in the sky on the eve of the Battle of the Milvian Bridge (312).
Constantine's labarum had a chrism at the end of the shaft, and on the panel itself there was an inscription: lat. “Hoc vince” (slav. “With this win”, lit. “With this win”). The first mention of labarum is found in Lactantius (d. c. 320).
Values: Chrisma is a monogram of the name of Christ, which consists of two initial Greek letters of the name (Greek ΧΡΙΣΤΌΣ) - Χ (chi) and Ρ (rho), crossed with each other. The Greek letters α and ω are often placed along the edges of the monogram. They go back to the text of the Apocalypse: “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, says the Lord, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
A number of later researchers discerned in the letters P and X, enclosed in a circle, an ancient pagan symbol of the Sun. For this reason, Protestants generally do not recognize the labarum as an original Christian symbol.
Appearance time: The symbol itself appeared during the formation of the Devanagari syllabic alphabet (“divine city letter”), that is, in the 8th-12th centuries.
Where was it used?: “Om” as a symbol denoting the sacred sound “Om” is used in Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Shaivism, Vaishnavism, and yogic practices. Currently, “Om” has already become a part of pop culture; it is applied as a print on clothes and tattooed. "Om" is featured on George Harrison's albums, the "Om" mantra is heard in the chorus of The Beatles' "Across the Universe" and in the Juno Reactor song "Navras" on the Matrix soundtrack.
Values: In the Hindu and Vedic traditions, “Om” is a sacred sound, the primordial mantra, “word of power.” Often interpreted as a symbol of the divine triad of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
In Hinduism, “Om” symbolizes the three sacred texts of the Vedas: Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Samaveda, and is itself an originally sacred mantra, symbolizing Brahman. Its three components (A, U, M) traditionally symbolize Creation, Maintenance and Destruction - categories of the cosmogony of the Vedas and Hinduism.
In Buddhism, the three sounds of the word "Om" can represent the Body, Speech and Mind of the Buddha, the Three Bodies of the Buddha (Dharmakaya, Sambhogakaya, Nirmanakaya) and the three jewels (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha). However, Buddhologist Evgeny Torchinov noted that the syllable “Om” and similar syllables (“hum”, “ah”, “hri”, “e-ma-ho”) “do not have any dictionary meaning” and pointed out that these syllables, unlike from other syllables of mantras represent “sacred untranslatability” in the Mahayana tradition.
Ichthys
Time and place of origin: Images of the acronym ΙΧΘΥΣ (from the Greek Jesus Christ the Son of God the Savior) or the fish symbolizing it first appear in the Roman catacombs in the 2nd century. The widespread use of this symbol is evidenced by the mention of it by Tertullian at the beginning of the 3rd century: “We are small fish, led by our ikhthus, we are born in water and can only be saved by being in water.”
Where was it used?: The acronym Ichthys began to be used by the first Christians, since images of Christ were unacceptable due to persecution.
Values: The symbolism of fish was associated in the New Testament with the preaching of the apostles, some of whom were fishermen. Jesus Christ in the Gospel of Matthew called his disciples “fishers of men,” and likened the Kingdom of Heaven to “a net thrown into the sea and capturing fish of all kinds.” Ichthys was also associated with Alpha from the words of Jesus Christ: “I Am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.”
At the end of the 20th century, ichthys became a popular symbol among Protestants in different countries oh, and opponents of creationism began to parody this sign by sticking a fish sign with the word “Darwin” and small legs on their cars.
Cup of Hygeia
Time and place of origin: Ancient Greece. III-I millennium BC
Where was it used?: Hygeia in Greek mythology was the goddess of health, daughter or wife of the god of healing Asclepius. The word “hygiene” comes from her name. She was often depicted as a young woman feeding a snake from a vial. The snake was also a symbol of the goddess Athena in Greek mythology, who was often depicted as Hygeia and vice versa.
