What is the sailor's flag called? Gubakhinsky Union of Veterans of Combat Operations and Military Service
St. Andrew's flag
"God and St. Andrew's flag are with us!" - with these words in the fleet Russian Empire the commanders of the ships turned to their crews before the battle.
St. Andrew's flag is the main ship ensign of the Russian Navy. It is a white cloth, crossed diagonally by two blue stripes, which form an inclined cross, called Andreevsky. This cross gave the flag its name.
St. Andrew's Cross- an oblique cross, symbolizing the crucifixion of St. Andrew the First-Called. It is a common symbol and is used on the flags and symbols of several countries and territories.
Who was Andrew the First-Called, whose name is so gloriously immortalized all over the world?
Andrew the First-Called
Apostle Andrew, known as the Apostle Andrew the First-Called,- one of the disciples of Jesus Christ, brother of the Apostle Peter. It is mentioned in the books of the New Testament.
Like Peter, Andrei was a simple fisherman. He was born in the city of Bethsaida, on the shores of the Lake of Galilee.
Francisco de Zurbaran "Saint Andrew the Apostle"
At first, Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist, but when Christ called him, he was the first to follow Him, and therefore was called the First-Called. Before last day His First-Called Apostle followed Him on the earthly path of the Savior, he was also a witness of the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ.
The reason why the St. Andrew's Cross is present on the flags of many countries is that the Apostle Andrew visited many countries with a sermon about Christ. And those countries where he visited, consider him their patron. On the day of Pentecost (50 days after the Resurrection of Christ), the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles in the form of fiery tongues. So they received the gift of healing, prophesying and the ability to speak in different dialects. The 12 apostles divided among themselves the countries where they were supposed to convert the pagans to Christianity. Saint Andrew fell by the lot of the earth Bithynia(Asia Minor), propontides(region of Turkey), Thrace(modern region of Greece, Bulgaria and Turkey), Macedonia in the Balkans , Scythia, Thessaly(Aegean coast) Hellas(Greece), Ahai(Southern Balkans), many individual cities. But the first field of his apostolic ministry was Black Sea coast.
Almost everywhere the authorities met him with cruel persecutions. He endured especially a lot of torment in the city of Sinop, where he was subjected to cruel torture by the pagans. But St. Andrew was again healthy and whole from his wounds.
According to medieval tradition, the Apostle Andrew visited the territory of Russia, therefore he is its patron saint. In Kiev, he left a pectoral cross, after that he visited Novgorod and the nearby Volkhov.
He also visited modern Abkhazia, Alania and Adygea, and then arrived in the city of Byzantium and was the first to preach the teachings of Christ there. Here he founded the Christian Church.
Andrew the First-Called was martyred on an oblique cross in the city of Patras (Greece), this cross has since been called St. Andrew's Cross. It happened in the 70s of the 1st century.
Martyrdom of Andrew the First-Called
In the city of Patras passed last years the life of the apostle. Here he preached, gathered around him a large Christian community. In Patras, he performed many miracles: healing by the laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead. The ruler of Aegeat ordered the execution of Andrew the First-Called, crucifying him on a cross. But the apostle considered himself unworthy to die on the same cross as Jesus Christ, so they chose an oblique cross for execution. The ruler of Egeat ordered not to nail him to the cross, but to tie him by the arms and legs in order to prolong the torment. For two days the apostle preached from the cross. The people who listened to him demanded that the execution be stopped, and the ruler, fearing popular unrest, ordered that the apostle be taken down from the cross. But Andrew the First-Called wanted to accept death in the name of Christ, so the soldiers could not untie the ropes. His life reports that when the holy apostle died, the cross lit up with a bright radiance. According to legend, a spring gushed at the site of the crucifixion of the Apostle Andrew the First-Called.
Cathedral of St. Andrew the First-Called in Patras (Greece)
At the same place in Patras, the majestic Cathedral of St. Andrew the First-Called, the largest in Greece, was erected.
