Leo is the main figure of the city coat of arms of Lviv. Where does the story of Leo in this city begin? What does the coat of arms of Lviv mean?
Leo city
The city existed as far back as the 13th century, the first mentions in written sources date back to 1256. In those days, the western Ukrainian lands were part of the Galicia-Volyn principality, whose king was Danilo.
In the XIII century Danilo founded many cities, it is believed that Lviv was one of them. The Galician ruler named the city in honor of his son Leo and made it the capital of the principality. Lviv is located on seven hills, just like Rome.
Important trade routes passed through the city. Therefore, Lviv very quickly became a cultural and commercial European capital. Merchants from different parts of the world gathered at the market square.
Throughout its history, the city has been ruled by many states. Poland, Germany, Austria, Russia at some time included Lviv in their lands. Each of these countries left its mark here.
Coat of arms of Lviv
The coat of arms is the official symbol of the city. There is a Small and Big Coat of Arms of Lviv. The Small Coat of Arms depicts a gold-colored lion, which is located in the arch of the city gate. Leo steps to the right side, his front paw is slightly raised.
The gates are part of the fortress walls of the Old Castle; they have neither bars nor doors. At their top are three towers. The whole composition is on a blue background of the coat of arms.
The base of the Great Coat of Arms is a shield with a plot depicted on the Small Coat of Arms. On top of it is an urban silver crown with three prongs.
On one side of the coat of arms is a lion with a crown on its head. He stands on his hind legs, and holds the shield with two front legs. On the other hand is a warrior.
At the bottom of the coat of arms is a trident and a yellow-blue ribbon curls.
Coat of arms
Leo is the main figure placed on the coat of arms of Lviv. What does this symbol mean for the city? First of all, a lion is a “speaking” or “vowel” heraldic symbol, since it is directly related to the name of the city.
In heraldry, the lion testifies to the nobility, strength and generosity. The city emblem depicts a “rising” lion - such a pose for this animal in heraldry is most often found.
Gold color speaks of wealth and justice. This color symbolizes the sun or the monarch, so he was often present in the symbolism of the ruling dynasties.
The blue background is a symbol of greatness, purity and sky.
The large coat of arms of the city appeared much later. The ribbon and trident below the shield are the national Ukrainian symbols, which mean the unity and unity of the country.
Coat of arms of Lviv: history
From the beginning of the founding of the city, the lion was considered its main symbol. In addition, he was considered a symbol of the ruling dynasty of the Galician princes Romanovich. The figure of a lion was depicted on household items and on princely seals. In some documents, the Galicia-Volyn principality was referred to as the Kingdom of Lviv.
Already in the XIV century, the lion was depicted on seals, flags and emblems near the castle, which had one or three towers. At first, the lion was depicted climbing on a rock, and on his head was a golden crown.
To use the coat of arms of Lviv in all business documents, to freely depict it in paintings and architectural structures, was officially authorized by King Sigismund in 1526, when the lands were under Polish rule. Since then, the figure of a lion has become not just a territorial symbol, but also a trademark of the city, which artisans put on their products.
The Pope in 1586 gives personal permission to use the coat of arms. True, changes were made to it: in the clutches of a lion held a star with eight rays and three hillocks. During the First World War, the city was part of Poland, and a red-black ribbon with the motto in Latin “Always Faithful” was added to the coat of arms.
In Soviet times, castle towers became red, and on the middle appeared an image of a sickle and a hammer. In 1990, the coat of arms was restored to its historical appearance.