The Trident or "Tryzub"

According to the Encyclopedia of Ukraine, Volume 5: The official coat-of-arms of Ukraine is a gold trident on a azure background. As a state emblem the trident dates back to Kievan Rus', when it was the coat-of-arms of the Riuryk dynasty. There are various theories about its origins and meaning. The trident was the symbol of poseidon, the sea god of Greek mythology. It has been found in different societies, such as the Bosporan and Pontic Kingdoms, the Greek colonies on the Black Sea, Bysantium, Scandanavia, and Sarmatia, and has been used in various ways: as a religious and military emblem, a heraldic symbol, a state emblem, a monogram and simply a decorative design. At Mychailo Hrushevsky's recommendation, Prince Volodymyr's trident was adopted by the Rada on February 12, 1918 and the Central Rada on March 22, 1918 as the coat of arms of Ukraine.