About flags using the St. Andrew's Cross
The St. Andrew's Cross is a common symbol depicted on the flags of many states and administrative divisions.
Flag of Scotland
This is the flag Alabama(one of the US states), flag Katwijk(communities in the Netherlands), flag Scotland(Andrew the First-Called is considered her patron), flag Tenerife(spanish island), flag Jamaica, flag Potchefstroom(provinces of South Africa), three St. Andrew's crosses are located on the flag and coat of arms Amsterdam. And about 20 more flags of various countries carry the St. Andrew's Cross.
Flag of the Russian Navy
St. Andrew's flag is the main ship ensign of the Russian Navy. It is a white cloth, crossed diagonally by two blue stripes, which form an inclined St. Andrew's cross.
Flag of the Russian Navy
In 1698 Peter I established the first order in Russia (the Order of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called) to reward military exploits and public service.
The order consisted of a golden cross, a blue ribbon, a silver eight-pointed star and a golden chain. In the center of the star, in a rosette covered with red enamel and gold stripes, there is a two-headed eagle crowned with three crowns, on the chest of the eagle there is an oblique blue cross.
The badge on the order chain and the star of the order
The symbolism of the Andreevsky flag was a tribute to the memory of Peter I to his father, Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, who for the first time established a special flag for the first Russian military ship - the three-masted galliot "Eagle".
Peter I was personally involved in the design of the flag of the Russian fleet and drew several options. Peter I himself described the eighth (last) version of the flag as follows: “The flag is white, across this there is a blue St. Andrew's cross, with which he christened Russia”. In this form, the Andreevsky flag existed in Russian fleet until November 1917
On January 17, 1992, the Russian government adopted a resolution to return the status of the Russian Naval Flag to the St. Andrew's flag. February 15, 1992 St. Andrew's flag was consecrated in St. Petersburg in St. Nicholas Cathedral of the Epiphany.
Gyuys (bow flag of a ship or vessel) navy also bears the St. Andrew's Cross. Both flags (guis and stern) were replaced in 1918 with the flag of the RSFSR, and then with the newly created guis and the naval flag of the USSR.
Guys of the Russian Navy
The official banner of the Russian Navy is based on the flag of the Russian Navy, it was approved federal law No. 162 of December 29, 2000
The USSR was formed in 1922. All symbols of the power of the Russian Empire by that time had already been canceled for five years. The new state needed to approve its symbols, including the flag of the Soviet Navy. This took time because fighting did not stop for a long time.
During the history of the existence of the Soviet state, three sketches of the Navy were approved. Each of them had its own characteristics. The last option lasted forty-two years.
purpose
In the Ship Charter, the flag of the USSR Navy was designated as the Battle Banner. He was a symbol of military honor, glory, valor. His task was to remind the crew members of the duty, which was to protect the Soviet Motherland. The flag also served as a reminder of heroic traditions.
Description of the 1923 flag
The flag of the Soviet Navy first appeared in 1923. His sketch was developed by the captain of the first rank Ordynsky N. I. He took the banner of the Japanese Navy as a basis.
Description:
- rectangular shape in a ratio of three to two;
- red cloth;
- in the center of the canvas is a white circle, equal to half the width of the canvas, it symbolized the sun;
- eight white stripes radiate from the circle to the middle of the four sides and four corners;
- in the center of the circle is a five-pointed star, its color is red, one of its ends is turned upwards, its diameter is five-sixths of the diameter of the circle;
- in the star is a sickle and a white hammer.
In the same year, the flag was raised on military ships in honor of the fifth anniversary of October revolution. It was approved only in 1924.
Archival photographs have been preserved showing the destroyers Kalinin and Voikov with flags raised on board, designed by N. I. Ordynsky.
