Emblem of the Abkhaz Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic

{{ infobox

| above = Emblem of the Abkhaz ASSR | abovestyle = background-color: #369; color: white | headerstyle = background-color: #369; color: white | belowstyle = font-size:85%; text-align:left;border-top:1px solid #c0c0c0;padding-top:0.75em;

| image = {{#if:Emblem of the Abkhaz ASSR.svg|[[File:Emblem of the Abkhaz ASSR.svg|image=Emblem of the Abkhaz ASSR.svg|size=|alt=|sizedefault=frameless}} | caption =

| header1 = {{#if:|Versions{{infobox|child=yes

 | image1 = {{#if:Emblem of the Abkhaz ASSR.svg|[[File:Emblem of the Abkhaz ASSR.svg|image=|size=|alt=|sizedefault=frameless|upright=0.5}}
 | caption1 = 
 | image2 = {{#if:Emblem of the Abkhaz ASSR.svg|[[File:Emblem of the Abkhaz ASSR.svg|image=|size=|alt=|sizedefault=frameless|upright=0.5}}
 | caption2 = 
 | image3 = {{#if:Emblem of the Abkhaz ASSR.svg|[[File:Emblem of the Abkhaz ASSR.svg|image=|size=|alt=|sizedefault=frameless|upright=0.5}}
 | caption3 = 
 | image4 = {{#if:Emblem of the Abkhaz ASSR.svg|[[File:Emblem of the Abkhaz ASSR.svg|image=|size=|alt=|sizedefault=frameless|upright=0.5}}
 | caption4 =
 | image5 = {{#if:Emblem of the Abkhaz ASSR.svg|[[File:Emblem of the Abkhaz ASSR.svg|image=|size=|alt=|sizedefault=frameless|upright=0.5}}
 | caption5 =
 }}

}}

| header2 =

| label3 = Armiger | data3 = | label4 = Battle cry | data4 = | label5 = Alternative name(s) | data5 = | label6 = Earliest mention | data6 = | label7 = Adopted | data7 = 1978 | label8 = Relinquished | data8 = | label9 = Families | data9 = | label10 = Crest | data10 = | label11 = Cities | data11 = | label12 = Divisions | data12 = | label13 = Torse | data13 = | label14 = Helmet | data14 = | label15 = Shield | data15 = | label16 = Supporters | data16 = | label17 = Compartment | data17 = | label18 = Motto | data18 = | label19 = Order(s) | data19 = | label20 = Badge | data20 = | label21 = Other elements | data21 = | label22 = Constituent parts | data22 = | label23 = Earlier version(s) | data23 = | label24 = Predecessor(s) | data24 = | label25 = Use | data25 = | label26 = Designer | data26 = | below =

}}

The Emblem of the Abkhaz Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic was the official symbol of the Abkhaz ASSR, a constituent republic of the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic within the Soviet Union. The emblem was adopted in 1978 and remained in use until the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Design and Symbolism

The emblem of the Abkhaz ASSR was designed in accordance with the principles of socialist heraldry, which were common among the emblems of the Soviet republics. The emblem featured the following elements:

• Red Star: Positioned at the top of the emblem, the red star symbolized the Communist Party and the unity of the Soviet republics.
• Hammer and Sickle: These symbols were placed prominently in the center, representing the unity of the workers and peasants.
• Sunrise: The rising sun depicted a bright future and the dawn of a new era under socialism.
• Wheat and Corn: These agricultural elements flanked the central symbols, highlighting the importance of agriculture in the economy of the Abkhaz ASSR.
• Blue Waves: Representing the Black Sea, which is geographically significant to Abkhazia.
• Inscription: The emblem included inscriptions in both the Georgian and Abkhaz languages, reflecting the ethnic composition of the region. The inscriptions read "Аҧсны АССР" (Abkhaz) and "აფხაზეთის ასსრ" (Georgian), both meaning "Abkhaz ASSR."

Historical Context

The Abkhaz ASSR was established in 1931 as an autonomous republic within the Georgian SSR. The adoption of its emblem in 1978 was part of a broader effort to standardize the symbols of the Soviet republics while allowing for regional variations that reflected local characteristics and languages.

The emblem was used on official documents, government buildings, and publications. It served as a symbol of the Abkhaz ASSR's identity within the Soviet Union, while also emphasizing its connection to the larger Soviet state.

Dissolution and Legacy

With the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Abkhaz ASSR ceased to exist, and its emblem was replaced by new symbols reflecting the changing political landscape. The region of Abkhazia declared independence from Georgia, leading to ongoing conflict and disputes over its status.

The emblem of the Abkhaz ASSR remains a historical symbol, representing a specific period in the region's history under Soviet rule.

Also see

• Emblem of the Soviet Union
• Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic
• Abkhazia
• Socialist heraldry