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Flag of Armenia

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Republic of Armenia
Armenian: Եռագույն
UseNational flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag
Proportion1∶2
Adopted28 May 1918 (re-adopted on 24 August 1990)
DesignA horizontal tricolour of red, blue, and orange
Designed byStepan Malkhasyants
UsePresidential Standard
Proportion1:2
DesignA horizontal tricolour of red, blue, and orange, defaced with the presidential seal at its centre.

The national flag of Armenia (Armenian: Հայաստանի դրոշ, romanized: Hayastani drosh), also known as the tricolour (Armenian: Եռագույն, Yeṙaguyn), consists of three horizontal bands of equal width, red on the top, blue in the middle, and orange on the bottom.[1] The Armenian Supreme Soviet adopted the current flag on 24 August 1990. On 15 June 2006, the Law on the National Flag of Armenia, governing its usage, was passed by the National Assembly of Armenia.

Throughout history, there have been many variations of the Armenian flag. In ancient times, Armenian dynasties were represented by different symbolic animals displayed on their flags.[2] In the twentieth century, various Soviet flags represented the Armenian SSR.

The meanings of the colours are interpreted in many different ways. The red stands for the Armenian highlands, the Armenian people's continued struggle for survival, maintenance of the Christian faith and Armenia's independence and freedom, blue is for the Armenian peaceful skies, and orange represents the nation's talent and hard-work.[3]

Design

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The symbolism of the flag's colors is officially given in the Constitution of Armenia:

The red emblematizes the Armenian Highland, the Armenian people's continued struggle for survival, maintenance of the Christian faith, Armenia's independence and freedom. The blue emblematizes the will of the people of Armenia to live beneath peaceful skies. The orange emblematizes the creative talent and hard-working nature of the people of Armenia.[3]

In 2012, the Armenian National Institute of Standards (SARM) issued specifications about the construction and colours on the national flag:[4]

Scheme Red Blue Orange
Pantone 485 286 1235
CMYK 0–100–100–0 100–80–0–0 0–35–100–0
RGB 217–0–18 0–51–160 242–168–0
HEX #D90012 #0033A0 #F2A800

History

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Further information: List of Armenian flags

Today's tricolour flag bears little resemblance to the earliest Armenian 'flags'. In ancient times, armies went into battle behind carvings mounted on poles. The carvings might represent a dragon, an eagle, a lion or "some mysterious object of the gods".[2]

Middle Ages

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During the invasion of the Arabs, despite stronger resistance than even the Persian, Armenia came under control Umayyad Caliphate, and on its territory the Armenian Emirate was created, stretching from modern Baku and Derbent in the east to the sources of the Euphrates in the west and from the Terek River in the north to Lake Urmia in the south. The emirate received a flag, which is a black cloth without any additional elements on it.

In 885, Armenia gained independence and the flag, which is a dark red canvas with the image of a white leopard and a Christian cross on it. Now the "Ani leopard" from this flag is also an element of the flag and coat of arms of the second largest city and cultural capital of Armenia - Gyumri. Unlike the flags of Greater Armenia, the flag of Armenian Kingdom was not the flag of the ruling dynasty.

In 1080, the Kingdom of Cilicia was founded. For almost four centuries, three royal dynasties have changed there, and each of them changed the country's flag to its own, dynastic one.

  • Possible reconstruction of the flag of the Rubenid dynasty (1375)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flagSmall vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Possible reconstruction of the flag of the Rubenid dynasty (1375)
  • Possible reconstruction of the flag of the Rubenid dynasty (1375)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flagSmall vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Possible reconstruction of the flag of the Rubenid dynasty (1375)
  • Reconstruction of the flag of the Rubenid dynasty (1375)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flagSmall vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Reconstruction of the flag of the Rubenid dynasty (1375)
  • Reconstruction of the flag of the Hasan-Jalalyan dynasty (1214−)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flagSmall vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Reconstruction of the flag of the Hasan-Jalalyan dynasty (1214−)
  • Reconstruction of the Royal Standard of Grand Prince Hasan-Jalalyan Vahtangian (1214−1261)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Reconstruction of the Royal Standard of Grand Prince Hasan-Jalalyan Vahtangian (1214−1261)

