The history of heraldry begins with the time of knightly tournaments, when it was possible to recognize the chained knight only from the original image of the coat of arms on the shield. Over time, these insignia, passed from generation to generation, became signs of nobility and valor of the family. Although sometimes on these noble emblems fell the shadow of treachery ... Over the centuries, the fashion for coats of arms has spread to a variety of areas of human life: from noble family to the coats of arms of states, cities, organizations, public structures and institutions. Conditional language, adopted in heraldry, was formed and developed along with world history, acquiring new forms, details, signs of time. In this beautifully illustrated book, you will find comprehensive information about the history, symbolism, and current state of heraldry. A whole section is devoted to Russian heraldry and the All-Russian Heraldic Society .