Values: In Ancient Greece, Hygeia personified the principle of a just war for health as light and harmony on all planes. And if Asclepius began to act when order was disrupted, then Hygieia maintained the order-law that reigned initially.
The snake in ancient traditions symbolized death and immortality, good and evil. They were personified by her forked tongue, the poisonousness of her bites, along with the healing effect of the poison, and the ability to hypnotize small animals and birds.
The snake was depicted on the first aid kit of a Roman military doctor. In the Middle Ages, the combination of images of a snake and a bowl on the emblem was used by pharmacists in the Italian city of Padua, and only later this private pharmaceutical symbol turned into a generally accepted medical sign.
The bowl with the snake is still considered a symbol of medicine and pharmacy in our time. However, in the history of medicine in different countries, a snake entwined around a staff was more often considered the emblem of healing. This image was adopted by the WHO at the UN at the First World Assembly in Geneva in 1948. Then the international health emblem was approved, in the center of which a staff entwined with a snake is placed.
Rose of Wind
Date of origin: The first mention was in 1300 AD, but scientists are sure that the symbol is older.
Where was it used?: Initially, the compass rose was used by sailors of the Northern Hemisphere.
Meaning: The wind rose is a vector symbol invented in the Middle Ages to help sailors. The compass rose or compass rose also symbolizes the four cardinal directions along with the intermediate directions. Thus, she shares the symbolic meaning of the circle, center, cross and rays of the solar wheel. In the 18th – 20th centuries, sailors got tattoos depicting a compass rose as a talisman. They believed that such a talisman would help them return home. Nowadays, the wind rose is perceived as a symbol of a guiding star.
8 spoke wheel
Date of origin: around 2000 BC
Where was it used?: Egypt, Middle East, Asia.
Meaning: The wheel is a symbol of the sun, a symbol of cosmic energy. In almost all pagan cults, the wheel was an attribute of the solar gods; it symbolized life cycle, constant rebirth and renewal.
In modern Hinduism, the wheel signifies infinite perfect completion. In Buddhism, the wheel symbolizes the eightfold path of salvation, space, the wheel of samsara, the symmetry and perfection of dharma, the dynamics of peaceful change, time and fate.
There is also the concept of “wheel of fortune,” which means a series of ups and downs and the unpredictability of fate. In Germany in the Middle Ages, a wheel with 8 spokes was associated with Achtwen, a magical rune spell. In the time of Dante, the Wheel of Fortune was depicted with 8 spokes of the opposite sides of human life, periodically repeating: poverty-wealth, war-peace, obscurity-glory, patience-passion. The Wheel of Fortune is included in the Major Arcana of the Tarot, often along with the ascending and falling figures, like the wheel described by Boethius. The Wheel of Fortune Tarot card continues to depict these figures.
Ouroboros
Date of origin: The first images of the ouroboros date back to 4200 BC, but historians believe that the symbol itself arose much earlier.
Where was it used?: Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, Mesoamerica, Scandinavia, India, China.
Meaning: Ouroboros is a snake devouring its own tail, a symbol of eternity and infinity, as well as the cyclical nature of life, the alternation of life and death. This is exactly how ouroboros was perceived in Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece.
In Christianity, the symbol changed its meaning, since in Old Testament the serpent symbolized evil. Thus, the ancient Jews established an equal sign between the ouroboros and the serpent from the Bible. In Gnosticism, the ouroboros represents both good and evil.
Hammer and sickle
Date of origin: in state heraldry - 1918.
Where was it used?: USSR and various communist parties of the world
Meaning: The hammer has been a craft emblem since the Middle Ages. In the second half of the 19th century, the hammer became a symbol of the European proletariat. In Russian heraldry, the sickle meant harvest and harvest, and was often used in the coats of arms of various cities. But since 1918, these two signs have been combined into one, acquiring a new meaning. The hammer and sickle became a symbol of the ruling working class, the union of workers and peasants.
