07-29-2003, 07:51 AM
K.G.B. SYMBOLOGY
(Copyright: Shawn M. Caza, January 1998)
There was a well established culture of state security in the Soviet Union which included important symbolical aspects. Several key concepts and symbols permeated this culture, and Soviet society in general, and became icons of the KGB in the same manner that the hammer & sickle became symbols of the Soviet Union. By identifying and being aware of these symbols collectors can better understand and identify KGB related items.
The Cheka
The first important concept is the Cheka. The Cheka, the first Soviet secret police, was formed on 20 December 1917 and lasted until 1922. Members of the Cheka, called chekists, were loyal Bolsheviks who defended the revolution from all manner of internal and external threats. While the new Workers' & Peasants' Red Army defended the state from invaders and the Workers' & Peasants' Militia handled basic law and order the Cheka, and the chekists, were the real guarantees of Soviet power. They were the elite; above the militia, army, state and party, above all but the party leadership itself.
Despite going through many name and organizational changes the Soviet state security apparatus continued to bear the mantle and the responsibilities of the Cheka and remained the final and true defender of the Bolshevik revolution and the Soviet State. The employees of state security continued to be known, amongst themselves and the general population, as chekists right through the KGB epoch and into the post-Soviet era. The term has always had good and honourable connotations amongst the employees themselves.
December 20th, the anniversary of the founding of the Cheka, was (and is) celebrated as state security day, not March 13th, the true anniversary of the formation of the KGB. In fact, the anniversaries of the KGB were calculated from 20 December 1917. Thus, the KGB's 50th anniversary was on 20 December 1967 despite the fact that the KGB itself was only a little over 13 years old!
Felix Dzerzhinskiy
Feliks Edmundovitch Dzerzhinskiy ("Iron Feliks") was born to a family of minor Polish nobility in Russian occupied Polish territory on 11 September 1877. He was the leader of the Cheka from its formation in 1917 until his death in July, 1926. However, for all intensive purposes Dzerzhinskiy was immortal. He became a saint-like martyr with all the trappings, Soviet-style. His image, in the form of pictures, paintings, busts and statues, was ubiquitous in KGB buildings and publications. The square in front of KGB headquarters in Moscow was renamed Dzerzhinskiy square and a larger-than-life statue of Dzerzhinskiy dominated the centre of the traffic circle.
However, it is important to note that the image and legend of Dzerzhinskiy's was not limited to the KGB but also received wide coverage throughout the USSR. There were Dzerzhinskiy streets, squares, parks, and schools in every major Soviet city. There were in fact six Soviet towns and cities named Dzerzhinskiy or Dzerzhinsk. Bronze, aluminum, white metal, iron, and plaster busts and statues of Dzerzhinskiy were readily available to Soviet citizens and are highly desirable for collectors of KGB items - but are not KGB issue items! There are even Polish and Soviet Dzerzhinskiy postage stamps.
It is important to note that items bearing Dzerzhinskiy's likeness or name are not necessarily KGB related. There are, for example, 5 military schools bearing Dzerzhinskiy's name, 4 of which are unrelated to the KGB. These include the:
-F.E. Dzerzhinskiy Military Artillery Academy, located at 9/5 Kitayskiy Proyezed, Moscow,
-Tambov Higher Military Aviation Engineering School named for F.E. Dzerzhinskiy (Tambovskoye VVAU),
-Leningrad Higher Naval Engineering School named for F.E. Dzerzhinskiy (VVMIU),
-Saratov Higher Military Command School of the MVD named for F.E. Dzerzhinskiy (SVVKU-MVD).
There is also the Alma-Ata Higher Border Guard Command School named for F.E. Dzerzhinskiy (VPVKU) though it is not known whether it issues its own graduation badges or not.
There is also of course the F.E. Dzerzhinskiy Higher chool of the KGB, the so-called "KGB Academy".
The same holds true for other Dzerzhinskiy items. There are several Soviet and East German banners bearing Dzerzhinskiy's face. Thus far, all of these banners have been for youth associations or civilian organizations unrelated to the KGB.
