The Origins of Kazakh Heraldry and State Symbols of the Republic of Kazakhstan

The celebration date for state symbols in Kazakhstan has been marked since 1992, when the President of the country signed individual laws for each state symbol. On June 4, 2007, the Constitutional Law "On the State Symbols of the Republic of Kazakhstan" was adopted. According to this law, June 4 is celebrated annually in Kazakhstan as the Day of State Symbols. On this occasion, the faculty of the History Department at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University organized a round table on the topic "The Origins of Kazakh Heraldry and State Symbols of the Republic of Kazakhstan."

The moderator of the round table was the Dean of the History Department, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor Dosbol Baigunakov. He noted that state symbols express historical continuity, the idea of statehood, consolidation, and aspiration toward national and universal values. They are also external forms of the ideology of national statehood. According to the historian, the state symbols artistically reflect the main features of Kazakh history, culture, and philosophy.

During the round table, presentations were given by the Head of the Department of Archaeology, Ethnology, and Museology, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor Bibiziya Kalshabayeva, who focused on the origins of Kazakh heraldry; the Head of the Department of History of Kazakhstan, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan Bereket Karibaev, who noted the tamgas and other signs in traditional Kazakh society; Professors Tattigul Kartayeva and Ryskelti Myrzabekova, who discussed the plot of the coat of arms, ornamentation, and other attributes of state symbols; and Associate Professors Yedil Noyanov and Zhumakhan Arynov, who spoke about the usage of symbols, official ceremonies, and more.

The participants of the round table answered students' questions. They talked about totemic animals, which were symbols of bravery and courage, various forms of tamgas, signs, and more. They also discussed coats of arms during the period of Tsarist Russia and Soviet society.

According to the participants of the round table, this day is intended to emphasize the unity of the people as well as highlight its diversity. Various events are held on this day to celebrate the richness of cultural heritage reflected in the state symbols of the country.