Flag of the Russian Federation. The aspect ratio of 2:3 is set by the Constitutional Law.

The flag of Russia is a tricolor of three equal horizontal fields, white on the top, blue in the middle and red on the bottom. The flag was first used as an ensign for merchant and war ships and only became official in 1896. Rumored to be based off of the Dutch tricolor, the flag was in use until the 1917 Revolution, which toppled the tsar and established a communist government. For that time period, a red flag charged with communist symbols was favored over the tricolor. It was not until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 that the tricolor was brought back as the official flag of the new Russian Federation. The modern era flag underwent a slight change in 1993 and has been official since 2000. The flag of Russia provided the Pan-Slavic colours of red, blue and white that appear in the flags of Slavic countries. Image File history File links Flag_of_Russia. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Russia. ... Image File history File links FIAV_111100. ... The aspect ratio of a two-dimensional shape is the ratio of its longer dimension to its shorter dimension. ... French tricolour flag A tricolour is a flag or banner having three colours, usually in approximately equal size (horizontally or vertically) and lacking additional symbols. ... This article is about the color. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Red is any of a number of similar colors evoked by light consisting predominantly of the longest wavelengths of light discernible by the human eye, in the wavelength range of roughly 625–750 nm. ... Flag ratio: 2:3 The national flag of the Netherlands, with its three equal horizontal bands coloured red (top), white and blue is the oldest tricolour still in use today. ... The Russian Revolution of 1917 was a series of political and social upheavals in Russia, involving first the overthrow of the tsarist autocracy, and then the overthrow of the liberal and moderate-socialist Provisional Government, resulting in the establishment of Soviet power under the control of the Bolshevik party. ... Tsar, (Bulgarian цар�, Russian царь; often spelled Czar or Tzar in English), was the title used for the autocratic rulers of the First and Second Bulgarian Empires since 913, in Serbia in the middle of the 14th century, and in Russia from 1547 to 1917. ... Historically, and most generally, the red flag is an international symbol for the blood of angry workers. ... The rise of Gorbachev Although reform stalled between 1964–1982, the generational shift gave new momentum for reform. ... Panslavic flag approved at the Pan-Slav convention in Prague in 1848 The Pan-Slavic colours, red, blue and white, are colours used on the flags of some Slavic peoples and states in which the majority of inhabitants possess a Slavic background. ...

History

The "coat of arms flag", erroneously called "Romanov dynastic flag": the official national flag of the Russian Empire from 1858 to 1883.

There was no universally accepted flag for Russia until the middle of the 17th century. The earliest mention of the flag occurs during the reign of Tsar Alexis I, in 1668, and is related to the construction of the first Russian naval ship Oryol (The Eagle, Russian: Орёл). Image File history File links Romanov_Flag. ... Image File history File links Romanov_Flag. ... The House of Romanov (Рома́нов, pronounced ) was the second and last imperial dynasty of Russia, which ruled the country for five generations from 1613 to 1761. ... Anthem: God Save the Tsar! The Russian Empire in 1914 Capital Saint Petersburg Language(s) Russian Government Monarchy Emperor  - 1721-1725 Peter the Great (first)  - 1894-1917 Nicholas II (last) History  - Established 22 October, 1721  - February Revolution 2 March, 1917 Area  - 1897 22,400,000 km2 8,648,688 sq... 1858 (MDCCCLVIII) is a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... 1883 (MDCCCLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... (16th century - 17th century - 18th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 17th century was that century which lasted from 1601-1700. ... Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich (Russian: Алексей Михайлович) (March 9, 1629 (O.S.) - January 29, 1676 (O.S.)) was a Tsar of Russia during some of the most eventful decades of the mid-17th century. ... 1668 (MDCLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Wednesday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ...

According to one source, the choice of the colors may originate from the Dutch flag, and is related to the nationality of the ship's lead engineer Butler. During the construction, he faced the need for the flag, and issued a request to the Boyar Duma, to "...ask His Tsarist Majesty as to which (as is the custom among other nations) flag shall be raised on the ship." The official response merely indicated that, as such issue is as yet unprecedented, even though the land forces do use (apparently different) flags, the Tsar ordered that his (Butler's) opinion be sought about the matter, asking specifically as to the custom existing in his country. The Netherlands had at the time already settled on its current flag, consisting of red, white and blue stripes, which Butler duly told the Tsar. Flag ratio: 2:3 The national flag of the Netherlands, with its three equal horizontal bands coloured red (top), white and blue, was not the countrys first flag. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with State Duma. ... Tsar (Bulgarian, Serbian and Macedonian цар, Russian  , Croatian car, in scientific transliteration respectively car and car ), occasionally spelled Czar or Tzar and sometimes Csar or Zar in English, is a Slavonic term designating certain monarchs. ... Flag ratio: 2:3 The national flag of the Netherlands, with its three equal horizontal bands coloured red (top), white and blue is the oldest tricolour still in use today. ...