Sword & Shield
Perhaps the best known symbol associated with the KGB is the sword and shield (called shchit i mech, shield and sword, in Russian). This symbol represents the two basic functions of the KGB, which acted as the sword and shield of the Soviet Union. The shield represents the KGB's defence of the revolution, and the nation, from internal and external threats. The sword represents the KGB's offensive striking power; the power to seek out and destroy threats at home and abroad. Taken together these two images conjure up the picture of a bizarre medieval knight, defender of a communist kingdom.
The sword and shield symbol was standardized in its basic form in 1957 with the introduction of the "Distinguished Employee of State Security" award. The symbol has been used on badges and documents since. In its standardized form the shield is like a normal medieval knight's shield (heater shield) except that there are semi-circular pieces missing from the top two corners. The shield thus has five sides. There is a rim around the shield's edge with several rivets usually visible. The centre of the shield contains a horizontal stripe pattern. There is an unsheathed sword lying, point down, over the shield. The point of the sword usually extends a little bit below the shield and the sword handle (hilt) extends above the shield. There is often a five sided star, with hammer and sickle on it, over the mid-portion of the sword blade. There is also often a ribbon lying horizontally across the lower portion of the sword blade and extending part-way up the both sides of the shield rim.
The sword and shield appeared in its very first form in 1922 with the introduction of the "5th Anniversary of the Cheka-GPU" badge. However, unlike the later KGB shield the first shield was oval in shape. The sword lay point-down on top of the shield. This form was retained on NKVD badges through till 1946 and on MVD and MOOP badges till 1966 or later. The shield used by the KGB, the knight's shield with indented corners, was actually used as early as 1920 for Soviet militia hat and I.D. badges though it was not combined with a sword until the KGB era. Very occasionally two swords were used in state security symbology, as in the 1933 badge of the OGPU Central Transportation Commission which used two swords forming a "V" image without any shield.
It is important to note that the sword and shield image, even in the standardized form used by the KGB, was not restricted to the KGB. The most common user of the symbol, after the KGB, was the MVD (including its 1962 to 1968 incarnation as the MOOP). The sword and shield symbol, though with the sword under the shield was used for the 1975 "Militia Sleeve Patch", the 1985 "MVD Interior Troops Officer's Excellent Service Award Badge", and various MVD music and cultural award badges. The symbol, with the sword over the shield, has been used for the 1978 "MVD Interior Troops Guard Commander's I.D. Badge", and can be seen on the 1971 "MVD Interior Troops Excellent Service Badges for Enlisted Personnel" and on various republican MVD anniversary badges.
The symbol, with sword either over or under the shield, has been used for numerous militia or MVD Troops' school graduation badges, including those of the Tula Middle Militia School (TSSShM), the Officer's Higher Militia School (OVShM), and the MVD Military-Political School (VPU MVD SSSR).
MVD badges usually use the "gerb" over the sword and not the hammer & sickle inside a star, a design which was apparently reserved for the KGB. The only exception is the 1978 "MVD Interior Troops Guard Commander's I.D. Badge", cited above, which has a plain star instead of a "gerb".
Soviet civil prosecutors (the Prokuratura), and their military brethren (Military Tribunals), used a similar symbol consisting of two swords crossed, points down, like an "X" under a shield. This symbol has also been seen on some MVD badges such as the "Volgograd Middle Militia School Graduation Badge" (VSSShM).
Thus, it can not simply be assumed that any item bearing the sword and shield symbol is a KGB item. Further examination of the item, and especially any writing found on it, is necessary in order to make an accurate identification.
"Zastava" (Border Posts)
One of the most prevalent symbols of the KGB Border Guards directorate is the "zastava" or border post. This post, used to mark the borders of the USSR, is usually 2m and is square with a pyramidal top. They resemble an obelisk of ancient Egypt. The top half, of the entire post, is usually painted white and there are usually several red stripes around the middle. There is also a Soviet "gerb", or state seal, attached to the post. The existence of a zastava on a badge or publication can be considered a very good indication that the item in question is related to the KGB Border Guards. However, the item may not be an official KGB issue item but may be a civilian or veteran item.
