The flag of Armenia

[Osweo]

I was just wondering, is the present state flag the only one you use? Have their ever been ideas about changing it? Forgive my honesty, but it's not the MOST aesthetically pleasing flag I've seen, though I appreciate it will have more meaning for those who live, fight and die under it!

http://flagspot.net/flags/am.html

Flag used between 1918 and 1921 and readopted 24 August 1990

Law No. 149 "On the National Flag of Armenia" was adopted on 15 June 2006

[...]

Article 2. The Flag of the Republic of Armenia.
... The red colour symbolizes the Armenian highland, and the constant fight of the Armenian people for longevity, the Christian religion, and the independence and freedom of Armenia. The blue colour symbolizes the will of the Armenian people to live peacefully under a blue sky. The orange colour symbolizes the creative talent and diligence of the Armenian people.

Some alternative interpretations of the colors of the Armenian flag are:
1) A rainbow over Mount Ararat.
2) Red is the blood shed and the whole is derived from the colours of the banners of the former Kingdom of Cilicia.
3) A simple description of the colours says: vermilion red, ultramarine blue and apricot orange.
4) A friend told me that he has heard: red: blood shed; blue: eternal land of Armenia; orange: courage.
5) Finally a source not to be neglected, the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Ottawa (although I find this one very awkward): red: the sun's energy; blue: the clear sky; orange: the wheat at harvest.

Note that 1), 2), 3), and 4) are not in contradiction:
1) gives the impression given by the flag as a whole.
2) explains the origins.
3) describes the colours precisely.
And 4) gives a meaning to each colour.
However, 5) is clearly in contradiction with 4), but also with 2).

Are there any other reasons or symbolism behind it that you know of?

[Nairi]

In Armenian language we call the third colour "tziranaguin"- tziran is apricot, guin is colour, "colour of apricot"...Apricot is one of fruit symbols of Armenia.

The apricot, Prunus armeniaca, is a species of Prunus, classified with the plum in the subgenus Prunus.

The apricot was known in Armenia during ancient times, and has been cultivated there for so long that it is often thought to have originated there.[4][5] Its scientific name Prunus armeniaca (Armenian plum) derives from that assumption. For example, De Poerderlé, writing in the 18th century, asserted "Cet arbre tire son nom de l'Arménie, province d'Asie, d'où il est originaire et d'où il fut porté en Europe ..." ("this tree takes its name from Armenia, province of Asia, where it is native, and whence it was brought to Europe ...").[6] An archaeological excavation at Garni in Armenia found apricot seeds in an Eneolithic-era site.[7]


Its introduction to Greece is attributed to Alexander the Great,[8] and the Roman General Lucullus (106–57 B.C.) also exported some trees – the cherry, white heart cherry, and apricot – from Armenia to Europe.

[Nairi]

They have deep meaning to us but I agree they don't look nice together :p
Not some colours I will wear :D

At least they can take suggestion of this Armenian artist and make it much better looking with the same colours, but I guess our Arordis/Pagans might object since it has a Cross...:wink

http://www.girls.am/wp-content/uploads/26164_1163920558667_1847485499_290764_4703726_n-600x521.jpg

[Armin]

Hey Os, good question. :) Here are some historical Armenian flags (a variations of which are used by some organizations and parties). The flag that is currently being used (red, blue and apricot which sometimes is wrongly referred to as orange) was used by the First Republic (1918-1921). It is based on a variation of a flag used by an Armenian nobleman from Siwnik' (Syunik), Ori, who presented this flag of liberated Armenia in early 1700s. Some have speculated that it is based partially on the earlier late Cilician Armenian flag of late 14th century (see below).



