What does the Ukraine trident mean? The national emblem of Ukraine is a trident or tryzub. The trident dates back to Kyivan Rus’. Since the 9th century, it was the symbol of the Riurykide dynasty. For hundreds of years, the tryzub symbol was forgotten. As a national emblem, the trident was approved in 1918 by the government of UNR. The trident image we can find in in different nationalities and religions. There is known Shiva’s Trident in Hinduism and Poseidon’s trident in ancient Greek religion