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(Copyright: Shawn M. Caza, January 1998)
There was a well established culture of state security in the Soviet Union which included important symbolical aspects. Several key concepts and symbols permeated this culture, and Soviet society in general, and became icons of the KGB in the same manner that the hammer & sickle became symbols of the Soviet Union. By identifying and being aware of these symbols collectors can better understand and identify KGB related items.
The Cheka
The first important concept is the Cheka. The Cheka, the first Soviet secret police, was formed on 20 December 1917 and lasted until 1922. Members of the Cheka, called chekists, were loyal Bolsheviks who defended the revolution from all manner of internal and external threats. While the new Workers' & Peasants' Red Army defended the state from invaders and the Workers' & Peasants' Militia handled basic law and order the Cheka, and the chekists, were the real guarantees of Soviet power. They were the elite; above the militia, army, state and party, above all but the party leadership itself.
Despite going through many name and organizational changes the Soviet state security apparatus continued to bear the mantle and the responsibilities of the Cheka and remained the final and true defender of the Bolshevik revolution and the Soviet State. The employees of state security continued to be known, amongst themselves and the general population, as chekists right through the KGB epoch and into the post-Soviet era. The term has always had good and honourable connotations amongst the employees themselves.
December 20th, the anniversary of the founding of the Cheka, was (and is) celebrated as state security day, not March 13th, the true anniversary of the formation of the KGB. In fact, the anniversaries of the KGB were calculated from 20 December 1917. Thus, the KGB's 50th anniversary was on 20 December 1967 despite the fact that the KGB itself was only a little over 13 years old!
Felix Dzerzhinskiy
Feliks Edmundovitch Dzerzhinskiy ("Iron Feliks") was born to a family of minor Polish nobility in Russian occupied Polish territory on 11 September 1877. He was the leader of the Cheka from its formation in 1917 until his death in July, 1926. However, for all intensive purposes Dzerzhinskiy was immortal. He became a saint-like martyr with all the trappings, Soviet-style. His image, in the form of pictures, paintings, busts and statues, was ubiquitous in KGB buildings and publications. The square in front of KGB headquarters in Moscow was renamed Dzerzhinskiy square and a larger-than-life statue of Dzerzhinskiy dominated the centre of the traffic circle.
However, it is important to note that the image and legend of Dzerzhinskiy's was not limited to the KGB but also received wide coverage throughout the USSR. There were Dzerzhinskiy streets, squares, parks, and schools in every major Soviet city. There were in fact six Soviet towns and cities named Dzerzhinskiy or Dzerzhinsk. Bronze, aluminum, white metal, iron, and plaster busts and statues of Dzerzhinskiy were readily available to Soviet citizens and are highly desirable for collectors of KGB items - but are not KGB issue items! There are even Polish and Soviet Dzerzhinskiy postage stamps.
It is important to note that items bearing Dzerzhinskiy's likeness or name are not necessarily KGB related. There are, for example, 5 military schools bearing Dzerzhinskiy's name, 4 of which are unrelated to the KGB. These include the:
-F.E. Dzerzhinskiy Military Artillery Academy, located at 9/5 Kitayskiy Proyezed, Moscow,
-Tambov Higher Military Aviation Engineering School named for F.E. Dzerzhinskiy (Tambovskoye VVAU),
-Leningrad Higher Naval Engineering School named for F.E. Dzerzhinskiy (VVMIU),
-Saratov Higher Military Command School of the MVD named for F.E. Dzerzhinskiy (SVVKU-MVD).
There is also the Alma-Ata Higher Border Guard Command School named for F.E. Dzerzhinskiy (VPVKU) though it is not known whether it issues its own graduation badges or not.
There is also of course the F.E. Dzerzhinskiy Higher chool of the KGB, the so-called "KGB Academy".
The same holds true for other Dzerzhinskiy items. There are several Soviet and East German banners bearing Dzerzhinskiy's face. Thus far, all of these banners have been for youth associations or civilian organizations unrelated to the KGB.