The flag of the Artaxiad Dynasty (189 BCE - 12 CE)

http://www.armenianhighland.com/images/nkarner/nkar_6636.jpg

The flag of the Arsacid Dynasty (34 CE - 428 CE)

http://www.armenianhighland.com/images/nkarner/nkar_6358.jpg

The flag of the Marzpanid Armenia (443 CE - 885 CE) [ruled by various Armenian princely houses].

http://www.armenianhighland.com/images/nkarner/nkar_6356.jpg


The Flag of the House of Mamikon [Mamikonians] (from the 5th to the 8th century)

http://www.armenianhighland.com/images/nkarner/nkar_6353.jpg

The battle flag of the House of Mamikon [Mamikonean, Mamikonian] (from the 5th to the 8th century)

http://www.armenianhighland.com/images/nkarner/nkar_6361.jpg

The flag of the Bagratid Dynasty [Capital Ani] (9th to the 11th century).

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4e/Bagratuni_flag.svg

The flag of one of the branches of the Bagratid Dynasty.


http://www.armenianhighland.com/images/nkarner/nkar_6366.jpg



The flag of the Arcrunid (or Artsrunid) Dynasty of the Kingdom of Vaspurakan [central Armenia] (from the 10th to the 11th century).

http://www.armenianhighland.com/images/nkarner/nkar_6371.jpg

Early flag of the Bagratid Dynasty.

http://www.armenianhighland.com/images/nkarner/nkar_6360.jpg


Early flag of Cilician Armenia under the Rubenids (Principality from the 11th and Kingdom from the 12th to the 14th century).

http://www.armenianhighland.com/images/nkarner/nkar_6370.jpg

Coat of arms of Cilician Armenia under the Rubenids (12th century).

http://www.armenianhighland.com/images/nkarner/nkar_6301.jpg

Royal Standard of Prince Ruben I, founder of the Rubenid Dynasty in Cilician Armenia.

http://www.armenianhighland.com/images/nkarner/nkar_6664.jpg

King Leo the Magnificent (1187-1219) of the Rubenid Dynasty with his escutcheon.

http://www.armenianhighland.com/images/nkarner/nkar_6643.jpg

Royal Standard of Leo the Magnificent.

http://www.armenianhighland.com/images/nkarner/nkar_6668.jpg

[Armin]

Flag of the Hetumid [House of Hayton] Dynasty of Cilician Armenia (from 12 to the 14th century).

http://www.armenianhighland.com/images/nkarner/nkar_6657.jpg

Coat of arms of the Hetumid Dynasty [House of Hayton] (from 12 to the 14th century).

http://www.armenianhighland.com/images/nkarner/nkar_6673.jpg


Merchant marine flag of Cilician Armenia (from the 12th to the 14th century).

http://www.armenianhighland.com/images/nkarner/nkar_6661.jpg

Escutcheons of Sebastia, Lesser Armenia or Armenia Minor (from the 11th to the 13th century).

http://www.armenianhighland.com/images/nkarner/nkar_6672.jpg

Coat of Arms of the Lusignan Dynasty of Cilician Armenia (from 1344-1375).


http://www.armenianhighland.com/images/nkarner/nkar_6680.jpg

The seal of Leo VI Lusignan from 1383 bearing his coat of arms.

http://www.armenianhighland.com/images/nkarner/nkar_5274.jpg

Municipal flag of the City of Lamos in Cilician Armenia (from 12th to the 14th century).

http://www.armenianhighland.com/images/nkarner/nkar_6660.jpg

The flag and the coat of arms of the Castle of Korykos. (from 12th to the 14th century).

http://www.armenianhighland.com/images/nkarner/nkar_6663.jpg

The flag of the Port of Ayas [Lajazzo] (from 12th to the 14th century).


http://www.armenianhighland.com/images/nkarner/nkar_6651.jpg


The flag of Cilician Armenia [whose colors according to some have served as the model for the revived Armenian flag of early 20th century] (from 12th to the 14th century).


http://www.armenianhighland.com/images/nkarner/nkar_6369.jpg

The flag of the Lusignan Dynasty in the 14th century.

http://www.armenianhighland.com/images/nkarner/nkar_6662.jpg

The flag of the city of Tarsus (city where Armenian kings were crowned).

http://www.armenianhighland.com/images/nkarner/nkar_6659.jpg

The flag of the port of Alexandretta (from 12th to the 14th century).

http://www.armenianhighland.com/images/nkarner/nkar_6653.jpg

The flag of the Armenian merchant navy in the East Indies (from the 16th to the 18th century).