19th century

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After Armenia was split between the Persian and the Ottoman Empire, the idea of an Armenian flag ceased to exist for some time. The Armenian Catholic priest Father Ghevont Alishan created a new flag for Armenia in 1885, after the Armenian Students Association of Paris requested one for the funeral of the French writer Victor Hugo. Alishan's first design was a horizontal tricolour, the top band was red, symbolizing the first Sunday of Easter (called "Red" Sunday), followed by a green band to represent the "Green" Sunday of Easter, and finally an arbitrary colour, white, was chosen to complete the combination.[2] While in France, Alishan also designed a second flag. Its colours were either red, green, and either blue or yellow, representing the rainbow that Noah saw after landing on Mount Ararat.[2]

  • Reconstruction of Alishan's first flag (1885)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flagSmall vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Reconstruction of Alishan's first flag
    (1885)
  • Reconstruction of Alishan's second flag
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flagSmall vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Reconstruction of Alishan's second flag

First Republic of Armenia

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After gaining independence, the First Republic of Armenia adopted the modern Armenian tricolour. Upon Stepan Malkhasyants's appearance in the Armenian National Council,[5] the independent Armenian government selected the colours used during the Lusignan period: red, blue and yellow. An earlier prototype, which was eventually rejected, was the rainbow flag.[6] This prototype can be seen at the Martiros Saryan House Museum in Yerevan, Armenia. They chose to replace the yellow with orange "because it merged better with the other two colors, presenting a more pleasing composition".[2] The flag of independent Armenia then had a ratio of 2:3, but on 24 August 1990, when the Armenian Supreme Soviet adopted it as the flag of the Republic of Armenia, the ratio was changed to 1:2.[7]

  • Flag of the First Republic of Armenia[8] (1918–1922)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag of the First Republic of Armenia[8]
    (1918–1922)
  • Proposed tricolor flag by Martiros Saryan
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Proposed tricolor flag by Martiros Saryan
  • Proposed rainbow flag by Martiros Saryan
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Proposed rainbow flag by Martiros Saryan
  • Proposed flag using the color scheme of Alishan's second flag, with an image of Noah's Ark atop Mount Ararat
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Proposed flag using the color scheme of Alishan's second flag, with an image of Noah's Ark atop Mount Ararat
  • Proposed flag by the Mekhitarists
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Proposed flag by the Mekhitarists

Early Soviet Armenia and the Transcaucasian SFSR

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Main article: Flag of the Transcaucasian SFSR
Flag of the Transcaucasian SFSR
(1922–1936)

On 29 November 1920 Bolsheviks established the Armenian SSR. An old flag was introduced and fixed in the Constitution, accepted on 2 February 1922 by the First Congress of Soviets of the Armenian SSR.[9] That flag existed only for a month, because on 12 March the Armenian SSR united with the Georgian SSR and the Azerbaijan SSR under the Transcaucasian SFSR (TSFSR). On 30 December 1922 the Transcaucasian SFSR became one of the four Soviet republics that united to form the USSR. The flag of the republic had a hammer and sickle inserted into a star with initials "ЗСФСР" (ZSFSR) written in Russian sans-serif script. These letters stand for Закавказская Советская Федеративная Социалистическая Республика (Zakavkazskaya Sovetskaya Federativnaya Socialisticheskaya Respublika, "Transcaucasian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic").[9] In 1936, the TSFSR was broken up into its two constituent regions, which were named the Georgian SSR and the Armenian SSR.

Armenian SSR

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Main article: Flag of the Armenian SSR

As a republic of the USSR, the Armenian SSR introduced its first flag in 1936. Very similar to the flag of the Soviet Union, it was red and featured a yellow hammer and sickle in the corner. These initials, in the Western Armenian language, stand for Haygagan Khorhurtayin Sodzialistakan Hanrabedutyun, or the "Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic". In the 1940s, the flag was altered to use the Eastern Armenian language spoken in the Republic. The initials were changed to "H-S-S-R" meaning "Hayastani Sovetakan Sotsialistakan Republika" in the Eastern Armenian pronunciation. In 1952, a new flag was introduced. The initials were removed completely and in their place a horizontal blue stripe was added.

