Ukrainian Coat of Arms: Decoding the Enigmatic Tryzub

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The Ukrainian coat of arms, the tryzub, is a blue shield with a gold trident. It is one of the official state symbols of Ukraine and appears on the presidential standard, passports, currency, and many other places.

But where does this ancient sign come from, and what does it mean? The tryzub carries deep historical roots and reflects the identity and spirit of the Ukrainian people today. On my private guide tours of Kyiv. I often share stories about Ukraine’s legacy and symbols. In this article, I invite you to discover the origin and meaning of the tryzub.

1. The Tryzub: a Thousand-Year-Old Legacy

The tryzub is not a modern creation. Its history goes back more than a thousand years to the time of Kyivan Rus, a powerful medieval state with its capital in Kyiv city. This state stretched from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea and included much of present-day Ukraine, as well as parts of today’s Russia and Belarus.

The trident, or tryzub, was first used as a personal symbol by Volodymyr the Great, the Grand Prince of Kyiv who unified the Rus lands and introduced Christianity in 988.

He inherited the sign from his father, Sviatoslav Igorovych, who may have adopted it from the Khazars, a Turkic people that once ruled parts of Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

The tryzub appeared on gold and silver coins minted by Volodymyr and his sons, Sviatopolk I and Yaroslav the Wise.

Archaeologists have also found it stamped on bricks from the Church of the Tithes in Kyiv. It is important to note that the trident of Volodymyr the Great was not a coat of arms in his time.

The trident served as his personal mark, used to stamp coins and claim lands. The name tryzub appeared much later, in the 19th century, when researchers found the symbol on ancient coins during excavations. Without these coins, we would know almost nothing about the sign, since medieval chronicles do not mention it.

But what does the tryzub actually mean? Scholars have proposed more than 40 different theories, yet none are conclusive. Some believe it shows a falcon in flight, others see a bow with arrows, while some argue it hides a coded word. The true meaning remains open to interpretation.

2. The Tryzub: a National Emblem of Ukraine

The tryzub was not always used as Ukraine’s national emblem. For centuries, it disappeared from public life or was suppressed by foreign rulers, who replaced it with their own symbols and flags.

It returned in 1917, after the fall of the Russian Empire. Ukrainian historian and politician Mykhailo Hrushevskyi, proposed adopting the trident as the state coat of arms of the Ukrainian People’s Republic (UNR). The symbol was chosen to represent the country’s independence and democratic aspirations.

On February 25, 1918, the Central Rada (parliament) approved Hrushevskyi’s proposal and declared the tryzub as the official coat of arms of Ukraine.

The design was created by Vasyl Krychevskyi, a famous Ukrainian artist and architect. He simplified and stylized the ancient trident into a modern geometric shape that reflected the artistic trends of his time.

That same year, the tryzub appeared as the central element on the 100-hryvnia banknote. This was a deliberate choice to highlight Ukraine’s heritage and affirm its cultural identity. As the banknote entered circulation, the trident quickly became familiar to people across the newly independent nation.

3. Popularity of Tryzub Among Ukrainians

The tryzub quickly gained popularity among Ukrainians, who saw it as a link to their historical roots and national aspirations. It appeared on banknotes, stamps, posters, flags, uniforms, monuments, and buildings. Artists, writers, poets, musicians, and activists also embraced it in their works and movements.

However, the UNR did not last long. It was soon crushed by Bolshevik forces who established Soviet rule over most of Ukraine. The tryzub was banned by the Soviet authorities who replaced it with their own symbols: a hammer and sickle over a rising sun.

At that moment, when Ukraine faced Russian occupation, the trident became a powerful emblem of the nation’s struggle for independence and freedom.

The tryzub returned in 1991 when Ukraine declared its independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union. On February 19, 1992, the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) officially adopted it as the small coat of arms of Ukraine.

The Constitution of Ukraine also provides for a great coat of arms, which would combine the tryzub with the coat of arms of the Zaporizhian Host, a Cossack polity that existed in the 16th–18th centuries. However, this larger version has not yet been officially adopted.

4. The Tryzub: a Living Symbol of Freedom

The tryzub is not just a historical or official symbol. It is also a living symbol that reflects the identity and spirit of the Ukrainian people in the present reality. It is a symbol of unity and diversity, as it represents the common heritage and destiny of Ukrainians from different regions, languages, religions, and backgrounds.

It represents dignity and freedom, showing the determination of Ukrainians to protect their sovereignty and democracy against both external aggression and internal challenges. The trident is also a symbol of hope and creativity. It inspires Ukrainians to face difficulties with resilience and to build a better future.

5. The Tryzub in Modern Struggles and Revolutions

The tryzub has played a powerful role in Ukraine’s recent history. In 2004, during the Orange Revolution, millions of Ukrainians wore orange ribbons or clothing with the tryzub to protest against electoral fraud and demand fair and free elections.

 In 2013-2014, during the Euromaidan Revolution, thousands carried flags and banners with the trident while calling for closer ties with Europe and the removal of a corrupt regime.

From 2014 onward, as the war in Donbas and Crimea unfolded, Ukrainian soldiers and volunteers fought under the trident to defend the country’s territory and security.

In 2022, when Russia launched a full-scale invasion, the trident became the ultimate symbol of resistance and courage. It appeared on uniforms, vehicles, weapons, and helmets of the defenders. Millions of civilians also displayed it proudly, showing unity and determination to protect Ukraine’s independence.

The tryzub has also become a sign of international support for Ukraine. Foreign leaders, politicians, celebrities, activists, journalists, artists, athletes, and ordinary people around the world have worn or displayed the trident to show solidarity.

For many, the tryzub is a reminder of Ukraine’s long struggle for freedom and its determination not to surrender to foreign domination. It has grown beyond a national emblem into a global symbol of courage, resilience, and dignity.

The tryzub is not just a coat of arms. It is a way of life.
Slava Ukraini! Geroyam Slava!

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About the author:

Hello and welcome! My name is Victoria, and I’m a private tour guide in Kyiv. Since 2016, I have been offering private tours on various topics for visitors to the capital of Ukraine. I speak fluent English and love sharing stories. When not guiding, I write about Ukraine on my blog and my travel experiences and insights in Sweden and the Baltics.