http://www.armenianhighland.com/images/nkarner/nkar_6803.jpg

The flag that Armenian nobleman Ori proposed for the liberated Armenian Kingdom [which many believe was based somewhat on earlier Cilician flag and was modified as the flag of the First Republic in 1918).

http://www.armenianhighland.com/images/nkarner/nkar_6800.jpg

[Armin]

The proposed Coat of Arms (19th century) of liberated Armenia incorporating the old dynastic flags and coat of arms.

http://www.armenianhighland.com/images/nkarner/nkar_6796.jpg

Flag of the First Republic of Armenia (from 1918 to 1921) depicted on a 1920 army war bond.


http://www.armenianhighland.com/images/nkarner/nkar_6258.jpg

Coat of arms of the First Republic (from 1918 to 1921) incorporating the Four Dynastic Coat of Arms of Armenia.

http://www.armenianhighland.com/images/nkarner/nkar_6692.jpg

The flag of the Second Republic or the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic (from 1952 to 1991), which according to some was based on the flag of the First Republic with last apricot or orange color replaced with red and the blue in the middle being thinner.



http://www.armenianhighland.com/images/nkarner/nkar_6243.jpg

The coat of arms of the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic (from 1922 to 1991).

http://www.armenianhighland.com/images/nkarner/nkar_6687.jpg

The flag of the Third Republic (from 1991 to present).

http://armradio.am/pic/hh%20drosh.jpg


The coat of arms of the Third Republic (from 1991 to present).

http://www.armenianhighland.com/images/nkarner/nkar_6684.jpg

[Nairi]

I found this article by Armenian American about third (tsirani) colour of the flag.

In Russia Armenian apricot is considered the best and many sellers put the name "Armenian" to their apricots while they are not imported from Armenia...
..........

The apricot has been the symbol of nationality and victory for Armenians for many centuries. In the Middle Ages, Armenian kings and knights would go to battle wearing apricot-colored ornaments called “tsirani.” One of the three colors of the tri-color Armenian flag is also the color of the apricot. Every year in July in Armenia, during the harvest of apricots an apricot festival is held. People from different villages and towns bring to the capital of the country apricots from their own gardens in straw baskets, dried apricots, alcoholic beverages made of apricots, and many many other foods and drinks made from the richest apricots. People cheer on their cleverness and treat others to their homemade food. This is a national trait – treating others and being happy when others like the food. For one whole day the Armenian land, its waters, and their fruit – the apricot, are being praised and celebrated.

Have you ever seen a real Armenian apricot? There is a big difference between the Armenian apricot and an apricot which has grown here, in USA, or has been imported from any country over the world. The color of the Armenian apricot is neither yellow nor orange. It is the unique color with the special name – “tsirani,” which means “apricot’s color”. If anybody wants to picture this color, he would mix yellow, orange, pink and light burgundy together. There is also green apricot. But it is unripe apricot - like an apricot’s baby. Many children in Armenia like to eat this, but once was enough to discourage me from trying it again. Moreover, I have always been surprised how it is possible that this tough green fruit with its rough skin and sour and bitter taste can blossom into a ripe, juicy, and fleshy fruit that is so rich and sweet. This transformation reminds me of the tale of the ugly duckling turning into a gorgeous swan. The ripe apricot has a tender and smooth skin like a newborn baby’s cheek and smells of the sun. The meat of the apricot is spongy but not sticky. Slowly melting, it covers the lips, the tongue, the palate, and even the teeth and tenderly slips down the throat filling everything with the soft sweetness of young honey with an amazing apricot aroma. Even after you have swallowed it, you still suckle on its specific and one of a kind taste. This is like the fall of a meteorite, when the sky still retains its dim trace even after the fall. The apricot consists of two halves, and separating them doesn’t require much force. You hold it with both hands and slowly press on the line separating the halves with your thumbs, quickly splitting it in half as you your hands away from each other. The apricot opens. In the middle lies the kernel. Unlike the kernels of other fruits, the apricot kernel is edible. It is loved not only by children but by adults as well. To eat the kernel, it is necessary to crack the wooden exterior with a nutcracker, take out the core which is covered by a thin yellowish skin. And then you hold in your hands the very heart of the apricot – two thin platelets the color of milk connected to each other which crunch under your teeth and have a great taste.

