The flag of Latvia: history and colors. Flag and coat of arms of Latvia

The former Soviet Union united fifteen republics at one time. Each of them had his own flag, but each of them had some common features: the main background - red, a sickle with a hammer in the corner ... The union collapsed, and all the countries that had previously made it returned to their historical banners. Among them, of course, was Latvia.

Ancient history

Curiously, the flag of Latvia is almost the oldest on Earth. Mention of it is found already in the Rhymed Chronicle and refers to the 13th century. The internal strife of 1280 between Latgalians and Semigallians is described in detail in it. And it was the first to have as their banner the cloth, which is now known as the flag of Latvia. The chroniclers mention that the Cēsis Guards had such a banner. Of course, it's not very beautiful that the bearers of this banner united with the Germans against their fellow tribesmen, but the politician saw such unions as well.

These data were excavated by Latvian students somewhere around the year 1870. Given that the descriptions of other flags of that era they did not find, the Young Latvians decided to make this panel their own symbol, and for the first time it was put on display as a Latvian flag in 1873, on the First Song Festival.

Appearance and meaning

The ancient state banner, the simpler it looks. This is explained simply: in the old days, the production of intricate shades was not available, and white and red colors were made the easiest. The flag of Latvia is extremely simple: two red stripes, separated by white. Initially, the shade of the two bands was very close to scarlet. And the lines were planned to be the same width. However, in this form, the flags of Austria and Latvia turned out to be almost identical. Therefore, subsequently the color of the bands was changed. Now the flag uses a carmine shade, officially registered as "Latvian Red". And the white strip is made twice already, than maroon.

At the same time, the symbolism of flowers has remained the same: red, as before, means blood shed for freedom, white - undying hope and faith in a brighter future.

Difficulties with shades

However, it is not for nothing that our ancestors chose simple colors. Modern Latvian authorities are concerned that the flag of Latvia has often very incorrect colors. Bord strips in many cases are depicted as completely unthinkable shades, which can vary from brown (and rather dark) to almost carrots. Foreign embassies repeatedly pointed this out to Latvians. Since the colors of the flag of Latvia are a state matter, it was decided to create a special commission that will monitor the production of the country's symbols. Nobody can make them without a special license, and the colors will be carefully checked.

Legends and legends

Like any self-respecting state symbol, the flag of Latvia has myths about its origin. The most common is the following. In the battle with the Crusaders, the leader of the army was fatally wounded. He was put on white matter, where he was bleeding. But before his death, he ordered his soldiers not to surrender. The cloth, painted with the blood of the leader, they used as a flag - and won. Interestingly, the flag of Austria and Latvia have the same stories as legends.

The second tradition is more bloodthirsty. According to him, the blood of the dead Germans was poured into a huge cauldron. The cloth hung on the spear fell into this vessel. Therefore, in the middle, where there was a shaft, there was a white strip, and on the sides the panel was painted with the blood of dead enemies.

Latvian Coat of Arms: deep significance and historicity

This country very much appreciates its history and carefully keeps everything connected with it. This is Latvia. The flag and the coat of arms are tightly connected with its past. Particularly interesting is the latter. In the image of the coat of arms there is the sun, and before it departed seventeen rays. Exactly so many counties were part of the country. In the modern version of the arms of the rays there are eleven - according to the number of regions. Shield is held by two beasts; They are also depicted on the shield itself. The scarlet lion symbolizes the Zemgale and Kurzeme, the silver griffin - Vidzeme and Latgale. The official Latvian symbol is also the oak tree (along with a linden that embodies the feminine and family hearth). Oak leaves personify military valor, readiness to stand up for their country.

Deep meaning is fulfilled and the stars crowning the Latvian coat of arms. They remind of the unification of the lands of Latvia (historically it was believed that there were three of them: separately Vidzeme, independently - Lattgal, and Kurzeme and Zemgale were considered a single region).

Separate components of the coat of arms have existed since the sixteenth century. He collected them in the general picture and decorated the coat of arms in the modern form with the artist Rihards Zarineš in 1921.

Modern History

The official date from which the flag of Latvia became a national symbol is 1921, on June 15. Some historians dispute it, pushing it back for 22 years and 15 February, but this is not so important. However, even before this time the flag was used: in particular, during the First World War, the Latvian parts of the Russian army went under it to battle, it was proudly exhibited by the Boy Scouts, and public organizations denoting this identity as belonging to Latvia.

The modern look of the cloth acquired in 1917 thanks to Ansis Cirulis. He also developed a shade of red stripes, he also made a narrower white component.

Having become part of the Soviet Union, Latvia received another flag - naturally, red, with a hammer sickle, a star and an abbreviation of the republic. In the Patriotic War, under the original Latvian flag, soldiers of the Latvian Volunteer SS Legion walked. And only in the year 88 of the last century the flags of Lithuania and Latvia took their former shape. Finally, the banner became a national symbol in 1990.

There is a hope that this is the final version of the Latvian banner. And if the political map of the world does not change any more, the inhabitants of this friendly and beautiful country will never part with memories of their past, carefully preserved by history and dear to their heart. Perhaps, to someone the flag of Latvia will seem too simple and unpretentious, but it is dear to Latvians in that kind in which it exists. So we will respect their feelings and preferences.