Description of the 1935 flag
The banner of 1923 lasted twelve years. Thoughts about his replacement began to arise among the country's leadership as early as 1932. At this time, the Naval Forces were created Far East. Three years later, the Pacific Fleet was created from them.
The existing Naval Ensign strongly resembled the symbol of an island state, which could cause problems. Therefore, in 1935 they approved the new flag of the USSR Navy, which lasted fifteen years.
Description:
- white canvas;
- a blue strip along the bottom of the cloth;
- the five-pointed star is painted red, it is placed in the middle of the left half of the canvas, one of the ends is directed upwards, the diameter of the figure is equal to two-thirds of the width of the entire banner;
- the red hammer and sickle are crossed among themselves, placed in the center of the right half of the cloth, the largest diameter of the symbol is equal to two thirds of the width of the white part of the cloth.
The ratio of white to blue is five to one. The dimensions of the canvas are three to two.
Description of the 1950 flag
By 1950, the flag of the Soviet Navy (photo below) was slightly modified. The regulation on this was not recorded in the Code of Laws of the Union. The appearance was approved only in 1964.
Description:
- white canvas with a blue stripe, which is placed along the bottom;
- in the left half of the white canvas is a red five-pointed star, one of its ends is directed upwards;
- on the right side of the white canvas there is a sickle with a red hammer, they are crossed among themselves, and the lower extreme points their handles and the lower extreme angles of the star are at the same level.
The dimensions of the flag of the USSR Navy for 1950 differ significantly from the previous version. The ratio of width to length became one to one and a half. The size of the five-pointed star has changed, it is visually equal to the crossed hammer and sickle. The width of the blue part became equal to one sixth of the entire width of the flag.
This is how the banner remained until 1992, until it was replaced with a modern symbol of the Navy of the Russian Federation.
Description of the guards variant
Character interpretation:
- star - a sign of the Red Army;
- crossed hammer and sickle - one of the main emblems of the Soviet state, meant an alliance between peasants and workers;
- the blue stripe is the symbol of the sea.
Recently, original flags have become popular among the population. Demand creates supply, so online stores have appeared that are engaged in the manufacture and sale of flags, as well as other paraphernalia of the USSR.
Navy Day is one of the most beloved folk holidays. Not the last role in this is played by the visual component: sailors in beautiful full dress, majestic ships on the roadsteads, flags fluttering in the wind.
Behind every naval tradition is a difficult experience and a unique historical path Russia. The same can be said about the symbols of our fleet and the main one - St. Andrew's flag. About its history, about the meanings and images that the blue oblique cross on a white field represents, TASS was told by a doctor of historical sciences, a senior researcher at the research institute ( military history) Military Academy General Staff RF Armed Forces Mikhail Monakov.
At the origins of tradition
The custom of hoisting flags on ships originated when the fleet was sailing. Then any exit to the sea could be the last - the ships died from irresistible natural forces, wars at sea were fought for decades, and in between them pirates hunted on the sea routes. Even then it had not only functional, but also the most important political and ritual significance. The appearance of the flag, its symbolism had to influence the minds and moods of the sailors in such a way as to maintain their faith in the patronage of higher powers, in the power of their sovereign and their country, to convince them that the person overshadowed by him is stronger than any enemy and sea elements.
The practical significance of flags in the era of sailing and at the beginning of the era of the steam fleet is obvious. Then there was still no “friend or foe” identification equipment, ships did not see each other beyond the horizon, which is why the probability of a sudden meeting with the enemy or “gentlemen of fortune” was high
Mikhail Monakov
Therefore, until a certain time, even "merchants" - commercial ships - went armed. At sea, they approached with some apprehension: before deciding on this, it was necessary to establish whether such a meeting would lead to serious consequences. Indeed, even between formally non-belligerent states, relations were sometimes such that, if the opportunity arose, they did not hesitate to seize ships and vessels from each other. It was possible to evade a dangerous approach, break away and escape pursuit, only in time to distinguish the flag of an oncoming ship.
