Emblem of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic

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Armiger
Battle cry
Alternative name(s)
Earliest mention
Adopted	1920
Relinquished
Families
Crest

The Emblem of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR) was the official state symbol of the Russian SFSR, the largest republic within the Soviet Union. It was adopted in 1920 and remained in use until the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, after which it was replaced by the Coat of arms of Russia.

Design and Symbolism

The emblem of the RSFSR was designed to reflect the ideals and values of the Soviet state. It prominently featured the hammer and sickle, a symbol representing the unity of the industrial workers and the peasantry. This emblem was a common motif in Soviet heraldry, symbolizing the alliance between the working class and the peasantry in building a socialist state.

The emblem also included a rising sun, symbolizing the dawn of a new era and the bright future promised by socialism. Surrounding the central elements were sheaves of wheat, representing the agricultural foundation of the Soviet economy and the prosperity that collective farming was intended to bring.

At the bottom of the emblem, a red star was often included, symbolizing the Communist Party's leadership and the guiding light of communism.

Motto

The emblem bore the motto "Пролетарии всех стран, соединяйтесь!" ("Workers of the world, unite!"), which was a rallying cry for international solidarity among the working class. This phrase was a key element of Marxist ideology and was featured on many Soviet emblems and flags.

Historical Context

The emblem was adopted shortly after the Russian Revolution of 1917, during a period of significant political and social upheaval. The Bolsheviks, who had come to power, sought to create a new state identity that reflected their revolutionary ideals. The emblem was part of a broader effort to establish Soviet symbols and iconography that would unify the diverse peoples of the Soviet Union under a common socialist identity.

Evolution and Changes

Over the years, the emblem underwent several modifications, although the core elements remained consistent. The design was standardized in 1920, and minor adjustments were made in subsequent years to align with changes in Soviet policy and aesthetics.

In 1954, the emblem was slightly modified to include the abbreviation "РСФСР" (RSFSR) in the design, further emphasizing the identity of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic within the larger Soviet Union.

Replacement

With the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the emblem of the RSFSR was replaced by the Coat of arms of Russia, which marked a return to pre-revolutionary symbols and a departure from Soviet iconography.

Also see

• Coat of arms of Russia
• Emblem of the Soviet Union
• Hammer and sickle
• Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic
• Soviet Union