Coat of arms and flag of the City of Bijeljina
The City of Bijeljina got its coat of arms and flag on 2 February 1994, and these symbols were generally accepted as the spiritual property of the City inhabitants after a very short period. The symbols of the City of Bijeljina completely rely on European heraldry tradition, and are based on the most permanent values and symbols of this area, giving an impression of their century long general acceptance.
The coat of arms and flag of the City of Bijeljina were designed by Serbian Heraldry, Genealogy, Vexillology and Faleristics Society White Eagle, which is one of the most prestigious institutions of its kind in Europe.
The coat of arms of the City of Bijeljina is presented in three levels: greater, middle and lesser.
Greater Coat of Arms of the City of Bijeljina
Middle Coat of Arms of the City of Bijeljina
Lesser Coat of Arms of the City of Bijeljina
The description (blazon) of the coat of arms is as follows:
On an azure slightly pointed shield (escutcheon), between two argent doves with gules legs in the cantons (opposing fields), facing each other with wings elevated, an argent silhouette of the dome over the tambour with a cross on top of the dome of the Tavna Monastery which raises from the argent base of the shield in which a gules beam is leaned on a same pillar. Above the shield there is a golden mural crown with four visible merlons (upright sections), symbolising a city with over 100,000 inhabitants. In the central part of the crown there is a central projection (prominent front) of the main facade of Bijeljina City Hall, also golden.
The shield supporters are: dexter – Filip Višnjić, in a traditional costume, in natural colours, holding 'gusle' (single-stringed musical instrument) on his chest with his right hand; sinister – Prince Ivo of Semberija in clothes of his time, in natural colours, holding a money bag on his chest with his left hand. Next to Filip Višnjić there is a spear with a flag of the Republic of Srpska, finished with gold fringes, and next to Prince Ivo of Semberija there is a same spear with a gold-fringed flag of Bijeljina. Both spears have golden ferrules and golden dove-shaped finials on top.
Mount (base) is a plain covered by grass, and next to the shield there is a golden ear of wheat dexter and a golden ear of corn sinister. At the bottom there is a white ribbon containing the letters БИЈЕЉИНА (BIJELJINA in Cyrillic).
The middle coat of arms is identical to the previous description, with a mural crown above it, a golden ear of wheat and a golden ear of corn at the base, and a ribbon containing the letters БИЈЕЉИНА (BIJELJINA in Cyrillic).
The lesser coat of arms features an escutcheon with a described heraldic composition.
Mount (base) is a plain covered by grass, and next to the shield there is a golden ear of wheat dexter and a golden ear of corn sinister. At the bottom there is a white ribbon containing the letters БИЈЕЉИНА (BIJELJINA in Cyrillic).
The middle coat of arms is identical to the previous description, with a mural crown above it, a golden ear of wheat and a golden ear of corn at the base, and a ribbon containing the letters БИЈЕЉИНА (BIJELJINA in Cyrillic).
The lesser coat of arms features an escutcheon with a described heraldic composition.
Flag of the City of Bijeljina
The flag of the City of Bijeljina is square and contains the composition of the escutcheon (dome of the Tavna Monastery, with two heraldically placed white doves), but at the base, instead of a beam leaned on a pillar, there are two red wavy lines (symbols of Drina and Sava rivers).
RULES FOR THE USE OF THE COAT OF ARMS AND FLAG OF THE CITY OF BIJELJINA
The coat of arms and flag must not be used as a trade or service mark, a sample or a model, or other sign for labelling goods or services.
The coat of arms and flag must not be used if damaged or if their appearance is not suitable for use. They can only be used as parts of other emblems, or signs, or certain date or words can be written on the flag.
The use of the coat of arms or flag in art and education is free, provided that it is not against the public order, social and moral standards, heraldry practice and tradition, and that it does not ruin the reputation and importance of the City of Bijeljina.
Etalons (prototypes) of the coat of arms and flag of the City are kept in the Technical service of the Assembly of the City of Bijeljina. The copies of etalons are deposited in the archives of the Serbian Heraldry, Genealogy, Vexillology and Faleristics Society White Eagle.
The coat of arms and flag can be used without special permission by the City Assembly, the mayor and deputy mayor, president and vice-president of the City Assembly, departments and services of the City Administration. City administrative organisations, public enterprises and institutions founded by the City can use the coat of arms and flag in a manner and according to the procedure established by the Decision on the use of the coat of arms and flag of the City of Bijeljina. Legal entities and officials mentioned in the previous sentence can use the coat of arms and flag only when representing the City and its authorities and services.
