To the history of symbolism of higher educational institutions in Odessa
The article describes the history of the emergence, evolution, classification and functions of the symbolism of higher educational institutions in Odessa in the XIX - beginning of the XX century. On the basis of material and written historical sources of legislative nature, the causes of the appearance of symbols are identified and its social and cultural functions are analyzed. The study found that the creation of the symbols of universities influenced their species. The creation of the symbols of universities in this period was controlled by the state and regulated by legislative acts and additional departmental provisions. All elements of educational symbols emphasized the nationality of universities and acted as a translator and popularizer of the current state ideology. The complex of identified monuments of educational symbols of Odessa universities consists of three groups: 1) badges; 2) stamps, marks and letterheads; 3) uniform. In accordance with the procedure for approval and appearance of monuments of educational symbols, all of them were officially approved, signs originated at the initiative of public authorities and regulated by relevant decrees, resolutions and ordinances of current legislation. Among the elements of symbolism prevailed those which recorded the nationality of universities. The variety of the symbolism of universities due to the function of identifying their educational profile. The educational symbols of higher education institutions in Odessa had features characteristic of the whole system of higher education of the Russian Empire and went through a long path of development. A characteristic feature of the educational symbols of universities was the dominance of the ideological component and self-representation of the academic community. The traditions of educational symbols of the Russian Empire were interrupted by the revolutionary events of 1917.