This conversation apparently took notice, as the source proceeds to describe the materials bought "overseas" for the ship, and specifically mentions red, blue and white fabric. It is not at all certain, however, that the choice of the colors was effected by the Dutch flag. Another possibility is that the flag repeats the colour choice of the Coat of arms of Moscow; that emblem is alleged by at least one author (Prince Aleksandr Putyanin) to effectively be the first Russian flag. The different theories about colour origins of the Russian flag are discussed in more detail below. A modern coat of arms is derived from the medi val practice of painting designs onto the shield and outer clothing of knights to enable them to be identified in battle, and later in tournaments. ... Location Position of Moscow in Europe Government Country District Subdivision Russia Central Federal District Federal City Mayor Yuriy Luzhkov Geographical characteristics Area  - City 1,081 km² Population  - City (2007)    - Density 10,469,000   9684. ...

A different account traces the origin of the Russian flag to Tsar Peter the Great's visit to the Netherlands in 1699. The tsar, who went there to learn about shipbuilding, realized the need for Russia to have a flag for its navy too. While differing in the circumstances, the two flag origin version agree on the Dutch flag influence. However, there are historical reasons to doubt that the flag was chosen as late as Peter's reign. One of the strongest arguments against that comes from a German flag book of 1695 by Carel Allard, which is considered to be one of the world's first flag books. Printed two years before Peter's trip to Western Europe, the book already describes three flags of a similar design noted as belonging to the either Tsar of Muscovy, or Muscovy itself. One of the three flags shown is the tricolor with a double-headed eagle holding a a shield in its hands, and wearing a golden crown over both of its heads. Another is the tricolor with a blue saltire over it, and the third consists of two white (top left and bottom right) and two red (top right and bottom left) squares, with a blue cross in the middle.^[1] The Grand Embassy (1697–1698) is incognito voyage of Russian Tsar Peter the Great to Western Europe, whose main official purpose was to secure allies against Ottoman Empire, but it was also intended to gather information on the economic and cultural life of Europe. ... Events January 26 - Treaty of Karlowitz signed March 30 - the tenth Sikh Master, Guru Gobind Singh created the Khalsa. ... Men from Francisco de Orellanas expedition building a small brigantine, the San Pedro, to be used in the search for food Shipbuilding is the construction of ships. ... The multinational Combined Task Force One Five Zero (CTF-150) The British Grand Fleet, the supreme naval force of World War I A rare occurrence of a 5-country multinational fleet, during Operation Enduring Freedom in the Oman Sea. ... Jan. ... Muscovy (Moscow principality (княжество Московское) to Grand Duchy of Moscow (Великое Княжество Московское) to Russian Tsardom (Царство Русское)) is a traditional Western name for the Russian state that existed from the 14th century to the late 17th century. ...

The flag was used as naval and military ensign since 1693 at least, and was adopted as a merchant flag in 1705. On May 7, 1883 it was authorized to be used on land. However, it did not became an official national flag (State Flag) until the coronation of Tsar Nicholas II in 1896. Events January 11 - Eruption of Mt. ... The civil ensign (a. ... // Events Construction begins on Blenheim Palace, in Oxfordshire, England. ... May 7 is the 127th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (128th in leap years). ... 1883 (MDCCCLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Nicholas II of Russia (18 May [O.S. 6 May] 1868 – 17 July [O.S. 4 July] 1918) (Russian: , Nikolay II) was the last Emperor of Russia, King of Poland,[1] and Grand Duke of Finland. ...

Meaning and origin of the colors

Flag of the Russian Empire "for the private use" in 1914-1917

While there are several theories as to the origin and reason for the choice of white, blue and red for the colors, none is currently accepted as universally correct. There is no official meaning assigned to the colors in Russian laws. Image File history File links Russian_Empire_1914_17. ... Image File history File links Russian_Empire_1914_17. ...

The three colors purportedly came from the coat of arms of the Grand Duchy of Moscow, which depict Saint George wearing white (silver) armor, riding a white horse, wearing a blue cape and holding a blue shield, on a red field. According to another version, these three colors were associated with the robes of the Virgin Mary, the holy protectress of Russia. A modern coat of arms is derived from the medi val practice of painting designs onto the shield and outer clothing of knights to enable them to be identified in battle, and later in tournaments. ... Coat of arms The growth of Muscovy-Russia. ... Saint-George is a municipality with 695 inhabitants (as of 2003) in the district of Aubonne in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland. ... Our Lady redirects here. ...

Yet another interpretation of the three colors is the order that they are placed reflected the Russian social system while under the monarchy: white represents God, blue represents the Tsar and red represents the peasants. A very common interpretation is the association of colors with the main parts of the Russian Empire: White thus represents White Russia (Belarus), blue the Ukraine or Small Russia ("Malorossia"), Red the Russian mainland.

A different interpretation associates white with the bright future (where the colur itself is associated with brightness, while its placement at the top - with future); blue with clouded present, and red with bloody past.

Several other theories have been proposed, with some allegedly coming from officials of Russian Federations in the USA.

