Whose flag is red-black? History of the black and red flag

Red and black in different combinations and combinations with other colors are often used in state symbols. Some of these panels are well known, few people know the history of others. However, each such flag deserves attention.

Egypt

The symbolism of the Arab countries is often green. However, Egypt's flag is black with red and white, and in the center of the color canvas is also supplemented by a golden image of the eagle. It has been officially used since the end of the twentieth century. Three equal strips, located horizontally, and the golden eagle are placed on the panel, the width of which refers to the length of two to three. Above is a red color, from below - black, and between them - white. The first one is a symbol of the struggle of the people with the colonists, the second one recalls independence from the British regime, and the third tells about the 1952 uprising. Finally, the golden eagle stands for Sultan Salah ad-Din, leader of the campaign against the Crusaders in the twelfth century.

For a time Egypt belonged to France and enjoyed its flag, then England came to the country. Only the sultan had a cloth - a red cloth with three months, inside of which were five-pointed stars. After receiving freedom, the country used a green flag with a crescent for a while, and then the president adopted a new tricolor. It almost did not differ from the modern version. The Egyptian flag, red-black, with a white stripe in the middle, was decorated with an image of an eagle with a green circle, a crescent and three five-pointed stars. Then the bird disappeared. It was replaced by two stars. From 1972 to 1984, the flag was attended by a golden falcon. And only by the beginning of the nineties the cloth has acquired its modern look.

Germany

The country, whose flag is red-black, is also in Europe. In combination with gold, this color is used by Germany. Three shades are used for horizontally located equal-sized strips. Black and gold became state colors back in the Middle Ages. A third color was added to them later. There is a following history of the black and red flag: it was used by the Jena Student Union during the War of Independence against Napoleon. Upon its completion, the female population of the city of Jena presented the brave student with an embroidered banner. It was a flag with red-black stripes and an oak branch of golden color. It was this symbol that the German students began to use.

Over time, colors began to be explained as follows: black means the darkness of reactionary movements, red symbolizes the blood shed in the struggle for freedom, and golden - the sun that will rise above an independent country. This value was in the course of a long time. Nevertheless, the black and red flag, whose form was sung by the German poet Ferdinand Freiligrat, received official status only in 1919. The combination with gold became a symbol of democratic Germany. With the coming to power of the Nazis, the flag has changed somewhat, but the modern state has returned to the former version, which now expresses freedom and unity.

Third Reich

Perhaps, reflecting on which country has a black-and-red flag, many will remember the tragedy of Nazi symbols. The swastika panel is one of the most recognizable and is currently banned in some countries. The development of the symbol took a lot of time from Adolf Hitler. He wanted to find such an option, which would have been moderately simple and at the same time embodied the ideas of the party. He was offered a white cloth, but he considered that the movement of the revolutionary era can not use such chaste shades. Therefore, Hitler used the old imperial colors, transforming them: instead of tricolor, he developed a standard of scarlet color with a white circle, which is inscribed with a swastika.

However, some scientists who are studying the biography of Hitler, hold different opinions about how the flag appeared. A red-black symbol could be developed by a dentist from Starnberg. He is mentioned in the book "My Struggle". There is also a point of view that the red banners of the communist parties were used as inspiration.

Ukrainian nationalists

Ukraine uses the yellow-blue flag as a state symbol. The red and the black represent nationalists, for whom these colors have ideological significance. It is believed that the black symbolizes Ukrainian land, and red - the blood of those killed for freedom. Such shades have long been used in national clothes and for finishing household items. Nevertheless, they acquired ideological meaning only after the First World War. Black-and-red flags Ukraine never used officially, but in songs and for celebratory processions it was quite used.

In addition, there is a theory about the more ancient use of symbolism. In Repin's painting "Zaporozhtsy write a letter to the Turkish sultan", written in 1880, it is worth paying attention to the background. On the spears there is not only a yellow-blue, but also a red-black flag. This confirms the opinion of the ancient historical significance of the banner. Historians and experts checked the work of Repin on the reliability and believe that in the likelihood of the image can not be doubted: then really used black and red flags. Ukraine can not use it at the state level, but a deep connection with the history of this symbol is difficult to deny.