The City Assembly appoints the Heraldry Commission with three members. Their job is to establish the etalons of the coat of arms and flag and to make sure they are in accordance with the adopted blazon, and also to assess the artistic solution and acceptability of the specific forms of use of the coat of arms and flag.
The Great Coat of Arms of the City of Bijeljina is officially used as the marking and symbol of the City of Bijeljina on the City Hall building, inside the official premises of the mayor and deputy mayor, president and vice-president of the Assembly, and in special festive occasions when importance and tradition of the City is emphasised.
The Middle Coat of Arms of the City of Bijeljina is officially used as the marking and symbol of the administrative bodies of the City of Bijeljina to mark the official premises and as a marking on documents issued by these bodies.
The Lesser Coat of Arms of the City of Bijeljina is used by public enterprises, institutions and other organisations founded by the City, as well as for wider use. The lesser coat of arms is a property of all citizens of the City of Bijeljina, but they can use it only pursuant to regulations.
The coat of arms (great, middle, lesser) can be used only in accordance with heraldry, vexillology and faleristics practice.
As a rule, the coat of arms is displayed with prescribed enamels and colours. The coat of arms can be displayed as black and white, using a standard heraldry method, provided that it is in accordance with heraldry and vexillology principles.
As a rule, the coat of arms is displayed on approach roads and City borders. The middle coat of arms can be displayed on boards containing street names in the territory of the City of Bijeljina.
The flag of the City of Bijeljina is flown:
RULES FOR THE USE OF THE COAT OF ARMS AND FLAG OF THE CITY OF BIJELJINA
The coat of arms and flag must not be used as a trade or service mark, a sample or a model, or other sign for labelling goods or services.
The coat of arms and flag must not be used if damaged or if their appearance is not suitable for use. They can only be used as parts of other emblems, or signs, or certain date or words can be written on the flag.
The use of the coat of arms or flag in art and education is free, provided that it is not against the public order, social and moral standards, heraldry practice and tradition, and that it does not ruin the reputation and importance of the City of Bijeljina.
Etalons (prototypes) of the coat of arms and flag of the City are kept in the Technical service of the Assembly of the City of Bijeljina. The copies of etalons are deposited in the archives of the Serbian Heraldry, Genealogy, Vexillology and Faleristics Society White Eagle.
The coat of arms and flag can be used without special permission by the City Assembly, the mayor and deputy mayor, president and vice-president of the City Assembly, departments and services of the City Administration. City administrative organisations, public enterprises and institutions founded by the City can use the coat of arms and flag in a manner and according to the procedure established by the Decision on the use of the coat of arms and flag of the City of Bijeljina. Legal entities and officials mentioned in the previous sentence can use the coat of arms and flag only when representing the City and its authorities and services.
The City Assembly appoints the Heraldry Commission with three members. Their job is to establish the etalons of the coat of arms and flag and to make sure they are in accordance with the adopted blazon, and also to assess the artistic solution and acceptability of the specific forms of use of the coat of arms and flag.
The Great Coat of Arms of the City of Bijeljina is officially used as the marking and symbol of the City of Bijeljina on the City Hall building, inside the official premises of the mayor and deputy mayor, president and vice-president of the Assembly, and in special festive occasions when importance and tradition of the City is emphasised.
The Middle Coat of Arms of the City of Bijeljina is officially used as the marking and symbol of the administrative bodies of the City of Bijeljina to mark the official premises and as a marking on documents issued by these bodies.
The Lesser Coat of Arms of the City of Bijeljina is used by public enterprises, institutions and other organisations founded by the City, as well as for wider use. The lesser coat of arms is a property of all citizens of the City of Bijeljina, but they can use it only pursuant to regulations.
The coat of arms (great, middle, lesser) can be used only in accordance with heraldry, vexillology and faleristics practice.
As a rule, the coat of arms is displayed with prescribed enamels and colours. The coat of arms can be displayed as black and white, using a standard heraldry method, provided that it is in accordance with heraldry and vexillology principles.
As a rule, the coat of arms is displayed on approach roads and City borders. The middle coat of arms can be displayed on boards containing street names in the territory of the City of Bijeljina.
