In the XIIth-XIVth centuries in Georgia, like in the countries
of classical heraldry in western Europe, national symbols (belonging
to the nation) were distinguished from the royal symbols. According to
Georgian historiography the appearance of Georgian royal symbols is attributed
to King David IV Agmashenebeli (1089-1126). The figure of his arms
was a white horse with horns – the symbol of the Virgin Mary. As for the
background of the arms’ shield it was black, characteristic of the Bagrationi
dynasty. Later, red colour was added. In the later Middle Ages biblical
David’s lyre and catapult were depicted on the black background of the
arms’ shield, and on the red background denoting the social rank of the
royal regalia.
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