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Video: What do the colors of the Russian flag mean?
2024 Author: Seth Attwood | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 15:55
White, blue and red. How are they related to the flag of Holland, shipbuilding, and how were the meaning of flowers interpreted at different times?
The flag is one of the main state symbols of Russia. For many years in the USSR, the flag was a red banner with a hammer and sickle. For the first time in modern history, the white-blue-red "tricolor" was used on August 22, 1991. This day is now considered the day of the Russian flag - then the decree "On the official recognition and use of the National Flag of the RSFSR" was issued.
In 2000, Vladimir Putin signed a constitutional law on the Russian flag - it defines how the canvas looks and where it can be used. By the way, for the desecration of the flag in Russia, imprisonment can be threatened.
Today there is no official interpretation of what colors mean. But it is generally accepted that white symbolizes peace, purity, purity; blue is the color of faith and fidelity, constancy; red means strength and blood shed for the Fatherland.
How did the flag appear
It is believed that until the 17th century there was no state symbol in Russia, mainly coats of arms were used. For the first time, flags began to be hung on ships.
Just in the 17th century, shipbuilding began to develop actively in Russia, for which craftsmen from Holland were invited to the country. They also proposed a color scheme that they themselves have known for a long time. And Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich agreed.
Historians are inclined to believe that for the first time a "tricolor" with a two-headed eagle sewn on it - the emblem of Russia, appeared on a certain ship "Eagle", however, there is no documentary evidence of this. In addition, it is not known exactly in what sequence the colors were arranged.
It is known for certain that in 1693 a detachment of small ships of Peter the Great sailed along the White Sea with the white-blue-red “flag of the Tsar of Moscow”.
The canvas has survived to this day.
The tsar studied shipbuilding skills in Holland for a long time, so the colors were not alien to him. In 1705, Peter signed a decree according to which all Russian merchant ships were to raise the white-blue-red flag.
It is believed that the white stripe meant freedom and independence, the blue one was associated with church images, as well as the defenders of the great Russian land, and the red one, just like today, symbolizes the courage and fearlessness of soldiers who are ready to give their lives for their fatherland.
So for a long time the "tricolor" remained a naval symbol - and began to appear on land only when Russian navigators discovered new lands and mastered Siberia and the Far East - and hoisted their flag on them.
However, after Peter I, black and gold heraldic colors became popular in the army, and then the black-yellow-white flag began to be used at the state level.
(Currently, supporters of far-right sentiments use this "imperial flag").
Folk colors
In 1883, Alexander III decided to return the white-blue-red for special occasions, and Nicholas II, having discussed in detail the meaning of flowers, decided to make it an official symbol again. This "tricolor" also adorned the ceremony of his coronation.
Then the official interpretation was given to the colors: white is the color of freedom, blue is the color of the Mother of God, red symbolizes statehood.
The decision was political - the emperor wanted to make a "national" flag, to return the traditions of Peter I. In addition, with these flowers to show his closeness to the people. In addition, the colors were supposed to unite the entire large empire.
“A Great Russian peasant wears a red or blue shirt on a holiday, a Maloros [Ukrainian - Russia Beyond] and a Belarusian - in a white one; Russian women dress in sarafans, also red and blue. In general, in the notions of a Russian person, what is red is good and beautiful …”- said in a report to the tsar about colors.
White, on the other hand, is both purity and freedom, and also snow, which covers most of Russia in winter.
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