[Mosov]

I like our flag, it's simple and also very symbolic. Given we are the first Christian nation, maybe it would be good to have a cross in the flag, but it's not really necessary either.

[HamshenaHay]

At first I was also not such a big fan of the colors of the Armenian flag, but to be honest I later on started to understand their significance. I guess if I would design the Armenian flag after the fall of the Soviet Union I would probably use the Bagratuni flag, as it is the last Armenian royal family. Besides it's one of the most beautiful flags I have ever seen and holds a white cross above the Lion.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4e/Bagratuni_flag.svg/700px-Bagratuni_flag.svg.png

Now that's what I call a flag :D Wouldn't it be something, if we'd re-installed this flag?

But what I meant with understanding the significance of our current flag is, I believe there is a striking resemblance with the color scheme of Arataian art. During the ancient Armenian kingdom of Ararat (Urartu) art was very much connected to religion, depicting rituals, Deities, afterlife and sacred symbols like the tree of life. It is therefore more accurate to speak of sacred art of ancient pre-Christian Armenia. Murals from this period are found throughout Armenia. Here a few examples notice the color resemblance with the Armenian flag.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0d/Urartian_Fresco05.jpg/271px-Urartian_Fresco05.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4316360580_fe38df9821.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/61/Urartian_Fresco02.jpg

http://anadolu.iwarp.com/ANASAY_files/Urartu%20Mimarisi/erebuniTapinak.jpg

http://images-mediawiki-sites.thefullwiki.org/06/1/6/2/02655302081681941.jpg

There are many more examples.

After seeing the connection to our ancient art I think I appreciate the aesthetics of the Armenian flag much more. Sure it's pretty strait forward 3 colors (much like in most modern countries) but the colors do hold ancient significance with the land and our people. They resemble pre-Christian color schemes of sun worshiping religions and sacred art. These colors are very ethnic and ancient feeling. I rather like them now to be honest. Besides the Armenian government does not specify the exact shades of red, blue, and orange and as such it is open to use any shade of red, blue and orange. I've seen some examples of very beautiful shades I'll post them as soon as I remember where. But for example I like these shades more than the bright shades used by most. Simply because they resemble the Aratian art more accurately.

http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/_Nq0IiUIJcI/0.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2c/ArmenianEmbassyWashingtonDC01.jpg

[Armin]

I agree with you HamshenaHay and you make good points. Just want to point out that our last dynasty was the Lusignan of Cilician Armenia which expired in 1375. The flag that is attributed to them is this one (below). Many believe that the flag adopted by the First Republic (although you are absolutely right about the colors which do go back to the Araratian Kingdom) was based on the Cilician flag.



http://www.armenianhighland.com/images/nkarner/nkar_6369.jpg

Also, I think you will find it interesting that initially the proposed flag had red, apricot, blue (plus another multicolor version) and it was later that the red, blue, apricot flag was adopted as the final version of the flag.

Here is the sketch of the flag (I believe from 1919) by no other than Martiros Sarian. :)


http://oi41.tinypic.com/154k9ll.jpg

[Osweo]

Now that's what I call a flag :D Wouldn't it be something, if we'd re-installed this flag?
That's the kind of response I was anticipating when I opened the thread! :p I dislike boring tricolours, to be honest. But thanks for your demonstration of the suitability of the colour scheme with regard to the ancient artwork. I see what you mean very well with that. :)

BUT! :eek:

http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/_Nq0IiUIJcI/0.jpg

What the HELL is that blasphemy!?!!?

Is that the altar in a church? And some idiot put the flag of bureaucratic anti-democratic nation-destroying filth on TOP of it AND the national flag!!!??

There are candles nearby. Somebody needs to do the OBVIOUS... :....