The moment of creation of the symbol was described as follows by Sergei Gerasimov, the author of the famous painting “Mother of the Partisan”: “Evgeny Kamzolkin, standing next to me, thought about it, said: “What if we try such symbolism?” - At the same time, he began to walk on the canvas. - Draw a sickle like this - it will be the peasantry, and inside the hammer - it will be the working class.
The hammer and sickle was sent from Zamoskvorechye to the Mossovet on the same day, and there they rejected all other sketches: a hammer with an anvil, a plow with a sword, a scythe with a wrench. Then this symbol was transferred to the state emblem of the Soviet Union, and the artist’s name was forgotten for many years. They remembered him only in the post-war period. Evgeny Kamzolkin lived a quiet life in Pushkino and did not claim royalties for such a highly-rated symbol.
Lily
Date of origin: The lily has been used in heraldry since 496 AD.
Where was it used?: European countries, especially France.
Meaning: According to legend, the king of the Franks, Clovis, was given a golden lily by an angel after he converted to Christianity. But lilies became an object of veneration much earlier. The Egyptians considered them a symbol of purity and innocence. In Germany they believed that the lily symbolizes afterlife and atonement for sins. In Europe, before the Renaissance, the lily was a sign of mercy, justice and compassion. She was considered a royal flower. Today the lily is an established sign in heraldry.
Recent research has shown that the fleur-de-lis, in its classic form, is actually a stylized image of the iris.
Crescent
Date of origin: approximately 3500 BC
Where was it used?: The crescent moon was an attribute of almost all lunar deities. It was widespread in Egypt, Greece, Sumer, India, and Byzantium. After the conquest of Constantinople by the Muslims, the crescent became strongly associated with Islam.
Meaning: In many religions, the crescent moon symbolizes constant rebirth and immortality. Christians revered the crescent moon as a sign of the Virgin Mary, and in Western Asia they believed that the crescent moon was a sign of cosmic forces. In Hinduism, the crescent moon was considered a symbol of control over the mind, and in Islam - divine protection, growth and rebirth. A crescent moon with a star meant heaven.
Double headed eagle
Date of origin: 4000-3000 BC
Where was it used?: Sumer, Hittite kingdom, Eurasia.
Meaning: In Sumer, the double-headed eagle had religious significance. He was a solar symbol - one of the images of the sun. From about the 13th century BC. e. double headed eagle was used different countries and principalities as a coat of arms. The double-headed eagle was minted on coins of the Golden Horde; in Byzantium it was a symbol of the Palaiologan dynasty, which ruled from 1261 to 1453. The double-headed eagle was depicted on the coat of arms of the Holy Roman Empire. To this day, this symbol is the central image of the coats of arms of many countries, including Russia.
Pentacle
Date of origin: The first images date back to 3500 BC.
Where was it used?: Since the ancient Sumerians, almost every civilization has used this sign
Meaning: The five-pointed star is considered a sign of protection. The Babylonians used it as a talisman against thieves, the Jews associated the five-pointed star with the five wounds on the body of Christ, and the magicians of medieval Europe knew the pentacle as the “seal of King Solomon.” The star is still actively used both in religion and in the symbolism of different countries.
Swastika
Date of origin: The first images date back to 8000 BC.
Where was it used?: IN Eastern Europe, Western Siberia, Central Asia, in the Caucasus, in pre-Columbian America. Extremely rare among Egyptians. Among the ancient monuments of Phenicia, Arabia, Syria, Assyria, Babylon, Sumer, Australia, and Oceania, the swastika was not found.
Meaning: The word “swastika” can be translated from Sanskrit as a greeting and wish for good luck. The swastika, as a symbol, has a great many meanings, but the most ancient of them are movement, life, Sun, light, prosperity.
Due to the fact that the swastika was used in fascist Germany, this symbol began to be strongly associated with Nazism, despite the original symbol of the sign.
