The Dmitrov coat of arms with four golden crowns on ermine fur is one of the most recognizable and noble among the historical coats of arms of towns in the Moscow region. Approved by Empress Catherine the Great on December 20, 1781, it commemorates the great princely congress of 1301. Today, the vector coat of arms of Dmitrov is in demand by designers, local historians, entrepreneurs, and municipal institutions. This article provides the complete history, heraldic analysis, comparison tables with other coats of arms, and answers the key question: where to download the coat of arms in vector format for free and legally.
If you need a high‑quality vector file for printing, a website, or branding – follow the link at the end of the article. We have collected all official formats (AI, EPS, SVG).
1. Historical context: how the Dmitrov coat of arms appeared in 1781
During Catherine the Great’s municipal reform, every district town was required to have its own coat of arms. On December 20, 1781, the Empress approved 18 coats of arms for towns of the Moscow Governorate, including Dmitrov. The developer was Heraldmaster Alexander Andreevich Volkov – the creator of the standard system of territorial heraldry in Russia. The official document is the Complete Collection of Laws of the Russian Empire (No. 15 304). Unlike many “canting” arms (Klin – horseshoe, Kolomna – column), Volkov chose a deep historical narrative for Dmitrov.
2. Official heraldic description (original of 1781)
“In the upper part of the shield is the coat of arms of Moscow; in the lower part – on ermine fur, four golden princely crowns with purple caps, as a sign that in this town a congress of four princes took place.”
Heraldic breakdown:
- Shield – French shape (rectangle with a point at the bottom).
- Upper part (chief) – coat of arms of Moscow Governorate: Saint George the Victorious slaying the dragon.
- Lower field – ermine fur (white with black tails) as a symbol of supreme imperial power.
- Four golden crowns with purple caps – sign of princely dignity.
- Arrangement – 2 crowns above, 2 below.
3. Symbolism and the real historical event: the congress of four princes in Dmitrov (1301)
In 1301, a unique congress of four powerful princes of North‑Eastern Rus took place in Dmitrov:
- Andrey Alexandrovich Gorodetsky (Grand Prince of Vladimir).
- Mikhail Yaroslavich of Tver.
- Ivan Dmitrievich of Pereslavl.
- Daniil Alexandrovich of Moscow (father of Ivan Kalita).
They agreed on joint actions against the Golden Horde and the division of spheres of influence. This event became a prototype of the unity of Russian lands. The four crowns on the coat of arms directly refer to these princes. Ermine fur – an extremely rare element for a district town – emphasises Dmitrov’s special status and recalls that the congress took place with the participation of grand princes, holders of supreme power. Purple (porphyry) on the crowns’ caps is the colour of Byzantine emperors and Russian tsars.
4. Evolution of the Dmitrov coat of arms: from 1781 to the present day
Over 240 years, the coat of arms has undergone changes but has returned to its historical pattern.
| Period / author | Upper part | Lower part | Additional elements | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1781 (A. Volkov) | Coat of arms of Moscow (St. George) | 4 golden crowns on ermine fur | none | Approved by Catherine II |
| 1883 (B. Koehne, heraldic reform) | Moscow coat of arms moved to a “free part” (corner of shield) | 4 crowns, ermine, shield topped with a mural crown | Alexander ribbon, crossed hammers (industry symbol) | Approved by Alexander III |
| 1991–2006 | 1781 coat restored without extra decorations | historical pattern | version without crown | Municipal symbol |
| 2007 – present (modern) | Coat of arms of Moscow Governorate | 4 golden crowns on ermine | Status mural crown permitted for the urban district | Entered into the Heraldic Register of the Russian Federation (No. 4167) |
5. Comparison of the Dmitrov coat of arms with coats of arms of other Moscow region towns (approved in 1781)
In 1781, A. Volkov designed coats of arms for 18 towns of the Moscow region. Dmitrov stands out by the exceptional use of ermine fur – a symbol of monarchical power.
| Town | Year of approval | Basis of the coat of arms | Unique detail / rarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dmitrov | 1781 | Congress of four princes (4 crowns) | Ermine fur + four crowns (none other in Moscow Governorate has this) |
| Klin | 1781 | Road sign – horseshoe (symbol of a postal station) | Represented road duty |
| Serpukhov | 1781 | Peacock – symbol of the Vysotsky Monastery | Exotic bird in Russian heraldry |
| Kolomna | 1781 | Column (canting arms) | Wordplay: “kolo” (circle) + “omna” (name) |
| Mozhaysk | 1781 | 6 stars and cannons (defence) | Military theme |
Main conclusion: the Dmitrov coat of arms is the only one in the Moscow Governorate that uses ermine fur, placing it on a par with the arms of former princely capitals (e.g., the coat of arms of Veliky Novgorod).
6. Modern applications of the vector Dmitrov coat of arms
Digital vector files (SVG, AI, EPS, CDR) are needed for:
- Official use – administrative letterheads, seals, signs, awards.
- Business branding – “Dmitrov quality”, regional identity on packaging, souvenirs, tourist maps.
