The flag and coat of arms of the Kursk region are its official symbols. Each figure and color depicted on them has its own meaning and historical basis.
Area flag
The modern flag of the Kursk region was approved in 1996, its colors refer to the flag of Russia of the XIX century. Raise the flag during important and memorable events relating to the area.
On a rectangular panel there are five colored stripes. The first and last stripes are red. The size of the strips is 2/7 of the total width of the panel. Between them are three equal stripes of white, yellow and black. Their width is 1/7 of the width of the flag. In the center of the canvas is the coat of arms of the Kursk region, framed by oak leaves and crowned with a golden crown.
Red stripes are symbols of courage, courage, which the inhabitants of the region showed, protecting their lands from enemies. A white or silver stripe is a symbol of purity and good thoughts. This color is also placed on the historical coat of arms of the region. Black and yellow stripes characterize the region itself. Black color symbolizes fertile soils, yellow - wheat fields.
Coat of arms of the Kursk region: description
The coat of arms of the French type, painted in silver. On a diagonal from left to right it is crossed by a blue or azure band, which depicts three flying partridges. Birds with spread wings are deployed to the left.
Golden oak leaves frame the coat of arms, they are wrapped in azure ribbon. Above the shield is a large imperial crown of gold color. Oak leaves and a crown at the top are connected by red ribbons.
History reference
The official coat of arms of the Kursk region was approved in 1996. The basis for it was the coat of arms of the Kursk province, which operated since 1878. However, the symbol of the province was not original, the same emblem for a long time served as a symbol of the city of Kursk.
During archaeological excavations in Pskov, a copper casting was found, which depicted a coat of arms with flying partridges and the inscription "Kursk 1700 city". The city symbol was officially approved in 1730 by Catherine II.
The coat of arms of the city has changed several times. In 1859, instead of oak leaves, golden ears of corn, intertwined with a red ribbon, were depicted, and at the top of the shield was a walled crown. During the Soviet Union, a picture appeared under the ribbon with birds, symbolizing the industrial power of Kursk, and on top of it was the name of the city.
In the 90s of the XX century, the symbol of the industrial bias of the city disappeared. The shield was framed by green oak leaves intertwined with a ribbon painted in the colors of the Russian flag. In 1996, it was decided to return the coat of arms to its original historical appearance.
Coat of arms
The silver color of the coat of arms symbolizes spiritual purity. Oak leaves in heraldry are symbols of wisdom, inflexibility and firmness. This symbol was depicted on all regional emblems of Russia in the 19th century. The blue or azure sling on the shield is a symbol of the Kur River, near which Kursk is located.
Images of three partridges are interpreted as a connection with a long, still pagan history. Many historians and archaeologists support the claim that Slavic tribes living in the Kursk region were worshipers of the cult of Svarog.
The pagan god Svarog was the patron saint of blacksmiths. He was often depicted with a bird on his head - with a falcon or a stork. Researchers attribute the image on the coat of arms of partridges, not falcons, to the wide distribution of these birds in the European part of Russia.
Svarog was one of the three Triglav gods. This was the name of the unity of Svarog, Perun and Svyatovit, representing heaven, earth and the underworld. Therefore, it is precisely three birds depicted on the emblem of the region.