Vikentiy Khvoika (real name Čeněk Chvojka, Czech) was a self-taught Russian archaeologist of Czech origin, one of the founders of Ukrainian archaeology, the discoverer of the Trypillian culture in the Kyiv region, and a researcher of the Scythian, Zarubintsy (3rd century BC — 4th century AD), Chernyakhov (2nd—7th centuries) and early Slavic cultures.
In 1907, during archaeological excavations in Kiev, Chvojka stumbled upon a unique find — an ancient plinth with a trident engraved on it. It was the symbol of Vladimir Sviatoslavich, which later became the coat of arms of independent Ukraine.
The painting, which is the left part of the triptych ‘Freedom’, depicts the moment when the ancient symbol of princely power was found.
The theme that unites the paintings in this triptych is, first and foremost, the coat of arms of our state, the continuity of generations, the continuity of history, and the interconnection of important historical events.
The trident has been a symbol of our country since ancient times. Even in the days of Kievan Rus, the definition of state power and the continuity of statehood traditions, symbolised by the trident, was of great importance. The history of the trident dates back to the time of the Rurikids, who used it literally everywhere: from money to bricks for building structures. But the trident appeared much earlier on the territory of modern Ukraine. Archaeological finds indicate that the Trypillians used the trident as a sign of elders as early as the 3rd-4th centuries BC.
Many different hypotheses have been put forward as to what the Ukrainian coat of arms symbolises. None of them has been fully proven, so there is still no reliable and comprehensive interpretation.
A fairly common opinion is that the trident symbolises Rarok, the messenger of heavenly justice, or a falcon flying down. In many cultures, this bird was of great importance, as it was the embodiment of victory over evil, a symbol of power, indestructible strength and valour. In ancient Slavic culture, the falcon also occupied a special place at the top of the world tree.
Among the various interpretations, there are other associations, including that the Ukrainian trident is an ancient religious symbol, a tripod candlestick, an anchor, an ear of wheat, a crown, a bow and arrow, and a triune sacrifice for the victory of life over death.
Some experts on Ukrainian culture believe that the coat of arms of Ukraine can be deciphered as the word ‘VOLYA’ (This ancient russian word has several meanings: will, liberty, freedom), the letters of which make up the modern trident.
But whatever it symbolises, the trident symbolises above all the will of the people, the indestructibility of the country, and embodies the connection between generations. Today, the trident is the coat of arms of Ukraine and has long been a symbol of the indestructibility and struggle of Ukrainians for freedom.

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TITLE: Vikentiy Khvoyka. Kyiv artefacts from the princely era
Triptych “Freedom”. Left part
YEAR: 2025
ARTWORK TYPE: Original Art/One of a kind
DIMENSIONS: 60х80cm
TECHNIQUES: Oil
RELATED THEMES: Portrait, history
SUPPORT OR SURFACE: Canvas on the canvas-stretcher
FRAMING: No
CATALOGUE N: Kovalska133l