Birth of the flag
Until the end of the 17th century, state symbols in Russia were in their infancy. Its use was limited, and it was not used to indicate the ownership of private cargo and fishing vessels that sailed along the inland routes and seas of the Russian North.
The regular navy in Russia appeared thanks to Peter the Great and his associates. In parallel with the creation of the fleet, its symbols were also formed.
From Western Europe in Russia came the separation of the flags of the military and commercial fleet in appearance and status. Today, on this basis, states can be distinguished whose maritime traditions date back to the Middle Ages, the code of chivalry and knightly symbols. At the top of this list is the UK. A similar division exists in maritime states historically associated with the British crown, and in some other countries, for example, in Japan, whose fleet is in late XIX century was built according to the British model.
The Netherlands, France and the United States do not have such a division - both on ships and on civilian ships, the state flag is used as the main symbol of nationality.
Authentic and time-bound sketches of flags, on the basis of which appearance and the main elements of the symbolism of the Russian state flag, the flags of the military and merchant fleet, date back to 1698–1699. It was then that Peter the Great returned from England, where he studied maritime affairs.
Mikhail Monakov
Senior Research Fellow, Research Institute (Military History), Doctor of Historical Sciences
There is reason to believe that a slightly modified Dutch one was taken as a sample of flags made for Russian ships and vessels that participated in the first and second Azov campaigns. Three colors - white, blue and red - are present in the state symbols of many countries. This is a very bright combination, easily perceived visually and memorable.
"The flags of Russian ships were tricolor, but how were these colors arranged in the form of some geometric shapes, vertical or horizontal stripes, we cannot reliably judge. On an engraving by the Dutchman Adrian Schonebeck, Russian ships carry stern and bow flags, with crosses (presumably of blue color) divided into rectangles (presumably white and red), located in checkerboard pattern. But these engravings were not made from nature, but according to the verbal descriptions of the participants in the campaign, and they cannot be trusted," explains Monakov.
The first images of the St. Andrew's Cross on naval flags also appear no earlier than 1698. Obviously, they are associated with the first award of the Russian Empire - the Order of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called, which was established by Peter. The basis of the symbolism of this order is a blue or azure oblique cross, on which the apostle was allegedly crucified, who was the first to accept the teachings of Jesus Christ and followed him.
In the British flag, or, as it is called, the "Union Jack", which Peter also liked very much, three crosses are connected - the British George (red on a white field), the Scottish St. Andrew's (white on a blue field) and later - the oblique red cross of St. Patrick honored in Ireland.
The first sketches of the Russian St. Andrew's flag, attributed to Peter the Great, indicate that the tsar tried to impose an oblique blue cross on the tricolor, but such an image was very difficult to read.
And then the first Russian emperor went the path of minimalism - left the azure St. Andrew's cross on a white field. It was a very functional approach - to make the flag highly visible, readable and at the same time different from others.
Creating a legend
Flag system Russian state created over a period of approximately 20 years. It was first described in the "Naval Military Regulations", which was published in 1720. "The introductory chapter of this charter opens with the words "The fleet is a French word." But then comes the prehistory of the Russian fleet. The following was implied: although this fleet was created not so long ago, its history and traditions are no less ancient and glorious than those of the leading maritime powers of that time," explains Monakov.
This chapter of the "Naval Charter" states that the first attempt to create a regular fleet in Russia was made under Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, the father of Peter the Great, but much earlier, several centuries before the creation of the British fleet, the Russians went to sea on their ships participated in naval battles. It is obvious that all this correlated with the idea of Elder Philotheus that "Moscow is the Third Rome, and there will be no fourth."
The basis of the state ideology of any European country of that time was Christianity. Russia accepted it in the 9th century, however, according to the legend about Andrew the First-Called, already in the 1st century he brought it to the lands Eastern Slavs and, preaching the teachings of Christ, went from the place where Kiev subsequently arose to the island of Valaam on Lake Ladoga.
