Symbols of Rezekne

In 2000 Rezekne City Council took a decision on the approval of the city symbols. The councillors voted for the version of Rezekne emblem that was accepted during the first freedom of Latvia.

Since several old emblems of populated places were not corresponding to the idea of the independent country, in 1923 the special heraldry commission was set. At this time the griffin, holding the sword (depicted on the left side), was the official symbol of Latgale. The same griffin (the desire to consider itself to be the heart and capital city of Latgale) took central place on the emblem of Rezekne city in 1925. There, on the azure background, the golden (yellow) griffin – ancient mythological creature with the lion’s body and eagle’s wings – was depicted on the emblem.

The griffin is enormous and fierce creature. It often has the function of the preserver of gold in mythology. It is the symbol of mightiness, power and speed. In truth, according to the rules of heraldic, the griffin is depicted with the sword, but on the emblem of Rezekne the sword was changed to the shield in the colours of Latvian flag, emphasizing the city’s identity with the state. The azure background, according to the rules of heraldic, means generosity, honesty, loyalty and perfection.

In the 70s of 20th century Rezekne acquires new emblem, however, it is indicative for the existing situation. On the upper part of Latvian SSR flag there was the pitch-wheel, reaping-hook and the hammer, but below – the ancient candle stick and on the top on white background there was the inscription “Rēzekne”. The author of the emblem was Uldis Ozoliņš.

Irrespective of some contravention of heraldic rules (the state flag as the background) the emblem of Soviet time included the definite information: Rezekne was the industrial city where the traditional activities were preserved. Nevertheless, this emblem was not widely spread.

The first emblem of Režica was certified on 21st September, 1781, together with other cities’ emblems of Polocka vicegerents. The pre-messenger of emblem’s confirmation was the government bidding on 7th November, 1775, about the beginning of reform of local municipalities in the whole Russia Empire, and it was signed by Catherine II. This decree introduced new administrative division in Russia.

Vladimirs Nikonovs in his book on Rezekne history gives the following description of Režica emblem – “it consists of one decussated shield with black two headed eagle on golden background in its upper part. The eagle is crowned by two enormous at sight crowns and third imperator’s crown that represents mercy of higher mightiness towards corresponding inhabitants. On the lower part of the shield there is a chase on the “stoat field” – galloping cavalier with aweigh sword. The proportion of the shield lower part is the following: on the “stoat field” the silvered armed cavalier with aweigh sword and round shield; the saddle on the silver horse is purple and covered with three-parted golden mantle with azure fringe.”

In the 50s of 19th century one more Režica emblem was developed, however, for some reasons it was not officially approved. Alexander II, in desire to make the emblems of the cities visually complete and to shape them according to the European rules of heraldic, charged B.Ķēne (1817-1886), the chief of Senate Heraldic department, to develop the principally new system of emblem formation and to survey the existing emblems of the cities. He fulfilled his duty brilliantly – he developed the logical system of unification of the cities’ emblems.
In accordance with the version of B.Ķēne, Režica emblem should have looked like the following: the silver shield is splashed by stoat tails, in the spare part – the emblem of Vitebsk province. The shield is crested by the silvered tower crown, along its edges the golden spikes, which are tied up by the ribbon of Alexandria.

The silver colour is the symbol of purity and innocence, God’s mercy and honesty. The stoat tails is the symbol of power. The tower crown testified about the status of City County. The golden spikes which are tied up by the ribbon of Alexandria showed that farming and bread merchandise was well developed in Režica. For unknown reasons this emblem was not officially approved.