STEMA ȚĂRII MOLDOVEI: CAP DE BOUR SAU CAP DE ZIMBRU?

Abstract

The heraldic coat of arms of the Principality of Moldavia represents a plastic composition of the historical past. The central element of this heraldic ensemble is the head of an aurochs. The contradictory historiographical discussions regarding the taurine species from the coat of arms of the Principality of Moldavia have started since the end of the 19th century. Research of the oldest sources of a fragmentary nature, monetary testimonies, manuscripts, chronicles, various documents attesting to the existence of such heraldic compositions proves that once the state independence of the Principality of Molda- via is obtained the head of an aurochs became the main element of the coat of arms. Throughout, the image of the taurine changes and depicts a transitional form, from an aurochs to a bull. In the nineteenth century there were important changes in the representation of the heraldic image, the head of the aurochs being transformed into a bull head on the royal seals of the Principality of Moldavia.