"In the circle of Peter's associates was Archbishop Feofan Prokopovich - one of the largest figures in Russian Orthodoxy of the late 17th - early 18th centuries. According to some sources, he is a co-author of the introductory chapter to the "Naval Charter." I admit that it was he who inspired Peter the idea of making the symbol of the Military -Marine Fleet of Russia St. Andrew's Cross," Monakov notes.
Guys history
V early XVIII century into the Russian system state symbols a modified replica of the British "Union Jack" entered - this is the bow ship's ensign - guis.
From a practical point of view, its appearance is explained by the fact that at a certain angle the stern ensign of a ship sailing under full sail was not visible. First, they began to duplicate it with the same flag raised on the bow flagpole, and then, obviously, in order to emphasize the special role of the stern flag, they began to use a guis instead of the bow Andreevsky. Being raised on the main mast (the highest on a sailing ship), it acted as a "keyser flag" - a symbol of the power of the commander in chief of the fleet, and was also used as a flag for sea fortresses.
The "royal" standard - a rectangular panel with a black eagle on a yellow background - became the symbol of supreme power. It was raised when a royal was present on board.
Before late XVIII for centuries, the guis and the St. Andrew's flag were raised on all ships and vessels of the Russian fleet, regardless of their size and weapons. Later, the guis became the exclusive property of the largest and most powerful of them - ships of the first and second ranks. Initially, they carried this flag on the move, and then they began to raise it only while anchoring, barrel or mooring.
Mikhail Monakov
Senior Research Fellow, Research Institute (Military History), Doctor of Historical Sciences
In battle, in addition to the main (stern) flag, which, on the move, the ships of the domestic fleet carried on a hafel (a yard that was installed in the diametrical plane, perpendicular or at an angle to the mast), topmasts were raised on masts free from other flags and pennants. Thus, if one of the St. Andrew's flags was shot down in battle, at least one of them remained, and the ship could not find itself in a situation that outwardly resembled a surrender.
St. George's flag
In Russia, there was a special - honorary version of the St. Andrew's flag, but over the two centuries of the pre-revolutionary history of the Russian fleet, only two ships deserved it, the teams of which in battle showed mass heroism and high military skill.
Outwardly, it looked exactly the same, but in the center of the azure oblique cross was placed the coat of arms of the Grand Duchy of Moscow - St. George, striking a snake, on a scarlet (red) field. This flag was established in 1813 and presented to the Naval Guards crew, which fought as part of the Guards Corps in 1812 and in the Foreign Campaign of the Russian Army in 1813–1814. By decree of Emperor Alexander the First, the crew was awarded for the victory in the battle of Kulm.
Subsequently, the emperor ordered to raise St. George's Andreevsky flags on all ships assigned to the Guards crew. Received it first battleship"Azov", distinguished himself in the battle of Navarino. It is noteworthy that at that time the young lieutenant Pavel Nakhimov, midshipman Vladimir Kornilov and midshipman Vladimir Istomin served on it, and one of the greatest Russian admirals, the discoverer of Antarctica Mikhail Lazarev, commanded the Azov
Mikhail Monakov
Senior Research Fellow, Research Institute (Military History), Doctor of Historical Sciences
The second ship to receive the St. George's flag was the famous brig "Mercury", depicted in a painting by Ivan Aivazovsky. In 1829, under the command of lieutenant commander Alexander Kazarsky, this 20-gun brig dared to engage in battle with two Turkish ships of the line, each of which had 80 guns.
Then the St. George's flag was inherited by the cruisers "Pamyat Azov" and "Memory of Mercury" named after these two heroic ships.
Color flags
During the holiday, each ship from bow to stern is traditionally decorated with signal flags (coloring). Initially, they were intended for communication between ships in battle or a campaign - the transmission of signals with which the flagship controlled his squadron. First, they were raised flagship, and then the signal was rehearsed (repeated) by the ships ahead and following in the wake.
