The former Soviet Union once united fifteen republics. Each had its own flag, but each of them had some common features: the main background is red, a hammer and sickle in the corner … The Union fell apart, and all the countries that previously made it up returned to their historical banners. Among them, of course, was Latvia.
Ancient history
What is curious, the flag of Latvia is almost the oldest on Earth. The mention of it is already found in the Rhymed Chronicle and refers to the 13th century. The civil strife of 1280 between the Latgalians and the Semigallians is described in some detail in it. And it was the first ones who had as their banner the cloth, which is now known as the flag of Latvia. The chronicles mention that the guards of Cēsis had such a banner. Of course, the fact that the bearers of this banner united with the Germans against their fellow tribesmen does not look too pretty, but politics has seen other alliances as well.
This data was dug up by Latvian students somewhere around 1870. Considering that descriptions of othersThey did not find the flags of that era, the young Latvians decided to make this particular cloth their symbol, and for the first time it was put on public display as the Latvian flag in 1873, at the First Song Festival.
Appearance and meaning
The more ancient the state banner, the simpler it looks. The explanation is simple: in the old days, the manufacture of intricate shades was not available, and white and red colors were the easiest to make. The flag of Latvia is extremely simple: two red stripes separated by white. Initially, the shade of the two stripes 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, the color of the stripes was subsequently changed. Now the flag uses a shade of carmine, officially registered as "Latvian red". And the white stripe is made twice as narrow as the burgundy ones.
At the same time, the symbolism of the colors 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 was not in vain that our ancestors chose simple colors. Modern Latvian authorities are concerned that the flag of Latvia often has very incorrect colors. Burgundy stripes in many cases are depicted in completely unimaginable shades that can vary from brown (and rather dark) to almost carrot. Foreign embassies repeatedly pointed this out to the Latvians. Insofar asthe colors of the flag of Latvia are a matter of state, it was decided to create a special commission that will control the production of symbols of the country. No one will be able to make them without a special license, and color matching will be carefully checked.
Legends and traditions
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 troops was mortally wounded. They laid him on a white cloth, where he bled out. But before his death, he ordered his soldiers not to surrender. The cloth, dyed with the blood of the leader, they used as a flag - and won. Interestingly, the flag of Austria and Latvia have exactly the same story as a legend.
The second legend is more bloodthirsty. According to him, the blood of the killed Germans was poured into a huge cauldron. The cloth, hung on a spear, fell into this vessel. Therefore, in the middle, where the shaft was, there was a white stripe, and on the sides the cloth was painted with the blood of the killed enemies.
Latvian coat of arms: deep meaning and historicity
This country values its history very much and cherishes everything connected with it. Such is Latvia. The flag and coat of arms are closely connected with its past. The last one is of particular interest. There is a sun in the image of the coat of arms, and earlier seventeen rays departed from it. Exactly so many counties were part of the country. In the modern version of the coat of arms, eleven rays remain - according to the number of districts. The shield is held by two beasts; theyare also depicted on the shield itself. The scarlet lion symbolizes Zemgale and Kurzeme, the silver griffin symbolizes Vidzeme and Latgale. The official Latvian symbol is the oak (along with the linden, which embodies the feminine and the family hearth). Oak leaves represent military prowess, readiness to stand up for your country.
The stars crowning the Latvian coat of arms are filled with deep meaning. They remind of the unification of the lands of Latvia (historically it was believed that there were three of them: separately Vidzeme, independently - Lattgale, and Kurzeme and Zemgale were considered a single region).
Separate components of the coat of arms have existed since the sixteenth century. The artist Rihards Zarinjes brought them together in a big picture and designed the coat of arms in its modern form in 1921.
Modern history
The official date from which the flag of Latvia became the state symbol is 1921, June 15th. Some historians dispute it, pushing it back to 22 years and February 15, but this is no longer so important. However, even before that time, the flag was used: in particular, during the First World War, the Latvian units of the Russian army went into battle under it, boy scouts proudly displayed it, and public organizations designated their belonging to Latvia with this banner.
The cloth acquired its modern look in 1917 thanks to Ansis Cirulis. He developed the shade of the red stripes, he also made the white component narrower.
Becoming part of the Soviet Union, Latvia received a different flag - of course, red, with a hammer and sickle, a star and the abbreviation of the republic. During the Patriotic War under the original Latviansoldiers of the Latvian SS Volunteer Legion walked the banner. And only in the year 88 of the last century, the flags of Lithuania and Latvia took on their former appearance. The banner finally became the state symbol already in 1990.
There is hope that this is the final version of the Latvian banner. And if the political map of the world is no longer redrawn, the inhabitants of this friendly and beautiful country will never be parted from the carefully preserved history and memories of their past dear to their hearts. Maybe someone will find the flag of Latvia too simple and unpretentious, but for Latvians it is dear in the form in which it exists. So let's respect their feelings and preferences.