The flag of the City of Bijeljina is flown:
- on the City Hall building and on buildings of other city authorities,
- in the official premises of the mayor and deputy mayor, president, vice-president and secretary of the City Assembly, heads of the city administrative authorities, city administrative organisations, and technical services,
- during celebrations, festivities and other mass political, cultural, sport and official events important for the City of Bijeljina,
- during inter-municipal meetings, competitions and other gatherings (political, cultural, scientific, sport, etc.) at which the City is a participant or is presented, in accordance with the rules and practice of organising such events, and
- other occasions, if the usage of flag is not in conflict with the provisions of the Decision on the use of the coat of arms and flag of the City of Bijeljina.
The City flag must be flown during city holidays on buildings of city authorities, as well as in all occasions when special rules prescribe display of state flag.
The flag is flown at half-mast for mourning days.
The City can have a special, unique flag kept at the City Assembly. This flag is used indoors and can be made in a special decorative manner and decorated using gold fringes on free edges. Unique flag symbolises the City itself and is used in most solemn occasions, only in the presence of the mayor and deputy mayor, president or vice-president of the City Assembly, or a person representing them. The unique flag can be used outside of premises only at the proposal of Heraldry Commission and with a written approval given by the mayor or president of the City Assembly.
JURISDICTION:
Legal entities registered in the territory of the City of Bijeljina submit a request for approval to use the coat of arms and flag to the mayor of Bijeljina. Documentation with description and intended use must be submitted with the request.
Decision on approval to use the coat of arms and flag is made by the mayor, at proposal of the Heraldry Commission. The decision establishes the conditions, intended use and term for which the use of coat of arms or flag is approved. After receiving opinion from the Heraldry Commission, the mayor can withdraw the mentioned decision if the user fails to comply the conditions established in the decision, or if their usage of the coat of arms or flag, when operating in public, diminishes the reputation and importance of the City, or the coat of arms or flag.
If the use of the coat of arms or flag is approved for commercial or marketing purposes, mutual relationships and fees payable to the City are regulated by a special agreement.
For the use of the coat of arms or flag contrary to the provisions of the Statute of the City of Bijeljina and the Decision on the use of the coat of arms and flag of the City of Bijeljina, or the use without an approval by the authorised authority, fines and confiscation of the used objects are foreseen.
Detailed criteria, or instructions, for the use of the coat of arms and flag are passed by the mayor of Bijeljina, in accordance with the proposal of the Heraldry Commission.
FOR ALL DETAILED INFORMATION CONCERNING THE USE OF THE COAT OF ARMS AND FLAG OF THE CITY OF BIJELJINA IT IS NECESSARY TO CONTACT THE HERALDRY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BIJELJINA, WITH THE CITY ASSEMBLY.
The flag is flown at half-mast for mourning days.
The City can have a special, unique flag kept at the City Assembly. This flag is used indoors and can be made in a special decorative manner and decorated using gold fringes on free edges. Unique flag symbolises the City itself and is used in most solemn occasions, only in the presence of the mayor and deputy mayor, president or vice-president of the City Assembly, or a person representing them. The unique flag can be used outside of premises only at the proposal of Heraldry Commission and with a written approval given by the mayor or president of the City Assembly.
JURISDICTION:
Legal entities registered in the territory of the City of Bijeljina submit a request for approval to use the coat of arms and flag to the mayor of Bijeljina. Documentation with description and intended use must be submitted with the request.
Decision on approval to use the coat of arms and flag is made by the mayor, at proposal of the Heraldry Commission. The decision establishes the conditions, intended use and term for which the use of coat of arms or flag is approved. After receiving opinion from the Heraldry Commission, the mayor can withdraw the mentioned decision if the user fails to comply the conditions established in the decision, or if their usage of the coat of arms or flag, when operating in public, diminishes the reputation and importance of the City, or the coat of arms or flag.
If the use of the coat of arms or flag is approved for commercial or marketing purposes, mutual relationships and fees payable to the City are regulated by a special agreement.
For the use of the coat of arms or flag contrary to the provisions of the Statute of the City of Bijeljina and the Decision on the use of the coat of arms and flag of the City of Bijeljina, or the use without an approval by the authorised authority, fines and confiscation of the used objects are foreseen.
Detailed criteria, or instructions, for the use of the coat of arms and flag are passed by the mayor of Bijeljina, in accordance with the proposal of the Heraldry Commission.
FOR ALL DETAILED INFORMATION CONCERNING THE USE OF THE COAT OF ARMS AND FLAG OF THE CITY OF BIJELJINA IT IS NECESSARY TO CONTACT THE HERALDRY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BIJELJINA, WITH THE CITY ASSEMBLY.