[HamshenaHay]

That's the kind of response I was anticipating when I opened the thread! :p I dislike boring tricolours, to be honest. But thanks for your demonstration of the suitability of the colour scheme with regard to the ancient artwork. I see what you mean very well with that. :)

BUT! :eek:


What the HELL is that blasphemy!?!!?

Is that the altar in a church? And some idiot put the flag of bureaucratic anti-democratic nation-destroying filth on TOP of it AND the national flag!!!??

There are candles nearby. Somebody needs to do the OBVIOUS... :....

oops I didn't even notice, but maybe it's a commemoration of some dead soldier or something. :rolleyes:

[HamshenaHay]

btw. Here's another example, a maquette of the Erebuni fortress (782 B.C)

http://www.free-photos.biz/images/architecture/architectural_models/maquette_of_the_erebuni_fortress.jpg

[Nairi]

That's the kind of response I was anticipating when I opened the thread! :p I dislike boring tricolours, to be honest. But thanks for your demonstration of the suitability of the colour scheme with regard to the ancient artwork. I see what you mean very well with that. :)

BUT! :eek:


What the HELL is that blasphemy!?!!?

Is that the altar in a church? And some idiot put the flag of bureaucratic anti-democratic nation-destroying filth on TOP of it AND the national flag!!!??

There are candles nearby. Somebody needs to do the OBVIOUS... :....


This doesn't look church to me, is it,Hamshenahay?

[HamshenaHay]

I agree with you HamshenaHay and you make good points. Just want to point out that our last dynasty was the Lusignan of Cilician Armenia which expired in 1375. The flag that is attributed to them is this one (below). Many believe that the flag adopted by the First Republic (although you are absolutely right about the colors which do go back to the Araratian Kingdom) was based on the Cilician flag.



I was actually talking about the main Armenian Kingdom, the Kingdom of Greater Armenia. And if I'm not mistake Cillician Kingdom was in fact a principality. And was rather a renaissance of Armenian royalty and a branch of Bagratids. Besides the Bagratuni flag is awesome. I wouldn't mind returning to that flag. :D

That said I'm not down-talking the Cilician Kingdom, it was definitely a Great one. And probably the last bastion of Christianity in the region. The amount of art, literature, science produced there was overwhelming. Much of what we know of Armenian culture today has been preserved in Cilicia from the invading Arabs and Mongols. So thank God for that. But I still like the Bagratuni flag more and I like their family legend of them being descended from a pre-Christian solar deity Angl-Thork . :)

[HamshenaHay]

This doesn't look church to me, is it,Hamshenahay?


I'm not sure. But it's definitely not an Armenian Church and not in Armenia. It looks like a European colonial building, I also don't see any crosses inside. That picture is a screenshot from the video below. I believe it's a commemoration of the Armenian Genocide in Czech republic. An Armenian priest is present but he doesn't talk so I think it's more like a lecture. And the flags are not on an altar, it's a rather a table.

_Nq0IiUIJcI

[Armin]

I was actually talking about the main Armenian Kingdom, the Kingdom of Greater Armenia. And if I'm not mistake Cillician Kingdom was in fact a principality. And was rather a renaissance of Armenian royalty and a branch of Bagratids. Besides the Bagratuni flag is awesome. I wouldn't mind returning to that flag. :D

Cilician Armenia began as a principality in 1080 and was proclaimed a kingdom under the Rubenids on (Armenian Christmas Day) January 6, 1198. Armenian culture would not be same without the Cilician Kingdom and Cilicia has been populated by Armenians since time immemorial. Famous Roman historian Ammianus Marcellinus already in early Fourth Century noted the Gulf of Alexandretta as "the Armenian Gulf." In fact Mountainous Cilicia (Cilicia Trachea) is within the boundaries of Armenian Highland (Armenian Plateau). ;)

Ruben was indeed from the Bagratid royal house, but the succeeding Hetumid (House of Hayton - from the 13th century) and Lusignan dynasties (from the 14th century) were also houses in their own right, and of course through matrimonial ties related to the House of Ruben.


