The Grand dukes of Litvania

the Kalumny

Geometrical symbols are a typical feature of the Litvan personal heraldry. These symbols might have their origin in ancient runes or other pagan symbols. The meanings of the symbols are most times lost, but nevertheless some of them are still known: so, the Kalumny symbolise 3 columns, the Sapieha arms symbolises a fox.

The royal symbols always had a form of a trident. It may be a tradition brought by Scandinavian dukes (p.e. Rahvałod=Ragvold, the king of Połacak) that were often invited, as neutral persons who did not belong to any Litvan clan, to be elected kings. The Kalumny was also a continuation of the Litvan royal heraldic traditions

As already mentioned, a similar heraldic tradition can be observed in the Ukraine. So, Ruerick, the king of Kyiv, had a trident as his symbol that became the state symbol of the Kyiv kingdom. Now this symbol is the state symbol of the Ukraine.