All-seeing eye
Date of origin: 1510-1515 AD, but in pagan religions a symbol similar to the all-seeing eye appeared much earlier.
Where was it used?: Europe, Asia, Oceania, Ancient Egypt.
Meaning: The all-seeing eye is the sign of an all-seeing and all-knowing god who watches over humanity. In Ancient Egypt, the analogue of the All-Seeing Eye was Wadjet (the eye of Horus or the eye of Ra), which symbolized various aspects of the divine structure of the world. The all-seeing eye, inscribed in a triangle, was a symbol of Freemasonry. Freemasons revered the number three as a symbol of the trinity, and the eye located in the center of the triangle symbolized the hidden truth.
Cross
Date of origin: approximately 4000 BC
Where was it used?: Egypt, Babylon, India, Syria, Persia, Egypt, North and South America. After the birth of Christianity, the cross spread throughout the world.
Meaning: In Ancient Egypt, the cross was considered a divine sign and symbolized life. In Assyria, a cross enclosed in a ring was a symbol of the Sun God. Residents South America They believed that the cross drove away evil spirits.
Since the 4th century, Christians adopted the cross, and its meaning has changed somewhat. IN modern world the cross is associated with death and resurrection, as well as with salvation and eternal life.
Anarchy
The combination “A in a circle” was used back in the 16th century by European alchemists under the influence of Kabbalistic magic as the first letters of the words: “Alpha and Omega,” the beginning and the end.
IN modern tradition was first used in the Spanish section of the 1st International as a designation catchphrase the famous anarchist J. Proudhon “Anarchy is the mother of order” in capital letters “l’anarchie” and “l’ordre”.
Pacific
The famous symbol was developed in 1958 in Britain at the height of the movement against nuclear war as a combination of the semaphore symbols "N" and "D" (the first letters of the phrase "nuclear disarmament" - nuclear disarmament). Later it began to be used as a symbol of universal reconciliation and unity of mankind.
Card suits
In the classical (and most modern) French deck, the suit symbols were four signs - hearts, spades, diamonds, clubs, in the form in which they were widely used.
The oldest European deck, the Italian-Spanish one, passed down directly from the Arabs, depicted coins instead of diamonds, a sword instead of a pike, a cup instead of a red heart, and a club instead of a clover.
Suit signs came to their modern form through gradual euphemization. Thus, tambourines designated money as metal rattles (tambourines used to be diamond-shaped), clover was previously an acorn, the shape of a spade resembled leaves, which was reflected in the German deck, and the cup underwent a complex evolution from the image of a rose to a heart. Each suit symbolized the feudal classes: merchants, peasants, knights and clergy, respectively.
16.Anchor
Appearance time: first centuries AD.
Where was it used?: Everyone knows the anchor symbol as a maritime emblem. However, in the first centuries new era the anchor was closely associated with Christianity. For early Christians, who saw in it the hidden form of a cross, the anchor personified the hope of salvation and caution, safety and strength.
In Christian iconography, the anchor, as an emblem of security, is the main attribute of St. Nicholas of Myra - patron saint of sailors. A different meaning should be attributed to the anchor of the semi-legendary Pope Clement (88?-97?). According to church tradition, during the period of persecution of Christians, the pagans hung an anchor around the pope's neck and drowned him in the sea. However, the sea waves soon parted, revealing the temple of God at the bottom. The body of the holy champion of the faith was allegedly discovered in this mythical underwater temple.
Values: There are several meanings for an anchor. The anchor is a sacred object to which sacrifices were made, because it was often the only salvation of sailors. On the coins of Greece, Syria, Carthage, Phenicia and Rome, the anchor was most often depicted as a symbol of hope.
In art Ancient Rome the anchor symbolized the joy of returning home after a long journey. On the graves of the 1st century, the image of an anchor was associated with the image of the church as a ship that carries souls across the stormy sea of life.
