Symbols of the Rurikids

The symbols of the Rurikids are the heraldic charges used by the Rurikid knyazes of the Kievan Rus' used to denote property rights over various items. They are depicted on punches, seals, and coins of the Rurikids. In contrast to noble coats of arms, such emblems did not belong to whole families or kins, but were personal symbols: every knyaz had his own “coat of arms”.

The first information on the heraldic symbols of Rus’ knyazes derives from the middle of the 10th century. Ebn Meskavayh, in his description of the Rus’ campaign against Barda in 943-944, noted that the Rus’, when taking ransom for prisoners, left their symbol in the form of a piece of clay with a seal, so that the former prisoner would be handled no more. What sort of symbol was depicted on the seal is unknown; it is possible that it might have been the coat of arms of Igor of Kiev, who reigned in those years. It is also unknown whether these Rus’ belonged to the army of Igor, since ancient Rus’ chronicles are silent regarding the campaign against Barda.

Further information on such types of stamps is found in the Primary Chronicle, which discusses the campaign of Olga of Kiev in the north: “In the summer of 6455 [947 C.E.] Olga went to Novgorod and established over the Msta pogosts and tribute, and over the Luga dues and tribute; and her hunting grounds were over all lands and signs and places and pogosts.” The word “signs” here refers to the symbols marking the knyaz’s property. Russkaya Pravda testifies that this word means an item marked with the knyaz’s symbol. In Russkaya Pravda there are also other references to the sphere of the knyaz’s emblems: “But for the knyaz’s horse, which has a mark, 3 grivĭnas.” Undoubtedly, by the word “mark” one is to understand “the knyaz’s (stamp)”.

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