Very soon we will celebrate the 70th anniversary of that great day when one of the bloodiest wars for our country ended. Today, everyone is familiar with the symbols of Victory, but not everyone knows what they mean, how and by whom they were invented. In addition, modern trends bring their innovations, and it turns out that some symbols familiar from childhood appear in a different incarnation.
History of St. George Ribbon
There are symbols that tell us about this or that event. For several years now, the St. George Ribbon has been used as such a symbol of Victory. It is handed out on the streets of Russian cities before the holiday, it is tied to car antennas and handbags. But why did such a ribbon begin to tell us and our children about the war? What does the St. George Ribbon mean?
St. George Ribbon is made in two colors - orange and black. Her story begins withSoldier's Order of St. George the Victorious, which was established by Empress Catherine II on November 26, 1769. This ribbon was later included in the award system of the USSR under the name "Guards Ribbon". They gave it to soldiers as a sign of special distinction. The ribbon was wrapped around the Order of Glory.
What do the colors mean?
The St. George Ribbon is a symbol of Victory, the colors of which mean the following: black is smoke, and orange is flame. The Order itself was given to soldiers for certain military feats during the war, and it was considered an exceptional military award. The Order of St. George was presented in four classes:
- The order of the first degree consisted of a cross, a star and a ribbon in black and orange, such an order was worn over the right shoulder under the uniform.
- The order of the second degree assumed the presence of a star and a large cross. It was decorated with a thin ribbon and worn around the neck.
- The third degree is an order with a small cross around the neck.
- The fourth degree is a small cross worn in the buttonhole of a uniform.
What does the St. George Ribbon mean in terms of color other than smoke and flames? Black and orange colors today embody military prowess and glory. This award was presented not only to people, but also to the insignia that were issued to military units. For example, silver trumpets or banners.
St. George banners
In 1806, the Russian army introduced award St. George banners, which were crowned with the St. George Cross and tieda black and orange ribbon with banner tassels almost 4.5 cm long. In 1878, Emperor Alexander II issued a decree on the establishment of a new insignia: now the St. George ribbons were issued as awards for the military exploits of an entire regiment.
The traditions of the Russian army were passed down from generation to generation, and the Order of Glory did not change. During the Second World War, he was of three degrees, in the yellow-black colors of the ribbon, which were reminiscent of the St. George Cross. And the ribbon itself continued to serve as a symbol of military prowess.
Feed today
Modern symbols of Victory originate in ancient Russian traditions. Today, on the eve of the holiday, young people tie ribbons on clothes, distribute them to motorists and just passers-by to remind everyone about the feat of our people and express their solidarity. By the way, the idea of holding such an action, as it turned out, belongs to the staff of the Ria Novosti news agency. As the employees themselves say, the purpose of this action is to create a symbol of the holiday, which will become a tribute to veterans who survived and once again remind of those who fell on the battlefield. The scale of the action is actually impressive: every year the number of common ribbons increases.
What other symbols?
Probably, in every city there is a Victory Park, which is dedicated to this glorious feat of our grandfathers and great-grandfathers. Very often, various actions are timed to coincide with this event, for example, “Plant a tree”. The symbol of Victory can look and be interpreted in different ways, but the most important thing isshow your involvement in this important event. In addition, it is important to instill a sense of love and respect for the Motherland in our children, and just such important actions help in this. Thus, on the eve of the 70th anniversary of the Victory, the Lilac of Victory campaign was launched, within the framework of which entire alleys of these beautiful flowering plants will be planted in Russian hero cities.
History of the Victory Banner
Victory Banner, many of us have seen in pictures and movies. In fact, it is the assault flag of the 150th Order of Kutuzov II degree of the Idritsa Rifle Division, and it was he who was hoisted on the roof of the Reichstag in Berlin on May 1, 1945. This was done by the soldiers of the Red Army Alexei Berest, Mikhail Yegorov and Meliton Kantaria. Russian law established the 1945 Victory Banner as the official symbol of the victory of the Soviet people and the country's Armed Forces over the Nazis in 1941-1945.
Externally, the Banner is an improvised and field-made flag of the USSR, which was attached to a pole and was created from a single-layer red cloth measuring 82 by 188 cm. A silver sickle, a hammer and a five-pointed star are depicted on the front surface, and on the rest of the canvas is written with the name of the division.