If the connection was numerous, rehearsal ships were assigned to speed up the transmission of flag signals. They went out of order, went in a parallel course, repeated the signals behind the flagship, and in this case they could be observed simultaneously from several ships of the squadron, which significantly reduced the time for fulfilling the orders of the commander
Mikhail Monakov
Senior Research Fellow, Research Institute (Military History), Doctor of Historical Sciences
Usually the signals were three-flag. Centuries-old maritime experience suggests that a person on a neighboring ship is not able to perceive more than three characters quickly and unambiguously. In the domestic fleet, each signal flag has a name and meaning that coincides with the name and meaning of the corresponding letter of the Old Slavonic alphabet: "az", "beeches", "lead" and so on.
Over time, these bright flags, which were used for their intended purpose and on solemn occasions (for example, at the highest reviews), began to be used as a festive decoration of ships - coloring flags. At the same time, a strict rule says that then they are "collected" without any system, so that there is no accidental combination of them that could be interpreted as a signal to be executed. Those that outwardly resemble the flags of other states are also excluded (there are such flags in the set of signal flags).
At night, the coloring flags are replaced by festive illuminations. This custom has existed since after sunset, during public holidays, garlands of lanterns suspended on masts were lit on warships, and luminous images in the form of the state emblem or imperial monogram were placed between them.
Traditions are alive
All the main maritime symbols passed from the sailing fleet to the steam fleet almost unchanged. He also inherited a special military ritual - the raising of the stern St. Andrew's flag and the guis (on those ships to which it is assigned by rank). Previously, this ceremony was held simultaneously with sunrise, but now according to the schedule, at eight in the morning.
The morning flag-raising ceremony has always been very solemn. In some ways, it was akin to the liturgy, which on the ships of the old fleet began with the words: "To prayer! Hats off!" And before the raising of the flag, the command sounded: "Hats off! Raise the flag!"
After the revolution, the Andreevsky flag was canceled, but the guis served in an almost unchanged form for some time. The most interesting thing is that the appearance of the first naval flag of the RKKF (or Naval Forces Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army of the USSR - approx. TASS), which existed until 1935, has something in common with guis - there are elements of both the St. George Cross and St. Andrew's.
It is also noteworthy that the Soviet naval flag, introduced in 1935, has the same basic colors - white and blue - as the Andreevsky flag. Only bright red elements have been added - a star, a sickle and a hammer.
"The modern ritual of raising and lowering the flag on Russian warships is different from the rituals in the navies of other countries. These are echoes of the old, imperial fleet. Wearing the flag at sea on the hafel, and not on the stern, is also a Russian tradition," adds Monakov.
When in 1992 on Russian ships raised the St. Andrew's flag again, it became a symbol of the inseparability of the pre-revolutionary and Soviet traditions of the Russian Navy. Today, the status of this flag has become even higher - it is legally equated with a battle banner, being a symbol of heroism, valor and honor of many generations of Russian sailors.
Prepared Anna Yudina
Naval flags of Russia
Russia for a long time did not have a navy, as it had no access to the seas. Providing Russia with a sea coast and building a fleet are tasks that only Peter I managed to solve for the first time.
True, in 1667-1669, during the reign of Alexei Mikhailovich, foreign craftsmen built the first Russian ship, the Eagle, which was to sail along the Volga and the Caspian Sea. This ship did not reach the sea, as it fell into the hands of the Razintsy and was burned by them, however, it is known that flags of white, blue and red colors were hung on the ship. Peter I chose the same colors for his newly built fleet.
Along with the well-known white-blue-red flag, Peter also established the St. Andrew's flag - white with an oblique blue cross.
Initially, both white-blue-red and St. Andrew's flags were equally used in the military and civilian fleets. The division of the flags into naval and commercial took place only in 1705.