In late May 1988, amid rising nationalist tensions due to glasnost and perestroika, the leader of the Communist Party of Armenia, Suren Harutyunyan [hy], allowed the previously banned flag of the First Republic of Armenia to fly in Yerevan for the first time in over sixty years.[10] A year later, following a Nagorno-Karabakh-themed mass demonstration where the tricolour was flown, he urged its official recognition.[11] This came on 24 August 1990, a day after the Armenian Supreme Soviet declared the republic's sovereignty and renamed the country the Republic of Armenia. At that point, just over a year before Armenia declared its formal independence from the USSR, the tricolour replaced the 1952 flag.

  • Flag of the Armenian SSR (February–March 1922)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag of the Armenian SSR
    (February–March 1922)
  • Flag of the Armenian SSR (1936−1940)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag of the Armenian SSR
    (1936−1940)
  • Flag of the Armenian SSR (1940−1952)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag of the Armenian SSR
    (1940−1952)
  • Flag of the Armenian SSR, obverse (1952–1990)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flagSmall vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag of the Armenian SSR, obverse
    (1952–1990)
  • Flag of the Armenian SSR, reverse (1952–1990)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flagSmall vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag of the Armenian SSR, reverse
    (1952–1990)
  • Flag of the Armenian SSR (1990−1991)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag of the Armenian SSR
    (1990−1991)

Usage

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The flag waving at the Armenian Embassy in Washington, D.C.
The Armenian flag formed the basis of the livery of Armavia, seen here on one of the airline's Sukhoi Superjets.

The 2006 law on the National Flag of Armenia states that the flag has to be raised on the following public buildings:

  • Residence of the President
  • Parliament
  • Government
  • Constitutional Court
  • Office of Public Prosecutor
  • Central Bank of Armenia
  • Other governmental buildings

The law requires the lowering of the flag to the midpoint of the flagpole on the days of mourning or during mourning ceremonies. A black ribbon needs to be placed at the top of the flag; the length of the ribbon should be equal to the length of the flag. The flying flag has to be raised in its entirety, clean, and unfaded; moreover, the lower part of the flag should be at least 2.5 m off the ground.[12]

National flag days

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The day of the National Flag of Armenia is marked on 15 June every year. The day is chosen for the reason that the Armenian law on the National Flag of Armenia was passed on 15 June 2006.[13] The day of the Armenian tricolour was celebrated for the first time on 15 June 2010 in Yerevan.[14]

The daily display of the Armenian flag is encouraged, but legally required only on the following days:[15][16]

  • 1 January, 2 January – New Year
  • 6 January – Christmas
  • 8 March – International Women's Day
  • 7 April – Motherhood and Beauty Day
  • 1 May – International Worker's Solidarity Day
  • 9 May – Victory and Peace Day
  • 28 May – First Armenian Republic Day, 1918
  • 5 July – Constitution Day, 1995
  • 21 September – Independence Day, 1991
  • 7 December – Spitak Earthquake Memorial Day, 1988

Sub-national flags

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Municipalities

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Influence

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The national flag is also mentioned in the song "Mer Hayrenik" (Our Fatherland), the national anthem of Armenia. Specifically, the second and third stanzas sing about the creation of the national flag:

Brother, take this banner,
Made with my own hands,
During sleepless nights,
And bathed in my tears.
(repeat previous two lines)

See, it has three colours;
A single hallowed symbol.
May it sparkle before the foe,
May Armenia flourish ever!
(repeat previous two lines)[17]

Flag of Artsakh

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Main article: Flag of the Republic of Artsakh
See also: Coat of arms of the Republic of Artsakh
Flag of the Republic of Artsakh was the Armenian flag defaced with the white sideways zig-zag chevron in the fly.

On 2 June 1992, the Republic of Artsakh, a now-defunct de facto independent republic in South Caucasus, adopted a flag derived from the flag of Armenia, with only a white pattern added. A white, five-toothed, stepped carpet pattern was added to the flag, beginning at the two verges of the cloth's right side and connecting at a point equal to one-third of the distance from that side.[18] The white pattern symbolized the separation of Artsakh from Armenia proper and its aspiration for eventual union with "the Fatherland".[19] This symbolized the Armenian heritage, culture and population of the area and represents Artsakh as being a separated region of Armenia by the triangular shape and the zigzag cutting through the flag. The pattern was also similar to the designs used on rugs. The ratio of the flag's breadth to its length is 1:2, same as the Armenian tricolour.[18]