- Design and printing – business cards, booklets, banners, merch (T‑shirts, mugs).
- Education – school boards, local history presentations, online courses on Moscow region history.
- Web development – icons on official websites, news portals, mobile excursion apps.
7. Where to download the vector Dmitrov coat of arms: resource overview (free and paid)
We have analysed 6 sources and selected the best options for vector download.
- photolessons.org – free SVG and AI, heraldic clipart catalogue, up‑to‑date versions 2024–2025.
- Official portal of Dmitrov urban district – Regulation on the coat of arms with the reference image (PDF + raster file, rarely vector).
Important: always check the downloaded file against the official description from the Heraldic Register of the Russian Federation (No. 4167) and the local decision of the Council of Deputies dated 07.02.2007 No. 4/10‑P.
8. Comparison of available vector file formats of the Dmitrov coat of arms
| Format | Editability | Best for | Typical size |
|---|---|---|---|
| SVG | XML code, scalable, editable in Illustrator/Inkscape | Websites, icons, responsive graphics | 50–200 KB |
| AI | Full vector structure (Adobe Illustrator) | Printing, professional design, banners | 1–5 MB |
| EPS | Universal vector, opens in CorelDRAW, Inkscape | Typography, signage, large formats | 2–8 MB |
| CDR | CorelDRAW native | Specific projects for laser cutting, outdoor advertising | 1–4 MB |
9. Legal aspects: can the Dmitrov coat of arms be used commercially?
The coat of arms of the city of Dmitrov is an official symbol of the municipal formation “Dmitrov Urban District”. Its use is regulated by:
- Federal Constitutional Law “On the State Coat of Arms of the Russian Federation” (general principles).
- Decision of the Council of Deputies of Dmitrov Municipal District of 07.02.2007 No. 4/10‑P “On approving the Regulation on the coat of arms”.
- Article 6 of the Moscow Region Law on coats of arms of municipalities.
Rules: The image of the coat of arms may be reproduced in multicolour, single‑colour, and three‑dimensional versions. It is forbidden to distort the pattern, change the colour scheme (crowns – only gold, fur – ermine, caps – purple), or add extraneous elements. For commercial use (merchandise, advertising) it is advisable to obtain permission from the administration, but for informational and historical projects authorisation is usually not required as long as the symbol is not disrespected.
10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the vector Dmitrov coat of arms
❓ What do the four crowns on the Dmitrov coat of arms mean?
The four golden crowns symbolise the congress of four Russian princes in 1301: Andrey of Gorodets, Mikhail of Tver, Ivan of Pereslavl, and Daniil of Moscow. That event was an important step toward unifying the lands against the threat of the Horde.
❓ Why is ermine fur used on the Dmitrov coat of arms?
In heraldry, ermine fur is a symbol of imperial, supreme power. Its use emphasises that Dmitrov hosted grand princes – bearers of sovereign authority. Moreover, the fur indicates the monarch’s special patronage.
❓ Who is the author of the 1781 Dmitrov coat of arms?
Heraldmaster Alexander Andreevich Volkov, commissioned by Catherine the Great. He designed the system of coats of arms for all towns of the Moscow Governorate, including Dmitrov.
❓ Where can I download a high‑quality vector of the Dmitrov coat of arms for free?
Free SVG files are available on Wikimedia Commons and YourSticker.ru. For professional AI/EPS/CDR formats, visit kiriyak.ru or Geraldika.ru. Follow the direct link from our article (button below) to get a selection of verified files without distortion.
❓ Can I use the Dmitrov coat of arms on T‑shirts or in advertising?
Yes, provided you do not distort the image or violate the requirements of the Regulation on the coat of arms. For mass production of souvenirs, it is recommended to notify the urban district administration – this protects you from claims.
❓ What is the difference between the 1883 version (Koehne) and the modern one?
Koehne’s version added a mural crown above the shield, the Alexander ribbon, and crossed hammers, while the Moscow coat of arms was moved to a “free part” (corner). The modern coat of arms (since 1991) has returned to the concise pattern of 1781 – without the ribbon and hammers.
12. Ready to download the official vector coat of arms of Dmitrov?
We have collected the most recent and canonically correct versions of the coat of arms of the city of Dmitrov (1781) in SVG, AI, EPS, and CDR formats, approved by the heraldic commission of the Moscow Region. The files are suitable for laser engraving, screen printing, digital printing, and web design.
13. Conclusion: why the 1781 Dmitrov coat of arms is more than just an emblem
The vector coat of arms of Dmitrov carries the memory of Old Russian unity, rare heraldic aesthetics, and high practical value for modern design. By using it in your projects, you touch a history that no other town in the Moscow region possesses. Four crowns on ermine – a recognisable, noble, and powerful brand symbol. Download the vector now and add a true historical charm to your work.
Click the button below to instantly receive the vector archive plus a bonus: official CMYK/Pantone colour codes for flawless printing:
VECTOR COAT OF ARMS OF DMITROV3 MBWas this helpful?
