The identifying function of legal symbols

The article examines the identifying function of legal symbols as one of the key directions of their functional purpose within the legal system. It considers theoretical approaches to understanding the legal symbol, analyzes existing definitions of this category in legal science, and identifies their common and distinctive features. The dual nature of the legal symbol as an element of the legal system and a bearer of socially significant meanings is substantiated. The main focus is on revealing the content of the identifying function, which manifests in the ability of legal symbols to ensure the recognition of subjects, legal institutions, and phenomena, as well as to fix their belonging to a specific legal system. The paper analyzes the forms of realization of this function, including the use of proper names, means of individualization (trademarks and service marks), state symbols, and official attributes of subjects endowed with authoritative powers. A comparative legal method is used in analyzing various approaches to defining legal symbols in legal science. The functional method has facilitated the study of the identifying function of legal symbols and its manifestations in various areas of legal regulation. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the comprehensive analysis of the identifying function of legal symbols as an independent element of their functional purpose, which has not previously received sufficient systemic understanding in legal science. The content of this function is clarified, and its main characteristics and forms of manifestation in various areas of legal regulation are revealed. It is substantiated that the identifying function of legal symbols goes beyond their traditional understanding as means of designation and includes a mechanism for establishing the legal affiliation of subjects, institutions, and objects. The study reveals the dual orientation of this function: on the one hand, it ensures legal certainty and promotes the ordering of social relations, and on the other, it can be used to complicate identification, which is confirmed by modern law enforcement and international practice. It is concluded that legal symbols play an important role in building trust in the legal system and ensuring the legitimacy of public authority. The need for further development of theoretical approaches to the study of legal symbols and the improvement of mechanisms for their legal protection is substantiated.