Flags of Russia in chronological order

Flag of Russian Empire 1699-1858 Image File history File links Flag_of_Russia. ... Anthem: God Save the Tsar! The Russian Empire in 1914 Capital Saint Petersburg Language(s) Russian Government Monarchy Emperor  - 1721-1725 Peter the Great (first)  - 1894-1917 Nicholas II (last) History  - Established 22 October, 1721  - February Revolution 2 March, 1917 Area  - 1897 22,400,000 km2 8,648,688 sq...	Flag of Russian Empire 1858-1883 Image File history File links Romanov_Flag. ...	Flag of Russian Empire 1883-1917 Image File history File links Flag_of_Russia. ...	Flag of Russian Empire "for private use" 1914-1917 Image File history File links Russian_Empire_1914_17. ...
Flag of Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic 1918-1923 Image File history File links Flag_RSFSR_1918. ... State motto: Russian: Пролетарии всех стран, соединяйтесь! Translation: Workers of the world, unite! Capital Moscow Official language Russian Established In the USSR:  - Since  - Until November 7, 1917 November 7, 1917 December 12, 1991 (dissolution) Area  - Total  - Water (%) Ranked 1st in the USSR 17,075,200 km² 13% Population  - Total   - Density Ranked 1st in the...	Flag of Russian SFSR 1954-1991; proportions 1:2 Image File history File links Flag_of_Russian_SFSR.svg Summary The flag of Russian during their period in the USSR. Licensing File links The following pages link to this file: List of flags Flag of Russian SFSR Russian SFSR Flag of Russia Flags of the Soviet Republics Wikipedia:WikiProject Flag Template Wikipedia...	Flag of Russian Federation 1991- Image File history File links Flag_of_Russia. ...

Variant versions

Flag of the Russian SFSR, 1954-91; flag ratio: 1:2

A variant of the flag was authorized for private use by Tsar Nicholas II during World War I, adding the Romanov eagle on a yellow field in a canton in the top left-hand corner. This variant was never made official. Image File history File links Flag_of_Russian_SFSR.svg Summary The flag of Russian during their period in the USSR. Licensing File links The following pages link to this file: List of flags Flag of Russian SFSR Russian SFSR Flag of Russia Flags of the Soviet Republics Wikipedia:WikiProject Flag Template Wikipedia... Image File history File links Flag_of_Russian_SFSR.svg Summary The flag of Russian during their period in the USSR. Licensing File links The following pages link to this file: List of flags Flag of Russian SFSR Russian SFSR Flag of Russia Flags of the Soviet Republics Wikipedia:WikiProject Flag Template Wikipedia... Nicholas II of Russia (18 May [O.S. 6 May] 1868 – 17 July [O.S. 4 July] 1918) (Russian: , Nikolay II) was the last Emperor of Russia, King of Poland,[1] and Grand Duke of Finland. ... This article is becoming very long. ... The House of Romanov (Рома́нов, pronounced ) was the second and last imperial dynasty of Russia, which ruled the country for five generations from 1613 to 1761. ... The canton of a flag is the top inner quarter of a flag. ...

When the Bolsheviks took power in 1917, the tricolor design was discarded, and a definitive new flag of the Russian Republic (one of the constituent republics of the Soviet Union) was introduced in 1954 (see flag of Russian SFSR), and this remained the republic's flag until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. All of the Soviet Republics' flags were created by introducing a small, but noticeable change, to the flag of the Soviet Union. In this case, the change was an introduction of the left-hand blue band. The previous Soviet design was different (a plain red flag with different variants of the "RSFSR" abbreviation in the honor canton). Bolshevik Party Meeting. ... Year 1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar (see: 1917 Julian calendar). ... Flag ratio: 1:2 This flag was adopted by the Russian SFSR in 1954. ... Soviet Flag: 1:4 ratio July 1923-November 13, 1923 The first official flag of the Soviet Union was adopted in December of 1922 at the First Congress of Soviets of the USSR. It was agreed that the red banner was transformed from the symbol of the Party to the...

The original flag of 1883 (rather than the black-yellow-white colour combination) was re-adopted by Russia on August 22, 1991. The readotion date is celebrated yearly as the national flag day. August 22 is the 234th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (235th in leap years), with 131 days remaining. ... 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The flag of the President of Russian Federation.

The president of Russia uses a Presidential Standard (Russian: штандарт президента), which is officially defined as the tricolor with the Coat of Arms (depicting the two-headed eagle with the shield, as described above) in the middle. Image File history File links Standard_of_the_President_of_the_Russian_Federation. ... Image File history File links Standard_of_the_President_of_the_Russian_Federation. ... The President of the Russian Federation, known commonly as the President of Russia (Russian: ) is the Head of State and highest office within the Government of Russia. ... The President of Russia (ru: Президент России is the highest position within the Government of Russia. ...

See also

• List of Russian flags
• Coat of arms of Russian Federation
• Flag of the Russian SFSR
• Coat of arms of Moscow

This is a list of flags used in Russia // National Flag President Military Historic ... Coat of Arms of Russian Federation. ... Flag ratio: 1:2 This flag was adopted by the Russian SFSR in 1954. ... Modern emblem of Moscow The Coat of Arms of Moscow depicts a horseman with a spear in his hand slaying a dragon. ...

References

External Links

• Official image of the Russian flag, from the Russian governmental source.
• (Russian) Text of the constitutional law about the flag.