Rider (heraldry)

Rider or horseman is an important symbol in heraldry especially in Eastern Europe. It firstly appeared in the 13th century on the old Russian stamps, coins and seals as a symbolic representation of the ruling knyaz. Since the second half of the 15th century the rider striking a dragon with spear became the coat of arms of Russia especially Moscow along with the double-headed eagle. In the 16th century the shield with the rider were placed on the eagle's chest. Another type of a rider were Lithunian Pahonia/Vytis which appeared nearly at the same time as the Russian one. But main differences are the absence of a dragon, a sword instead of a spear and the direction of the rider (to the right).

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  A 13th-century old Russian cachet (stamp) with a rider

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  Coat of arms of Moscow

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  Coat of arms of Lithuania from a 15th-century book

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  Coat of arms of Russia in 1577

See also

• Coat of arms of Moscow
• Coat of arms of Russia
• Coat of arms of Lithuania
• Saint George
• Pahonia