Re-established in 1991, incorporated in Russia as a non-profit organization in May 1995 (Reg. No. 2757), the Russian College of Heraldry provides excellent heraldic artwork, Russian-style Armorial Diplomas, registration in the Matricula Armorum (Special Part), and a worldwide heraldic service.

     Our College - more customarily called in Latin COLLEGIUM HERALDICUM RUSSIAE (CHR) - was re-established in 1991 under the high patronage of His Imperial Highness The Grand Duke Vladimir Kirillovich (1917-1992), in his capacity then as Head of the Russian Imperial House of Romanov. Being afterwards duly registered with Russia`s Ministry of Justice, the CHR is now the sole non-governmental heraldic body legitimately entitled, in accordance with its Statutes, - "To create, produce, register, and publish coats of arms for individuals and corporations".

     Among numerous splendid pictures of various Armorial Bearings, here on this website you will find the first post-revolutionary full-colour rendition of the Greater Coat of Arms of the Russian Empire, as well as the full blazon (verbal description) of the same, and the historical translation in the following five languages: English, French, German, Italian and Spanish.

     The image of personified Russia presented above - as rendered by Commander Yegorov in December 2004, was inspired by the allegorical female figure which was always depicted on the old Russian Imperial 500 roubles banknote of our 1912 currency. Commander Yegorov has redesigned the image to make it relevant for our present-day purpose, namely: to show that we Russians visualise our beloved Native Land personified as a beautiful maiden. The Imperial double-headed eagle depicted on the shield whereupon Russia the Great reposes her hand, is remarkable. Since 1497, i.e. for the last 513 years, apart from the Soviet period, the double-headed eagle has been the emblem of the Russian State. The Latin inscription in the cartouche "Pro Fide, Rege et Patria" means "For the Faith, the Tsar and the Native Country".

     The Russian College of Heraldry has two websites (see other URL below). They are similar in structure and design, but are intended to have different content. We kindly invite you to visit both. Please be patient when downloading the graphics pages; we believe that they are worth the wait.

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