Symbolism plays a huge role in life, especially now. After all, it is by the logo of a well-known brand that people judge the quality of a product or service. But this is not an innovation of advertisers. For many centuries, noble families and state organizations had their own emblems, shields and flags. Today we will tell the history, origin and just interesting facts related to the coat of arms of the Airborne Forces.
Emblem history
The coat of arms of the Airborne Forces, or rather, the emblem was created relatively recently, in 2005. It was from this moment that all official documentation, as well as paratrooper paraphernalia, began to be decorated with a golden grenada with wings. This symbol was chosen for a reason. Paratroopers are considered elite troops precisely because a great responsibility is placed on their shoulders, their work is associated with great risk. Many military men who have connected their lives with this profession do not live up to retirement, but ascend to heaven much earlier. In order to perpetuate the memory of all those who died in battle, as well as to succinctly express the whole essence of the work of the paratroopers, grenada was attached towings.
In addition to the main emblem, which is considered small, the Airborne Forces have two more variations of the coat of arms. The middle one is very reminiscent of the Russian coat of arms. It depicts a double-headed eagle. In one paw he holds a golden grenade, and in the other a sword. An uninitiated person may say: "What is the connection between the landing troops and the sword?" In fact, as with many other symbols, there is an allegory here. The sword is a symbol of strength and courage. In the center of the coat of arms is a red shield, on which Gregory the Victorious pierces a snake with a spear. This point does not need any special explanation. The Airborne Forces are part of the Russian troops, and as a sign of this, part of the coat of arms was simply copied.
Large emblem is a small and medium version enriched with oak branches. The winged grenada is placed on a blue shield, which symbolizes the sky. At the top of this emblem is placed the second coat of arms of the Airborne Forces - a double-headed eagle with George the Victorious in the center. In this version, oak branches are an allegory of the Greek laurel, but only in Russian interpretation. Oak is the same national Russian tree as birch. And since it is considered one of the strongest in its category, it is not surprising that the elite troops chose these leaves as their symbol.
History of the flag
The flag has the same symbolic meaning as the coat of arms of the Airborne Forces. It depicts a golden skydiver with an open parachute. Two planes are visible on its sides. This logoappeared before the official emblem, in 2004. The flag is divided into two unequal parts. 2/3 of the top of the flag is occupied by a large blue stripe. She symbolizes the sky. It is in this part that a parachutist with airplanes is located. The second part of the flag is green. It symbolizes the pure land. The entire flag is made in rather bright colors, which means a peaceful sky and earth, which the soldiers of the Airborne Forces are called upon to protect.
Where used
The coat of arms of the Russian Airborne Forces can be seen everywhere on August 2. Even in the smallest cities of our country or in the urban settlements, former and current paratroopers celebrate their holiday. The flag of the Airborne Forces is hung out in all specialized military units, not only on the occasion of their own holiday, but also during official Russian events, it is officially raised on the flagpole. During mourning events, for example, in memory of the fallen paratroopers, the flag is flown at half mast.
Now it is also fashionable to decorate private houses with various symbols. Therefore, successful retired paratroopers often use the flag or coat of arms of the Airborne Forces as a decoration of their home in memory of their past service. They put it on a flagpole on the roof or hang it at the front door. Symbols can also decorate the central gate.
How symbols are used
The flag of the Russian Airborne Forces, the symbols of this military institution and various paraphernalia are now freely available. Anyone can purchase it at the military store. Therefore, not a single August 2 passes without automobile processions, fromthe windows of which look out, fluttering in the wind, the flags of the Airborne Forces. Blue berets on this day often adorn the heads of all paratroopers and even those people who are only indirectly related to the air force.
The coat of arms of the Airborne Forces in the vector is in the public domain. Therefore, it is not surprising that with the advent of the holiday, and more and more often people related to the landing troops stick stickers with symbols on their cars. It can be a flag, coat of arms or just a picture with an inscription. For example, a parachute and the slogan "No one but us", which we will talk about a little later. It is difficult to say whether such a manifestation of one's devotion is necessary, but in any case, to some extent, it develops patriotism towards Russia as a whole.
Slogan of the Airborne Forces
Description of the flag of the Russian Airborne Forces will be incomplete if you do not talk about the motto of the flight guard. The landing troops are one of the elite units of the army, so men with excellent he alth and good physical data are taken there. The service is difficult, and in the event of a military alarm, the demand from this unit will be the greatest. It's always been that way, ever since the airborne troops first went out on mission. It was in the first operation, which took place in 1941, in the heat of hostilities, the motto was born: "No one but us." It very capaciously reflects not only the self-confidence of the paratroopers, but also the real situation. There were, are, and, unfortunately, will be hostilities in which it is impossible to do without airborne troops. They are very helpful in operations where infantry, artillery and naval divisions simply cannot get through.
The history of the creation of elite troops
The coat of arms and the flag of the Airborne Forces appeared onlyin the 2000s, and the airborne troops themselves went on their first mission 60 years earlier. The first operation in which paratroopers participated was carried out in 1941. It was when Moscow was captured by the Nazis that the help of heaven was very much needed. And it was from heaven that this help was received. The paratroopers were landed behind enemy lines and in bloody battles helped to destroy more than 15 thousand German soldiers, thereby providing extraordinary assistance to occupied Moscow. To date, the soldiers of the Airborne Forces have managed to take part in the Afghan and Georgian wars, have provided indispensable assistance in Chechen companies.
Interesting facts
- Today, the Russian Airborne Forces remain the most numerous in Europe.
- During the Second World War, paratroopers had to jump while aboard airborne combat vehicles.
- The paratroopers' vests differ from the sailors' uniforms by the color of the stripes. The soldiers of the Airborne Forces are blue.
- Blue berets only became part of the uniform in 1969. Before that, they had a bright crimson color.
- One of the legends about why paratroopers bathe in fountains says: a real airborne soldier simply loves the sky. When he sees the reflection of his native element in the fountain, he wants to plunge into the clouds, even if they are reflected.
- In 2017, the Airborne Forces celebrated their holiday - the elite troops are already 87 years old.
