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Shlama/Shlomo,
Inspired by my Armenian brethren, I've decided to create this thread in dedication to all things regarding Assyrians the natives of Upper Mesopotamia. Feel free to ask anything about our people here as well.
A brief descripton of who we are:
Assyrian people (Syriac: ܐܫܘܪܝܐ), or Syriacs[37] (see terms for Syriac Christians), are an ethnic group indigenous to Western Asia.[38][39] Some of them self-identify as Arameans,[40] or as Chaldeans.[41] Speakers of modern Aramaic and as well as the primary languages in their countries of residence,[42] modern Assyrians are Syriac Christians who claim descent from Assyria, one of the oldest civilizations in the world, dating back to 2500 BC in ancient Mesopotamia.[43]
Assyrians are predominantly Christian, mostly adhering to the East and West Syrian liturgical rites of Christianity.[48] The churches that constitute the East Syrian rite include the Assyrian Church of the East, Ancient Church of the East, and Chaldean Catholic Church, whereas the churches of the West Syrian rite are the Syriac Orthodox Church and Syriac Catholic Church. Both rites use Classical Syriac as their liturgical language.
Most used flag + meaning
The golden circle at the centre that represents the sun, which, by its exploding and leaping flames, generates heat and light to sustain the earth and all its living things. The four pointed star surrounding the sun symbolizes the land, its light blue color symbolizing tranquility.
The wavy stripes extending from the center to the four corners of the flag represent the three major rivers of the Assyrian homeland: the Tigris, the Euphrates, and the Great Zab. The lines are small at the center and become wider as they spread out from the circle. The dark blue represents the Euphrates. The red stripes, whose blood red hue stands for courage, glory and pride, represent the Tigris. The white lines in between the two great rivers symbolizes the Great Zab; its white colour stands for tranquility and peace. Some interpret the red, white and blue will gather all the Assyrians back to their homeland to stand strong and fight for what they want and what they have gained.[1]
The star on the flag is the old star symbol associated with Shamash, also known as Utu, the sun deity also associated with the planet Saturn. He was worshipped in the ancient Mesopotamian region. He was apparently the deity who provided leaders like Hammurabi, Ur-Nammu, and Gudea with divine laws.
The archer figure symbolizes the pre-Christian god Assur.[2]
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assyrian_people
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assyrian_flag
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