Sword & Shield
Perhaps the best known symbol associated with the KGB is the sword and shield (called shchit i mech, shield and sword, in Russian). This symbol represents the two basic functions of the KGB, which acted as the sword and shield of the Soviet Union. The shield represents the KGB's defence of the revolution, and the nation, from internal and external threats. The sword represents the KGB's offensive striking power; the power to seek out and destroy threats at home and abroad. Taken together these two images conjure up the picture of a bizarre medieval knight, defender of a communist kingdom.
The sword and shield symbol was standardized in its basic form in 1957 with the introduction of the "Distinguished Employee of State Security" award. The symbol has been used on badges and documents since. In its standardized form the shield is like a normal medieval knight's shield (heater shield) except that there are semi-circular pieces missing from the top two corners. The shield thus has five sides. There is a rim around the shield's edge with several rivets usually visible. The centre of the shield contains a horizontal stripe pattern. There is an unsheathed sword lying, point down, over the shield. The point of the sword usually extends a little bit below the shield and the sword handle (hilt) extends above the shield. There is often a five sided star, with hammer and sickle on it, over the mid-portion of the sword blade. There is also often a ribbon lying horizontally across the lower portion of the sword blade and extending part-way up the both sides of the shield rim.
The sword and shield appeared in its very first form in 1922 with the introduction of the "5th Anniversary of the Cheka-GPU" badge. However, unlike the later KGB shield the first shield was oval in shape. The sword lay point-down on top of the shield. This form was retained on NKVD badges through till 1946 and on MVD and MOOP badges till 1966 or later. The shield used by the KGB, the knight's shield with indented corners, was actually used as early as 1920 for Soviet militia hat and I.D. badges though it was not combined with a sword until the KGB era. Very occasionally two swords were used in state security symbology, as in the 1933 badge of the OGPU Central Transportation Commission which used two swords forming a "V" image without any shield.
It is important to note that the sword and shield image, even in the standardized form used by the KGB, was not restricted to the KGB. The most common user of the symbol, after the KGB, was the MVD (including its 1962 to 1968 incarnation as the MOOP). The sword and shield symbol, though with the sword under the shield was used for the 1975 "Militia Sleeve Patch", the 1985 "MVD Interior Troops Officer's Excellent Service Award Badge", and various MVD music and cultural award badges. The symbol, with the sword over the shield, has been used for the 1978 "MVD Interior Troops Guard Commander's I.D. Badge", and can be seen on the 1971 "MVD Interior Troops Excellent Service Badges for Enlisted Personnel" and on various republican MVD anniversary badges.
The symbol, with sword either over or under the shield, has been used for numerous militia or MVD Troops' school graduation badges, including those of the Tula Middle Militia School (TSSShM), the Officer's Higher Militia School (OVShM), and the MVD Military-Political School (VPU MVD SSSR).
MVD badges usually use the "gerb" over the sword and not the hammer & sickle inside a star, a design which was apparently reserved for the KGB. The only exception is the 1978 "MVD Interior Troops Guard Commander's I.D. Badge", cited above, which has a plain star instead of a "gerb".
Soviet civil prosecutors (the Prokuratura), and their military brethren (Military Tribunals), used a similar symbol consisting of two swords crossed, points down, like an "X" under a shield. This symbol has also been seen on some MVD badges such as the "Volgograd Middle Militia School Graduation Badge" (VSSShM).
Thus, it can not simply be assumed that any item bearing the sword and shield symbol is a KGB item. Further examination of the item, and especially any writing found on it, is necessary in order to make an accurate identification.
"Zastava" (Border Posts)
One of the most prevalent symbols of the KGB Border Guards directorate is the "zastava" or border post. This post, used to mark the borders of the USSR, is usually 2m and is square with a pyramidal top. They resemble an obelisk of ancient Egypt. The top half, of the entire post, is usually painted white and there are usually several red stripes around the middle. There is also a Soviet "gerb", or state seal, attached to the post. The existence of a zastava on a badge or publication can be considered a very good indication that the item in question is related to the KGB Border Guards. However, the item may not be an official KGB issue item but may be a civilian or veteran item.
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