Peoples of the Caucasus in the search of identity: national-state symbols and heraldry

The problem of identity arises especially keenly in the regions with multi-national and polyconfessional population such as the Caucasus. In the course of the 20th century the peoples of the North and South Caucasus acquired state sovereignty or autonomy. This act of self-identification has found its reflection first of all in the national-state symbols of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia, North Caucasian republics of the Russian Federation: Adygea, Dagesta, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachaevo-Circassia, North Ossetia-Alania, Chechenya. A universal identification system is heraldry. Flags and emblems of these states and autonomies are analysed in the article. Almost in all cases the symbolism and heraldry of peoples of the Caucasus present the quintessence of their cultural heritage. The national-state symbols of the peoples of the Caucasus are a manifestation of a free heraldic choice based on historical and cultural self-identification.