For many centuries, the coat of arms has been a distinctive symbol of the clan, city, country. Images of the coat of arms were carefully thought out, as it was supposed to indicate the basic qualities and values of one kind or another. Each city has its own distinctive sign that adorns the flag, official documents. And Saratov is no exception.
Instruction manual
1
The current emblem of the city of Saratov was officially adopted and approved by the relevant law of the Saratov region on the emblem and flag on September 5, 1996 by decision of the Saratov Regional Duma. Chapter two of this law contains the necessary information about the description, purpose and possible use of the coat of arms. So it is a azure shield with three silver sterlets depicted on it, which converge into a forked cross. The shield was surrounded by a frame of golden oak leaves, intertwined with St. Andrew's ribbon in blue.
2
The basis of the modern coat of arms of Saratov was taken the coat of arms, approved in the eighteenth century. More precisely, on August 23, 1781, during the reign of Empress Catherine the Second. She even signed a special highest decree on the coat of arms of Saratov. The description of the main symbol of the city also contained information on the sterlet inflicted on it, which indicated the country's abundance of sturgeon fish - the main wealth of the great Volga.
3
In 2001, the description of the coat of arms changed slightly from the 1996 edition: the color of the shield (pentagonal, French) was indicated as azure, blue. As before, there are three sterlets here, but above the shield appeared a golden earth crown with five visible teeth and a decorative wreath with intertwined oak leaves, laurel leaves and ears of wheat, symbolizing strength, stamina, courage, hospitality and hard work of people living in Saratov land peoples, natural wealth of the region. However, the crown and oak leaves were also on the coat of arms of the Saratov province of the Russian Empire, adopted in 1778. There they are now.
4
Lawmakers of our time did not interfere in history, modifying the historical emblem and its semantic load. Sterlets on the official symbol of Saratov were present on the coats of arms of all eras, because they were not accidental on it. For centuries, these representatives of the sturgeon family have been the most popular commercial fish caught in the largest river in Europe - the Volga. A few centuries ago, the Volga sterlet was sent in tons to different parts of our vast country, imported into neighboring states. Today, sterlet is also the most popular commercial fish. In the Volga basins there are special farms engaged in sturgeon breeding, including sterlet. As for her presence on the coat of arms of Saratov, in addition to the wealth of fish abundance, the sterlet also symbolizes the purity of the Volga and all the small rivers of the region.
