Armenia - the country is very old, with a difficult, one might say, the heroic history.Nation This friendly and welcoming, but ruthless to his enemies and persistent in their ability to achieve.Flag of Armenia fully reflects the basic qualities of its inhabitants, and the history of the entire state.
Vintage national flags
Armenia as a state existed in the 12th century BC.e.The country at that time was called the Armagh-Shumbriya, in which the artist has seen the roots of the modern name.It is difficult to say whether there was already in those centuries the flag of Armenia, and how he looked then.It is authentically known is now considered the very first banner, the image of which are available on the church frescoes and ancient work "History of Armenia", written Favstos Buzendoy already in the fifth century AD.Accurate information including the time of its creation - the fourth century, and the main background of the flag - red.In addition, there is no doubt that the oldest flag of Armenia also had two-headed eagle.Details of the appearance of the heraldic bird set is not possible;some scientists have come to believe that he holds the bow with his paw, but others believe that the eagle compresses some animal.Third, researchers generally thought that this image - just embellishment, while recognizing that the flag at the time, Armenia was the only way it is - an open question.
One thing is certain: as the ancient flag has no more, no country in the world.
Cilicia banner
Subsequent mention of how looks flag of Armenia, concern has 10-14 century AD.In this century, it flourished the kingdom of Cilicia running Rubenids dynasty.Crest to this historic date modified.First of all, he became visually divided into three horizontal parts.The colors of the Armenian flag (red, blue, yellow from top to bottom) at the time of King Levon designated in alliance with the two brothers.It can be said that Cilicia was the prototype of the current banner.
However, it is worth mentioning that at this stage of the history of Cilicia flag was not the only one.In parallel there and other species."Alternative" Armenian flag remained as centuries earlier, in red, but drawing eagle replaced the image of the cross.Most likely, it was a sign of loyalty to the nation and a symbol of the Christian religion of its distribution.
further transformation of the Armenian flag
fourteenth century brought the banner of a new look.What is the flag of Armenia was at that time?For the same three colors add a fourth - equal strips pure white.According to various opinions, it is displayed whether the resistance of the people, or spiritual purity, or devotion to Christianity.Probably closer to the truth is a combination of all of these meanings.
Two centuries later, the Armenian flag has been changed again.The white stripe is gone into oblivion, but at the top of the flag pattern appeared crossed swords, surrounded by a semicircle white stars with eight rays.Just at this time, Armenia was fighting with the Persians and the Turks for their freedom - symbolized the struggle and blades.Stars also portrayed the Armenian princes, who created an alliance to resist the invaders.
almost modern history
a long time, a considerable part of the Armenian people has been forced to live away from their homeland.In exile exiles organized strong Diaspora and hold sacred customs, history and traditions of their homeland.It was one of those diasporas - French - Armenian flag is obliged to further its intermediate shape.In this embodiment, the flag is still have three bands, but they become vertical.The colors also changed: now it was red - green - white.Sheer stripes symbolized the rainbow, manifested Noah descended from the Ark (recall that most historians and theologians are inclined to think that the ark landed it in the mountains of Armenia).
color of the new flag too closely associated with Christianity.White - as the basis for all color shades of the rainbow, and the purity and spirituality of Christ's teaching.Red stands for Easter, Green - Sunday, which follows her (according to these colors in the Armenian calendar called Easter Sunday and what follows it).
first national flag
first Republic of Armenia became in '18 of the twentieth century.Interestingly, it looks like the Armenian flag at the time: in fact, his appearance back to the era of Cilicia.That is, the band once again positioned horizontally, and colors almost match rubenidovskim.The only thing - gave way to yellow to orange.The main explanation for the replacement - a more harmonious color combination.
Soviet times
apart Republic of Armenia, this time did not stay long.Two years later it became part of the Soviet Union - and its flag was changed again.The flag was red again, but instead of all the images at the top left appeared acronym.Until 1937, it looked like the CCPA, and then it was replaced by ASSR added the ever-memorable as the hammer and sickle.It is necessary to clarify that the letters in the acronym in the first and second time were Armenian.
1952 brought another innovation in the shape of the flag of Armenia.First, the bottom blue stripe was added as a symbol of Lake Sevan.Secondly, a hammer and sickle star added five rays.As such, the Armenian flag lasted until the collapse of the Union.
Modern Armenian flag
current banner - return to the First Republic.There is the usual form to Aug. 90 of last century.Flag of Armenia, which is located next to the photo, is a rectangle in three bands.Now, however, the symbolism of the flag has changed.The red part combines multiple interpretations.First of all - it is Armenian blood shed in the long wars of liberation.The second meaning of colors - Christianity for centuries to defend Armenians.And the third - the free Armenian mountains.
blue bar represents the peaceful Armenian sky and clean rivers.Orange is the color reflects the main qualities of the people: artistic creation, hard work of the nation, open to everything new and progressive.
disputes and doubts Armenians
Not all the citizens approve of the choice of red panel.Many believe that a more historically faithful would prefer scarlet flag escorting the Armenians for centuries.Some are inclined to believe that the appearance of modern banner - an artificial idea, a little history and reflects the tendency of the Armenian people.However, some radical citizens claim that, based on Cilicia red background, it is necessary to remove from a Christian cross.Explain this in two ways: they say, firstly, today the church and state are separated.Some part of the population professes other religions, so that the state symbols to portray a religious sign only one church is incorrect.And secondly, the primordial, eternal Armenian symbol is considered a sign of eternity.It was his, according to these Armenians, and we must draw on the flag.
difficult to say whether such claims are true.Rate loyalty of such statements can only historian, is engaged in Armenia.As long as the flag of the country remains intact, and is known around the world in three-color version.
another state symbol
Any country not only has the flag as its symbol.There must be sufficient and more coat of arms, which are all expressed the aspirations of the people, their history and basic principles.Is no exception and Armenia.The coat of arms and flag it developed historically.
As the Armenian flag, coat of arms received as its foundation the image of the former State in the first symbol of the republic.
This symbol consists of a shield with the image of Mount Ararat and Noah's Ark on it.The four fields, which are divided shield, marks the greatest dynasty of Armenian rulers.The eagle with a lion holding a shield - symbols of pride, wisdom and generosity, and besides, are the kings of the birds and animals.
Torn chain under the shield points to newfound freedom, the sword - the willingness to defend, wheat - on the hard work and the desire for peace.Well, tricolor ribbon combines the emblem and flag of the country.
Leading color symbol - gold;field, which is divided shield, historically justified - they were used in the banners of those rulers whose kingdom conditionally designated sections.By the way, the use of colors by the ancient rulers became one more reason to choose them is the development of the flag of the country.
can safely say that the Armenian coat of arms very clearly outlines the entire history of the state - and opposition to the Turks, and the battle for religious freedom, and the propensity of residents to peaceful coexistence.