Under Peter I, the Russian guis also appeared, the basis of which was the blue St. Andrew's cross, placed on a red cloth and complemented by a straight narrow white cross.
The stern St. Andrew's flag and the guis have since remained the same flags of the Russian Navy until 1917.
For ships that distinguished themselves in battles, special St. George's flags and pennants. On them in the center of the St. Andrew's Cross was placed the image of St. George the Victorious in a red shield.
After the October Revolution of 1917, some of the ships remained under the St. Andrew's flag, but some raised red flags. In the years civil war and intervention
most of the ships of all fleets were captured by the invaders. The same ships that remained under the authority of the Soviet government carried the state flag - red with a yellow inscription "Russian Socialist Soviet Federative Republic".
On September 29, 1920, the All-Russian Central Executive Committee issued a decree according to which the naval flag of the Soviet Republic became "a red flag with an anchor, a red star in the middle of it and white letters" RSFSR "in the upper part of the anchor." The anchor was blue, and the flag itself had two pigtails.
In 1924, in connection with the formation of the USSR, a system of naval flags was approved. The naval flag was a red cloth with a white circle and eight rays (the sun), in the center of which was a red five-pointed star with a hammer and sickle.
Guys was very similar to the pre-revolutionary one, but in the center of it was also placed a white circle with a star, a sickle and a hammer.
Special flags have been approved for various types of ships and for officials.
For auxiliary, port, hydrographic and pilotage vessels, blue flags were installed with
maritime flag in the roof. The flag of the border courts was green for the first time.
On May 27, 1935, the Naval flag was changed and acquired the form in which it existed until the collapse of the Soviet Union. It was a white cloth with a blue stripe along the lower edge and depicting a red hammer and sickle and a five-pointed star.
Guys also changed - it became a red cloth with a white outline of a five-pointed star and a hammer and sickle inside it.
Under these flags, the fleet of the USSR fought during the Great Patriotic War. On June 21, 1942, for the ships that distinguished themselves in battle, the Guards Naval flag with the image of the St. George's Ribbon was installed. In fact, this was the revival of the old St. George's flag.
In the second half of the twentieth century, the appearance of the flags of naval vessels and the flags of commanders changed several times, as did the very structure of the fleet and the names of the posts, but the stern Naval ensign itself remained unchanged.
After the collapse Soviet Union the question of symbolism arose sharply Russian army and fleet. Naturally, when choosing a flag for the Navy, preference was given to the historical St. Andrew's flag, which had become famous for more than two centuries. By decree of the President of Russia dated July 21, 1992, the historical Russian Naval flag and guis were restored. In general, the system of naval flags remained, for the most part, the same. The naval flag of the USSR in the roof was simply replaced by Andreevsky there.
St. Andrew's Flag Day
On December 11, St. Andrew's Flag Day is celebrated in Russia. In the review of the Military Pro - the history of the naval St. Andrew's flag. It is also possible to buy St. Andrew's flag and other goods with the symbols of the Russian maritime flag.
The history of the creation of the Andreevsky flag
A mandatory state attribute is a flag, which is created based on a combination of different colors and symbols. But other administrative-territorial units, international organizations, government agencies and military formations also have their own banners.
For the army, the flag does not just play a symbolic role, but is one of the main elements of the existence of a combat unit. In the old days, the loss of a battle banner could lead to the dissolution of the entire unit, which could not keep track of its flag.
The history of the creation of the Russian navy is connected with Peter the Great, who, after his trip to Europe, decided on the need to form strong army on the sea.
A new military formation required its own flag, so the emperor personally took up its development. A total of 8 options were drawn, of which the most successful was chosen. The actual history of the St. Andrew's flag in Russia dates back to December 11, 1699.
At first, the St. Andrew's Cross was simply added to the banner, and the full transition to the flag in its usual form took place in 1712, after which it was used on all ships of the Russian squadron.