Albania

Another European country, whose flag is red-black, is located in the Balkans. The Albanian cloth has been used since April 1992, but the ancient folk tales are based on the symbolism. The red flag with a black eagle embodies the legend of a bird that monitors the country's governance. There are options where the helmet is also depicted from below. The version with a red cloth and a star with a gold outline refers to the period of communist rule in the country.

In addition to the variant with a fantastic value, there is also a theory that the double-headed eagle emblem is associated with the fifteenth century and the commander George Castriott who used such an image on seals, after which he migrated to the standard. Black-and-red flag the country began to use since 1912, after it gained independence from the Ottoman Empire. No matter how the shades and forms of the banner change, the two-headed eagle always remained in its place.

Sudan

Muslim states often use green in the symbols, and this country does not become an exception. But on the panel there are other colors. What does the red-black flag mean and what is the white band centered on? The upper band of scarlet color is intended to remind of Sudan's struggle for sovereignty. White color is connected with the peaceful aspirations of the people and its desire for partnership with other states of the world. The lower dark strip is represented by Sudan itself, which in Arabic is called the country of blacks. The green triangle is a symbol of Islam, but it is also connected with agricultural traditions that have long-standing roots in the country. This flag was adopted in May 1970, when the republic became democratic. The coat of arms also contains four colors of the state cloth. On a white background, a black bird secretary is shown, with a red shield on her chest, and a green country name in her legs.

Papua New Guinea

Exotic country, the symbolism of which few people know, also uses black and red colors. The national flag is a cloth divided diagonally. A black triangle is located at the bottom, and red is on top. The dark part also shows five white five-pointed stars that form in the constellation Southern Cross, and the scarlet depicts a flying paradise bird of bright yellow color. Each of the elements has a special meaning. At the South Pole there is no polar star, so the constellation of the cross is used for navigation. It is used on the flags of countries such as Australia, Brazil, Tokelau and Samoa. Black and red are common in the national art of the Papuans. The bird of paradise, which flies along the red triangle, occurs almost exclusively in the territory of the state. The working symbol was adopted in July 1971, and the creator of it was Susan Harejo Carike.

Mozambique

Red and black shades are also used in the symbols of African countries. For example, Mozambique uses such colors on her flag. There are three horizontal bands of the same size on the panel: the top is green, then black, and the bottom is yellow, between which are narrow white stripes. Red is used for an equilateral triangle near the shaft, in the center of which is a yellow five-pointed star. It has a Kalashnikov assault rifle and a hoe, as well as an open book. It is interesting that the flag of Mozambique is the only one in the world on which modern weapons are depicted.

Zimbabwe

In Africa, similar colors are used not only by Mozambique. There is one more flag. It belongs to Zimbabwe and was first officially used in April 1980, after the victory of the national union and the cessation of hostilities. On the panel, whose sides are in proportion of two to one, there are seven equal horizontal strips. Extremes are made in light green color, then go yellow, after them red, and central is black. An isosceles white triangle is located at the shaft. It depicts a bird of Zimbabwe against the background of a red star with five rays. The color of the triangle symbolizes the country's desire for peace and development, the red stripes are reminiscent of the struggle for independence, black is associated with the history of African tribes, yellow is associated with the riches of nature, and the green with agriculture. The Red Star recalls the revolution that gave the country sovereignty. The bird is associated with an archaeological rarity: on the territory of the country were found statuettes made of stone, the symbols from which are now used not only on the flag, but also on the coat of arms, as well as on coins.

Angola

The symbolism of this country also uses red and black. In such colors, two horizontal strips are placed on the panel. From above goes red, under it - black, and in the center there are gold images of a gear, a star and a machete. The first symbolizes the blood spilled during colonization, and the second - the African continent. Each figure also has its own meaning: gears are workers, machetes are peasants, and the star is progress and solidarity.

Kenya

Finally, another African flag. Kenyan cloth is covered with five horizontal stripes - wide black, red and green, between which are two narrow white. In the center is the Masai shield, made in the same colors. Behind him are depicted two crossed spears. Black color is associated with the African population, red - with the struggle for independence, green talks about natural wealth, and white symbolizes the world. The shield and spears speak of the readiness to defend freedom.