That said I'm not down-talking the Cilician Kingdom, it was definitely a Great one. And probably the last bastion of Christianity in the region. The amount of art, literature, science produced there was overwhelming. Much of what we know of Armenian culture today has been preserved in Cilicia from the invading Arabs and Mongols. So thank God for that. But I still like the Bagratuni flag more and I like their family legend of them being descended from a pre-Christian solar deity Angl-Thork . :)

Very true and completely agree. :)

[HamshenaHay]

This is the flag of the Armenian Artaxiad Dynasty (190 BC-1 AD). At that point Armenia was at it's largest in history, incorporated even Syria and Israel. I think their flag was also pretty awesome.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/77/Artaxiad.svg

Here we can see it in the crown of Tigranes the Great. His history is also very interesting. He was a good friend of Mithridates the Great with whom they together resisted the might of Rome. The famous gladiator Spartacus was also their friend. These guys where legends.

http://peopleofar.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/tigranes-the-great2.jpg

[Comte Arnau]

Forgive my honesty, but it's not the MOST aesthetically pleasing flag I've seen

I guess it's just a subjective appreciation, because I like that combination very much. Specially in its deep apricot tone, neither dark orange nor yellowish.

[Albion]

In Armenian language we call the third colour "tziranaguin"- tziran is apricot, guin is colour, "colour of apricot"...Apricot is one of fruit symbols of Armenia.

The apricot, Prunus armeniaca, is a species of Prunus, classified with the plum in the subgenus Prunus.

The apricot was known in Armenia during ancient times, and has been cultivated there for so long that it is often thought to have originated there.[4][5] Its scientific name Prunus armeniaca (Armenian plum) derives from that assumption. For example, De Poerderlé, writing in the 18th century, asserted "Cet arbre tire son nom de l'Arménie, province d'Asie, d'où il est originaire et d'où il fut porté en Europe ..." ("this tree takes its name from Armenia, province of Asia, where it is native, and whence it was brought to Europe ...").[6] An archaeological excavation at Garni in Armenia found apricot seeds in an Eneolithic-era site.[7]


Its introduction to Greece is attributed to Alexander the Great,[8] and the Roman General Lucullus (106–57 B.C.) also exported some trees – the cherry, white heart cherry, and apricot – from Armenia to Europe.

Armenia could claim quite a few fruit trees really. :p Sweet Cherries (native as far as England) seem to have been domesticated in the Armenian Highlands as do Sour Cherries (native as far as Germany).
Plums were from this general area too and originated from the Caucasus and cultivated Pears are from the European and Caucasian sub-species of wild pears.

I don't quite know why this region seems to be so important for fruit, but maybe it has something to do with the climate, the rich biodiversity of the area and that the peoples in it had long settled as farmers.

It's quite interesting to note that not much was domesticated in most of Europe when it comes to fruit. At most there's a few berry bushes such as blackcurrants and gooseberries which were domesticated by Scandinavians and British.

[Mosov]

Armenia could claim quite a few fruit trees really. :p Sweet Cherries (native as far as England) seem to have been domesticated in the Armenian Highlands as do Sour Cherries (native as far as Germany).
Plums were from this general area too and originated from the Caucasus and cultivated Pears are from the European and Caucasian sub-species of wild pears.

I don't quite know why this region seems to be so important for fruit, but maybe it has something to do with the climate, the rich biodiversity of the area and that the peoples in it had long settled as farmers.

It's quite interesting to note that not much was domesticated in most of Europe when it comes to fruit. At most there's a few berry bushes such as blackcurrants and gooseberries which were domesticated by Scandinavians and British.

Our national fruit is apricot ;) after all Latin name for apricots is Prunus armeniaca ;)

[aardvark]

Hello everyone,

very interesting information and illustrations, i didn't realise that the Armenian flag contained the apricot or tsirani colour and that

it had a special meaning.

Looking at the 1920 Armenian army war bond with the soldier illustrated (posted by Armin 2nd february 2012), and with the

significance of the apricot colour i wonder if the Armenian army had apricot coloured shoulder boards on their uniforms.

The Georgians had crimson shoulder boards and the Azeris dark blue. All 3 armies wore the pre 1917 Russian uniform.

John.