The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Hebrews, compared hope to a safe and strong anchor. The Greek word "ankura" (anchor) was associated with Latin expression“en kurio”, that is, “in the Lord.”
IN fine arts The Renaissance anchor also signifies the attribute of hope. Particularly popular in Renaissance painting was the allegorical emblem, which depicts a dolphin with an anchor. The dolphin symbolized speed, and the anchor symbolized restraint. At the bottom of the emblem there was an inscription: “hurry slowly”
Olympic rings
Appearance time: The Olympic emblem was first introduced in 1920 at the Eighth Summer Olympics in Antwerp.
Where is it used?: One of the most recognizable symbols in the whole world consists of five rings; the uniqueness of the emblem lies in the simplicity of its execution. The rings are arranged in a W-shape and the colors are arranged in strict order: blue, black, red, yellow and green.
What were the meanings: There are several theories about the origin and interpretation of the Olympic Games emblem. The first and main version says that the Olympic rings symbolically depict the unity of the five continents, which was invented by Baron Pierre de Coubertin in 1913.
Before 1951, it was believed that each color corresponded to a different continent. Europe was designated in blue, Africa in black, America in red, Asia in yellow, and Australia in green, but in 1951 they decided to move away from this distribution of colors in order to move away from racial discrimination.
Another version says that the idea of five different colored rings was taken from Carl Jung. During his fascination with Chinese philosophy, he combined the circle (a symbol of greatness and vital energy) with five colors reflecting the types of energies (water, wood, fire, earth and metal).
In 1912, the psychologist introduced a new image of Olympic competitions, because in his opinion, each participant in the Olympic Games had to master each of the five sports - swimming (water - Blue colour), fencing (fire - red), cross-country running (earth - yellow), equestrianism (wood - green) and shooting (metal - black)
The five rings emblem hides a deep meaning that reveals the essence of the sport. It contains the idea of popularizing the Olympic movement, equality of rights for each participating country, fair treatment of athletes, and healthy competition.
Compass and Square
Appearance time: Henry Wilson Coyle in the Masonic Encyclopedia states that the Compass and Square in an interlaced form appeared on the seal of the Aberdeen Lodge in 1762.
Where is it used?: Using a compass and square, you can draw a circle inscribed in a square, and this is a reference to Euclid's seventh problem, squaring the circle. But you should not assume that the Compass and Square necessarily refer you to a mathematical problem; rather, they symbolize a person’s desire to achieve harmony between spiritual and physical nature.
Values: In this emblem, the Compass represents the firmament and the Square represents the Earth. The sky is symbolically associated with the place where the Great Builder of the Universe draws his plan, and the Earth is the place where man carries out his work. The Compass combined with the Square is one of the most common symbols of Freemasonry.
If everything is clear with the name, then the origin of the $ icon still remains a mystery. The following version is considered to be the most similar to the truth: the Spanish abbreviation “P"s”, which once denoted the currency of Spain, the peso. The letter P supposedly retained a vertical line, this made it possible to increase the recording speed, and the letter S remained unchanged. There is also a conspiracy theory, according to which two features are the Pillars of Hercules.
Mars and Venus
Appearance time: The famous sign of Mars ♂ and Venus ♀, borrowed from astrology, was introduced into use by the botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1751 to indicate the sex of plants. From now on, these two symbols are called gender symbols.
Where is it used?: The Venus symbol ♀ denotes the feminine principle and is used to denote a woman, the female gender. Accordingly, the symbol of Mars ♂ represents the masculine principle.
What are the meanings: The first symbols of Mars and Venus appeared in antiquity. The female sign of Venus is depicted as a circle with a cross pointing downwards. Called the “Mirror of Venus,” this sign symbolizes femininity, beauty and love. The male sign of Mars is depicted as a circle with an arrow pointing up and to the right. Mars means the power of the god of war, this symbol is also called the “shield and spear of Mars.” The combined symbols of Venus and Mars mean heterosexuality, love between representatives of different sexes.