What does a banner mean for a soldier? With his solemn removal, not only among the military, but also among most other people, the heart begins to beat faster. The banner is an ancient symbol of courage, honor and dignity, a symbol of faith and devotion to one's Motherland. Looking at the fluttering canvas, guarded by a guard of honor, every patriot awakens pride in his country, his history, his great people.
What is a banner?
Many people think that the banner is the same as the flag, but this is a delusion. The banner is made only in a single copy of expensive materials and is decorated on both sides with embroidery depicting a coat of arms, an inscription or other symbols. The canvas is attached to a pole topped with a metal tip, in contrast to the flag, which is usually raised with a cord on a flagpole.
The meaning of the word "banner" comes from the Old Russian verb "to know" (to distinguish, notice). In the old days, in this way they designated the place of gathering of soldiers at the militaryfield or rate of the prince. At the same time, the banner is the hallmark of any organization, be it a state, a military unit or a labor collective.
The history of the appearance of the first banners
The prototypes of modern banners were still among the nomadic peoples of Asia - these are long poles with bundles of grass tied to the end and horse tails. Later there was a tradition to use pieces of bright fabric, different in shape and length.
In Russia, the banners were called banners and were panels with the image of saints, the Virgin or Christ. Before the battle, the soldiers prayed, looking at the banners fluttering over the camp, bowing as before the icons.
For centuries they have been cherished like the apple of an eye and deployed only on the eve of the battle. Since then, the expression “stand up under the banners” has gone, which means to come out in defense, to come together to defend the interests of the state.
The veneration of the battle banner as a symbol of valor and honor was further strengthened by Peter the Great. He created the first military charter in Russia, which provided for the solemn pronouncement of an oath in front of the banner: “I promise and swear by Almighty God that from the team and the banner where I belong, although in the field, wagon train or garrison, never leave, but for it, while I live I will follow.”
These traditions live on to this day. All military personnel of the Russian Federation take the oath, kneeling before the battle flag and tricolor. This is a solemn ceremony with its own strict regulations, which every soldier will remember for the wholelife.
Unit banner
The battle flag of a military unit is its hallmark and sacred relic. It indicates belonging to the Armed Forces of the country, symbolizes valor, honor and loy alty to the Motherland.
For soldiers, the banner is a reminder of the glorious traditions and great deeds of the valiant Russian troops, who at all times were considered a formidable unshakable force on the path of the enemy.
Combat banner is always located at the location of the military unit. In peacetime - at the headquarters, during combat duty - at the command post, if the unit is encamped - in the first line of tents under a canopy.
When stored in the barracks, the banner guards the guard, when it is taken out of the headquarters and transported - the banner platoon.
All military personnel of the unit must selflessly defend the banner in case of danger of its capture. If there is no possibility of rescue, it must be destroyed by order of the commander.
What threatens the loss of the banner?
In the time of Peter the Great, if the battle banner was captured by the enemy, the entire platoon guarding the sacred military symbol was subject to execution by firing squad. The regiment was disbanded, since such a loss was considered the greatest shame. No banner - no regiment.
Today, if this happens, the squad leader and soldiers of the banner guard are subject to a military tribunal, the rest of the military personnel are distributed to other wax units.
Victory Banner over the Reichstag
The custom of hoisting an assault flag during the capture and liberation of cities appeared during the Great Patriotic WarWars. The idea to install the Banner of Victory over the Reichstag was submitted by Comrade Stalin himself at a meeting of the Moscow Council.
The canvas was made by the most skillful Moscow craftswomen. The material of the main symbol of the Victory was blood-red velvet with the coat of arms of the Soviet Union embroidered on it and the inscription “Our cause is just - we won.”
By coincidence, this banner was not sent to the front line and remained in Moscow. And over Berlin subsequently fluttered another canvas, hastily made in the field.
Today, this relic is stored in the Central Museum of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. But visitors can only see its exact copy: the real canvas is stored in a special capsule, where a certain temperature, humidity and light are maintained.
A strip of 73×3 cm in size was torn off on the banner. According to one version, during the period when the canvas was stored in one of the political departments, the women serving there decided to take a piece as a keepsake. Two decades later, one of them turned to museum workers, told her story and returned a precious piece that fit.
Labour banner
In the Soviet period, along with other state awards, the Order of the Red Banner of Labor was introduced. It was awarded not only to citizens, organizations and enterprises, but also to republics, cities and other settlements for outstanding labor merits in various branches of science, industry and agriculture. It was an honor to wear such a badge..
