Aq Bars

Coat of arms of the Republic of Tatarstan
ArmigerRepublic of Tatarstan
Adopted1991

Aq Bars (Tatar: Ак Барс [ɑq ˈbɑrs]) or Ak Bars (Russian: Ак Барс [ɐg‿ˈbars]) is an ancient Bulgar symbol, which has served as the official symbol of the Republic of Tatarstan since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. Its name is translated literally as 'White Leopard', and it typically refers to the snow leopard.

Historically, this symbol was used in Volga Bulgaria and the Khanate of Kazan (Qazan) – predecessors of Tatarstan – as a state symbol. The snow leopard symbol comes from the totems of one of the Bulgar tribes – the Barsil. According to legend, the Barsils founded Bilär in Volga Bulgaria.

The creator of the current emblem is the artist Rif Fäxretdinov (Риф Фәхретдинов).

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