Flag of the Pan-Armenian Games

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In addition to the flag of Artsakh, the Armenian flag colors influenced the design of the Pan-Armenian Games flag. In the center of the light blue flag are six interlocking rings, derived from the Olympic rings. The sixth, orange-colored ring, interlocks with the blue and red rings, which symbolize Armenia. Above the rings is a flame in the colors of the Armenian flag.[20]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "State Symbols". www.mfa.am (in Amharic). Retrieved 30 January 2024. The national flag of the Republic of Armenia is a national emblem of the Republic of Armenia. The national flag of the Republic of Armenia is of three colors in stripes of the same width - red, blue, orange respectively from top to bottom. The Red emblematizes the Armenian Highland, the Armenian people's continued struggle for survival, maintenance of the Christian faith, Armenia's independence and freedom. The Blue emblematizes the will of the people of Armenia to live beneath peaceful skies. The Orange emblematizes the creative talent and hard-working nature of the people of Armenia.
  2. ^ a b c d e "The Evolution of the Armenian Flag". Armenianheritage.com. Archived from the original on 28 May 2005. Retrieved 5 January 2007.
  3. ^ a b "General Information: section the Flag". Government of Republic of Armenia. Retrieved 21 October 2010.
  4. ^ "HST 50-2012 - General Specifications of the Republic of Armenia flag (AM)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 October 2017. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
  5. ^ "Республика Армения (Republic of Armenia)" (in Russian). Russian Centre of Vexillology and Heraldry. 28 March 2003. Archived from the original on 22 June 2006. Retrieved 9 January 2006.
  6. ^ "Հայկական դրոշի «սարյանական թեզի» առեղծվածը կամ ի՞նչ կապ կա հայոց եռագույնի և ծիածանի գույների միջև (լուսանկարներ)" [The mystery of the "Saryan thesis" of the Armenian flag or what is the connection between the Armenian tricolor "rainbow colors" (photos)]. Tert.am (in Armenian). 17 June 2012. Archived from the original on 31 May 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  7. ^ "Armenia: First Republic (1918–1921)". Flags of the World. Archived from the original on 7 December 2006. Retrieved 9 January 2007.
  8. ^ Hovhannissian, Petros (2009). "Հայաստանի աոաջին Հանրապետության պետական դրոշի՝ Մարտիրոս Սարյանի նախագիծը [The design of the national flag of the First Republic of Armenia by Martiros Sarian]". Etchmiadzin (in Armenian). 65 (5). Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin: 118–119.
  9. ^ a b "Cоветская Армения (Soviet Armenia)" (in Russian). Russian Centre of Vexillology and Heraldry. 14 November 2004. Retrieved 20 January 2007.
  10. ^ De Waal, Thomas (2004). Black garden: Armenia and Azerbaijan through peace and war. New York: New York Univ. Press. pp. 60–61. ISBN 978-0-8147-1945-9.
  11. ^ King, Sarah; Cushman, Donald, eds. (1992). Political Communication: Engineering Visions of Order in the Socialist World. Albany: State University of New York Press. p. 102. ISBN 978-0-7914-1201-5.
  12. ^ "The Law of the Republic of Armenia about the national flag" (in Armenian). Armenian Legal Information System. Retrieved 28 March 2008.
  13. ^ "Demotix news: State Flag Day celebrations in Armenia". Archived from the original on 20 June 2010. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  14. ^ "Yerevan Report: Armenian Flag Day Marked on June 15". Archived from the original on 10 February 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2010.
  15. ^ "Flag Days Of The World". Flags of the World. Retrieved 29 December 2006.
  16. ^ "About Armenia". Permanent Mission of Armenia to the United Nations. Archived from the original on 13 June 2007. Retrieved 29 December 2006.
  17. ^ "Lyrics of Mer Hayrenik". National Anthems.net. Retrieved 10 January 2007.
  18. ^ a b "Attributes of Statehood". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Artsakh. Archived from the original on 16 December 2006. Retrieved 9 January 2007.
  19. ^ "Flag of Artsakh". Flags of the World. Retrieved 9 January 2007.
  20. ^ "Armenia: Sport flags". Flags of the World. Retrieved 9 January 2007.
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