Hammer and Sickle: The Most Iconic Soviet Symbol

Origins of the Hammer and Sickle

The hammer and sickle emblem was established by a government decision in late March to early April 1918 and approved by the V Congress of Soviets on July 10, 1918. It was first depicted on the state seal of the Council of People's Commissars of the RSFSR on July 26, 1918. The artist E. I. Kamzolkin was the first to propose the hammer and sickle symbol for the decoration of the Zamoskvoretsky District of Moscow for the May Day celebrations in 1918. Before that, the "plow and hammer" emblem was used.

The hammer and sickle symbol

In this context, the hammer represented the working class, the industrial proletariat that toiled in factories, while the sickle symbolized the peasantry—those who labored in the fields. By crossing these two tools, the image represented the unity between workers and peasants, a fundamental principle of Marxist ideology. It was more than just a logo; it was a visual manifestation of the Soviet Union's communist ideals and its promise to liberate workers worldwide from capitalist oppression.

A rare hammer and sickle monument still preserved in Armenia

Together with the red star, the hammer and sickle appeared on the flag of the USSR in 1923, and in 1924, the symbol was written into the constitution. The hammer and sickle were also placed on the flags and coats of arms of the Soviet republics.

The iconic red background, symbolizing revolution and the blood of workers, combined with the golden hammer and sickle, conveyed the message of a worker’s state. Above the hammer and sickle, the five-pointed star represented the global spread of communism.

The Hammer and Sickle in Soviet Armenia

The Armenian SSR emblem, designed by Martiros Saryan and Akop Kojoyan, was adopted in 1937. The State Emblem of the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic consisted of the image of Greater and Lesser Ararat, with a hammer and sickle on a five-pointed star surrounded by rays at the top. At the foot of the mountains was a vineyard bush with vines and leaves, and ears of wheat to the right and left.

Emblem of the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic on the top of the stage of Arshaluys culture house

Around the emblem, on the margins, was the inscription in Armenian, "Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic." Below, on a red background, was the inscription in Armenian and Russian, "Workers of the world, unite!"

Emblem of the Armenian SSR

There is a diplomatic apocrypha according to which Turkey allegedly expressed protest, asking why Armenia put a mountain on its coat of arms that does not belong to it. To this, the then People's Commissar of Foreign Affairs, Chicherin, responded: "And why is there a crescent moon on the flag of Turkey? The moon does not belong to it either."

In the Soviet Union, the hammer and sickle were more than just a political symbol; they were integrated into everyday life. The emblem became a common decorative feature on buildings, monuments, and state facilities, particularly during the era of Stalinist architecture.

Hammer and sickle on the façade of the building of Vanadzor Municipality

Today, while walking around Armenia, a meticulous eye can still notice traces of that emblem. Notable examples include the façades of the Government House, the Public Radio of Armenia, and the Vanadzor Municipality, all featuring hammer and sickle bas-reliefs.

Moreover, during my urban exploration missions, I also saw a monument shaped like a hammer and sickle.

An original Soviet-era flag with the emblem of the Armenian SSR that we saw in an abandoned shoe factory

The hammer and sickle remain one of the most recognizable symbols of the 20th century, representing a significant era in global politics. Its widespread use on flags, facades, and monuments across the Soviet Union and beyond reflected the ideological battle between capitalism and communism. While the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, the hammer and sickle still hold powerful historical and cultural connotations, often evoking both nostalgia and controversy in former communist countries and among left-wing political groups worldwide.

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