2025, vol. 13, no. 4. Belyakov A.V.

2025, vol. 13, no. 4, pp. 785-805

DOI: https://doi.org/10.22378/2313-6197.2025-13-4.785-805

EDN: https://elibrary.ru/FTFEPP

   ONCE AGAIN ON THE KAZAN COAT OF ARMS: THE SEMIOTICS
OF THE DRAGON IN THE RUSSIAN LANDS OF THE 15th–17th CENTURIES

A.V. Belyakov
Institute of Russian History of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Moscow, Russian Federation
belafeb@yandex.ru

Abstract. Purpose of the study: To analyze the physical monuments depicting dragons that had not previously been considered in the context of the origin of the coat of arms of Kazan and the formation of the state symbols of the Russian Empire.
Research materials: These include Russian coins, private seals, stove tiles, military banners, and 15th–17th century bas-reliefs depicting dragons.
Results and scientific novelty: The attraction of new physical monuments of the 15th–17th centuries depicting dragons allowed us to significantly rethink the semiotics of dragon images in the Russian culture of the period under review and to express a new version of the reasons for the choice and significance of this particular plot for the Kazan coat of arms.
It is here demonstrated that in addition to the evil symbol previously attributed to dragons, these images denoted the sovereign/tsar. These ideas were firmly established not only in court circles, but also among the wider population of the state. This, in particular, is evidenced by the numerous seal rings with the image of dragons. These fantastic animals, along with foot and horse warriors, fierce beasts, unicorns, birds and double-headed eagles, were considered proto-heraldic symbols of the Russian monarch in the 15th–17th centuries. Their penetration from the court environment into the broad masses of the people was caused by the need of some of the subjects of the Orthodox sovereign to identify themselves as his servants. However, after the dragon became the symbol of Kazan/Of the Kazan Kingdom, it was beginning to lose its national significance.

Keywords: coat of arms of Kazan, Russian state of 15th–17th centuries, sphragistics, heraldry, numismatics

For citation: Belyakov A.V. Once Again on the Kazan Coat of Arms: the Semiotics of the Dragon in the Russian Lands of the 15th–17th centuries. Zolotoordynskoe obozrenie = Golden Horde Review. 2025, vol. 13, no. 4, pp. 785–805. https://doi.org/10.22378/2313-6197.2025-13-4.785-805 (In Russian)

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Andrey V. Belyakov – Dr. Sci. (History), Leading Research Fellow, Institute of Russian History of the Russian Academy of Sciences (19, Dm. Ulyanov Str., Moscow 117292, Russian Federation); ORCID: 0000-0001-8588-9192. E-mail: belafeb@yandex.ru

Received  31.07.2025
Revised  20.10.2025
Accepted  02.12.2025