It is worth noting that the St. Andrew's Cross is rooted in the distant past, associated with religious events. The fact is that one of the apostles - Andrew the First-Called - was executed by crucifixion on an oblique cross, after which he began to be called St. Andrew's.
This symbol is very popular in heraldry and is often used on flags in various variations. It can be seen on the banners of Jamaica, Great Britain, Scotland, Australia, British territories, various regional associations and organizations.
Having finally approved the Russian St. Andrew's flag, the emperor uttered the following phrase: "The flag is white, through which the blue cross of St. Andrew for the sake of Russia receiving holy baptism from this apostle."
It was under this banner that the imperial fleet won a large number of glorious victories and accomplished a lot of heroic deeds. In the entire history of battles, of which there will be several dozen, the Andreevsky flag was lowered by the team only twice.
For the first time, the frigate Raphael voluntarily capitulated, surrendering to the mercy of the Turkish squadron in May 1829, and the second time 5 ships surrendered at once during the Tsushima battle of the Russo-Japanese War.
The importance of the banner for the fleet is evidenced by the fact that in the parting word before the battle, the commander of the ship said at the end the phrase: “God and St. Andrew's flag are with us!” It was necessary to defend the banner to the last, and, in extreme cases, to destroy it, but not to give it into the hands of the enemy.
St. Andrew's flag in the USSR
The Andreevsky flag of the Navy lost its official status in 1917 after the revolution. But until 1924, it was used by the ships of the rebellious White Guards, who fought to restore the monarchy. V Soviet times all symbols of imperial Russia were banned.
In the Second World War, under the Andreevsky flag, the collaborationist army of General Vlasov fought. Because of this, a part of the population perceives a white flag crossed out with a blue cross negatively. But here it is worth noting that just not everyone knows the true origin and meaning of this symbol.
St. Andrew's Flag Day of Russia
The naval St. Andrew's flag after the collapse of the USSR was returned to the Russian fleet on January 17, 1992. It is noteworthy that the day before, a meeting of the heads of the CIS powers took place, at which a joint decision was made to return the historical banners to the ships.
On July 21, 1992, a corresponding decree of the President of the Russian Federation was signed on the use of the Andreevsky flag by all combat units of the Navy.
It was decided to celebrate St. Andrew's Flag Day on December 11th to pay tribute to its creator. For the population as a whole, this day passes almost unnoticed, but in the Navy, the date is one of the main dates of the year.
All sailors congratulate each other on the holiday, and gala dinners are served on ships. The command also holds lectures on the history of the Russian fleet in order to raise the morale of the personnel and show that they can be proud of their ancestors.
The maritime St. Andrew's flag flies not only on the ships of the fleet, but also over the Kronstadt lighthouse. It is this port city that is the cradle of the Russian fleet, so here, contrary to established tradition, not regional symbols are used, but a military banner.
Although there are no symbols associated with the St. Andrew's Cross on the city's flag itself, none of the townspeople object to such symbolism.
Where to buy symbols with St. Andrew's flag?
You can buy gifts with St. Andrew's flag at the Voenpro military store. The online store offers the richest collection of accessories with prints of the Russian navy.
Here you can find themed t-shirts, sweatshirts, sweatshirts, hats and a lot of other items of clothing. All images are applied with modern technologies, so that they can withstand numerous washing cycles and not lose their original appearance under the influence of external factors.
Delivery is carried out to any city in the world, and the client can choose a payment method from numerous options.
There are also other souvenirs with St. Andrew's flag on sale. For example, you can buy a flask, a keychain, a lighter, and many, many other useful items that will have practical applications.
Any sailor will gladly accept such a thing as a gift, which will always remind him of his belonging to the sea element. Even on the shore, he will always remember the endless blue expanses.
The flag itself is also sold in Voenpro, and you can choose sizes from a small flag on the glass in a car, to a huge banner that you can put in your yard.
