Coat of arms of Kiev

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Coat of Arms of Kiev

The Coat of Arms of Kiev (Kyiv) features Archangel Michael, wielding a flaming sword and a shield in an azure field.

The coat of arms traces its history back to the medieval principality of Kievan Rus', where Archangel Michael was depicted on the seals used by the Kievan grand princes. Initially the coat of arms of Kiev featured saint George fighting a dragon on an azure field and this today remains the coat of arms of the Kiev Oblast. In the 16th century a coat consisting of Archangel Michael clad in white robes, holding a sword and a scabbard on a red field was adopted for the Kijów Voivodship.

In 1487 along with Magdeburg rights the city of Kiev received a coat of arms consisting of a hand holding a crossbow.

In 1782 a new coat of arms was approved by the order of Catherine II of Russia. In the order the coat of arms is described as "Archangel Michael in a short tunic on an azure field". Later on it was decorated with an imperial crown and other ornaments. No original image of the coat has been recovered up to day. There are a few drawings of the coat made in our days based on the description in Catherine's order.

In 1918 during the short time of Ukrainian independence a coat was adopted containing both Archangel Michael and the crossbow as well as a trident from the Coat of arms of Ukraine, emphasizing the city role as the nations capital.

In 1957 a coat was introduced with chestnut leafs and a crossbow on the red-azure field, containing the word КИЇВ (KYIV in Ukrainian), and such Soviet symbolics as hammer and sickle and Hero City medal.

In May of 1995 the Kiev City Council restored the original coat of arms of the city with Archangel Michael.