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Large Coat of arms
A purple shield forms the background for an image of a silver-coloured St George with a golden nimbus slaying the dragon. He is holding silver spear.
The shield is surmounted by Georgian (Iverian) crown and supported on the sides by two golden lions.
Below the shield is a Georgian-style grapevine and a white ribbon with red letters reading Strength in Unity, the country's motto in the Old Georgian alphabet.
Small Coat of Arms
A purple shield forms the background for an image of a silver-coloured St George on horseback with a golden nimbus slaying the dragon. St, George is holding a silver spear topped with a golden cross.
St George
St George is one of the most important saints in Christianity, figuring prominently not only in Orthodoxy, but also in Catholicism and Protestantism. St George is also mentioned in the Koran, the sacred book of Islam.
In the Christian world St George is perceived as the leader of the heavenly army of the Lord and protector of the knights. St George is also a protector and saviour, helping people out of misfortunes and all kinds of difficulties.
St George mounted on a white horse slaying the dragon is a symbol of justice and victory and serves as a manifestation of the ideals of the Georgian people. Since ancient times the Georgians have recognized St George as their patron saint.
According to the historical chronicle Life of Kartli, “St George appeared during the Battle of Didgori and commanded the army of Georgians. He killed all the infidels and non-believers with his own hand.”
It is hardly any surprise, therefore, that there are 365 churches in Georgia named for St George. The Georgian Orthodox Church celebrates St George’s day twice a year. Other Christian churches, except those in Catalonia celebrate St George’s day once a year.
Ivane Javakhishvili (in his History of the Georgian Nation, Book 1) emphasizes that “St George is the most important saint in the minds of the Georgian people”. The people of Georgia celebrate holidays dedicated to St George several times a year. It is worth mentioning that public celebrations are held in the churches of Khakhmati Cross, Gudani Cross and Sameba Cross in Khevsureti; Lashari Cross In Pshavi, Lomisi Cross in Mtiuleti etc are the churches which are regarded as places for adoration of St George. The Gergisi celebration, Gori Cross celebration, Usanetoba, Arbooba, and White George celebration are Georgian religious celebrations linked to St George.
In Georgia St George is worshiped as a saint empowered by the Lord to perform 365 miracles. The life and martyrdom of St George is described in Georgia's written and oral folk traditions. Tales describing the miracles he performed in Byzantium are replaced by local stories of other miracles. The original toponyms are changed into Georgian place-names and Georgian names substitute the original names of the characters. In addition, the stories depict unique aspects of local life. Vazha Pshavela also paid tribute to St George and put to verse one of the legends on St George popular in his native region -Pshavi (The Iveria newspaper, 1893, 17).
Grigol Peradze quotes from the writings of Jacques de Vitry, the Patriarch of Jerusalem (1180a.d.): “There is one more Christian nation in the East, to be renowned as brave fighters, strong in build, powerful and unvanquished in battles. Their army consists of innumerable warriors. They are called George - ians because they worship St George with awe and veneration; they believe him to be their flagman, patron and leader in their fight against the infidels and non-believers and consider him higher than any other Saint.”
It is no surprise that most of the world calls us Géorgienes/Georgians.
According to the writings of the Georgian Prince Ioane (1768-1830) the glorious King Davit the Builder was the owner of the bridle of St George's horse.
As a symbol of Georgia, the icon of St George first appeared in the shield of the coat-of-arms in the publication Tituliarnic, issued in Russia in 1672 as well as in the work of Prince Vakhushti (1735); it is also depicted on the state coat-of-arms of Georgia.