Socialist heraldry

Socialist heraldry refers to the style used by communist countries in the design of their emblems. Although often called "coats of arms", most such symbols are not coats of arms in the traditional heraldic sense since they lack key elements such as the escutcheon.

Origins

The Soviet Union, born after the 1917 revolution, needed coats of arms, flags and seals but did not want to use the old heraldic symbols which stemmed from feudalism, which was associated with reactionary tendences.

A whole new style was thus invented, focusing on the ideals of communism: a prosperous society supported by workers.

Characteristics

Socialist heraldry typically makes use of the following symbols:
* Hammer and sickle
* Red and gold (yellow) five-pointed stars
* Ears of grain or other domesticated plant
* Gears
* The rising sun
* Landscapes
* Modern industrial accessories such as electricity pylons

Development

USSR

The great seal of the Soviet Union was the first example of socialist heraldry. It was followed in several countries, particularly in Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia, but not in Cuba which also claimed to be Communist.

Romania

The Socialist Republic of Romania created a new heraldic tradition which proved to be quite controversial. The "State Heraldic committee" combined stylised touristic themes, photographic representations of landscapes with old heraldic figures and modern items such as oil rigs into one whole.

Hungary

In 1974, Hungary replaced the coats of arms of 83 cities with Russian-styled socialist emblems. Centuries-old lions and eagles were replaced by cheering workers, families with toddlers and proud farmer girls reaching for the sun with their fists. All these propaganda themes were crowned by a red star.

Present

With the demise of the USSR and other Communist regimes in Europe, most of their socialist heraldry has been replaced with old pre-communist symbols or by wholly new coats of arms.

The socialist heraldry still goes strong in a number of countries, such as the People's Republic of China. Also the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has a national emblem in pure socialist style, as does Viet Nam.

The National emblem of Belarus is reminiscent of that of the Byelorussian SSR.

The Coat of arms of the Republic of Macedonia is exactly the same as it was in times of the Socialist Republic of Macedonia (a constituent republic of the SFRY).

In Africa there are the emblems of Angola and Mozambique.

In Serbia current symbols are only recommended for use, this is the reason that old Socialist Republic of Serbia Emblem is still of legal power and a part of legal system of Serbia. [Law on the use of the Coat of arms of the Socialist Republic of Serbia (original: Zakon o upotrebi grba Socijalisticke Republike Srbije ("SG SRS", br. 6/1985.)]

This will be the case until the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia pass a Law which will officially adopt the "current" Coat of arms, Flag and the Anthem.

References

* Stephen Slater, "The complete book of Heraldry" London 2002

ee also

* Coat of arms of the German Democratic Republic
* Coat of arms of Laos
* Coats of arms of the Soviet Republics
* Coat of arms of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
* Coats of arms of the Yugoslav Socialist Republics