How the Banner was hoisted
Victory symbols are various elements that are popular year after year. And the Banner of Victory among these elements and symbols plays the most important role. Recall that at the end of April 1945, fierce battles were fought in the Reichstag area. The building has been exposed several timesassaults, one after another, and only the third assault yielded results. On April 30, 1945, a message was broadcast on the radio, which broadcast around the world, that at 14:25 the Victory Banner was hoisted over the Reichstag. Moreover, at that time the building had not yet been captured, only a few groups were able to get inside. The third assault on the Reichstag was carried out for a long time, and it was crowned with success: the building was captured by Soviet troops, several banners were hoisted on it at once - from divisional to home-made.
Symbols of Victory, the Great Patriotic War, the heroism of Soviet soldiers, namely the banner and ribbons, are still used in various processions and actions dedicated to the celebration of May 9th. The Banner of Victory was carried across Red Square during the Victory Parade in 1945, and for this purpose the bannermen and their assistants were specially trained. By decree of July 10, 1945, the Main Political Directorate of the Soviet Army transferred the Banner of Victory to the Central Museum of the USSR Armed Forces in Moscow, where it was supposed to be kept forever.
History of the Banner after 1945
After 1945, the Banner was taken out again in 1965 for the 20th anniversary of the Victory. And until 1965 it was kept in the museum in its original form. A little later, it was replaced with a copy that exactly repeated the original version. It is noteworthy, but the Banner was ordered to be stored only horizontally: the satin from which it was created was too fragile material. That is why, until 2011, the Banner was covered with special paper and folded only horizontally.
May 8, 2011 inIn the hall "Victory Banner" in the Central Museum of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, a genuine flag was put on public display, and it was exhibited on special equipment: the banner was placed in a large glass cube, which was supported by metal structures in the form of rails. In this form - genuine - this and other symbols of victory in the Second World War could be seen by many visitors to the museum.
Remarkable fact: the Banner (the real one, which was hoisted on the Reichstag) lacked a strip 73 cm long and 3 cm wide. There were and continue to be many rumors about this. On the one hand, they say that a piece of canvas was taken as a keepsake by one of those soldiers who participated in the capture of the Reichstag. On the other hand, it is believed that the Banner was kept in the 150th Infantry Division, where women also served. And it was they who decided to keep a souvenir for themselves: they cut off a piece of fabric and divided it among themselves. By the way, according to the testimony of museum staff, in the 70s one of these women came to the museum and showed her piece of the Banner, which fit him in size.
Victory Banner today
To this day, the most important flag that tells us about the Victory over Nazi Germany is an obligatory attribute when holding festive events on Red Square on May 9th. True, a copy is used. Other copies as symbols of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War can be hung on other buildings as well. The main thing is that the copies correspond to the original design of the Banner of Victory.
Why carnations?
Probably everyone remembers from their childhood demonstrations,dedicated to the celebration of May 9th. And most often we lay carnations at the monuments. Why exactly them? Firstly, this flower is masculine and is a symbol of courage and bravery. Moreover, the flower received such a meaning back in the third century BC, when the carnation was called the flower of Zeus. Today, the carnation is a symbol of Victory, which in classical heraldry is a sign of passion, impulse. And since ancient Rome, carnations were considered flowers for the winners.
The following historical fact attracts attention. Cloves were brought to Europe during the Crusades and were used to treat wounds. And since the flower appeared along with the warriors, it began to be perceived as a symbol of victory, courage and a talisman from wounds. According to other versions, the flower was brought by German knights from Tunisia to Germany. Today, for us, the carnation is a symbol of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. And many of us lay bouquets of these flowers at the foot of memorials.
Already since the French Revolution of 1793, the carnation has become a symbol of the fighters who died for an idea and became the personification of revolutionary passion and devotion. The victims of terror, who went to their deaths, always attached a red carnation to their clothes as a symbol of confrontation. Modern flower arrangements based on carnations symbolize the blood shed by our grandfathers, great-grandfathers, fathers during the Great Patriotic War. These flowers not only look beautiful, but also keep a decorative look for a long time when cut.
Popular flowers-symbols of Victory are deep red tulips. They are also associated with scarletthe blood of Soviet soldiers shed for the Motherland, as well as our love for our country.
Modern Symbols of Victory
The holiday of May 9 is widely celebrated throughout the post-Soviet space annually. And every year the symbols of Victory change, are supplemented with new elements, in the development of which many specialists take part. For the 70th anniversary of the Victory, the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation has released a whole selection of symbols that are recommended for use in graphic and typographic design of various documents, presentations, handouts and souvenirs. According to the organizers, such symbols are an opportunity to remind everyone once again of the great feat of the people who were able to defeat absolute evil.
The Ministry of Culture recommends using selected symbols as a basis for designing almost all communication formats of holidays. The main logo, which was specially created this year, is a composition depicting a white dove on a blue background, a St. George ribbon and inscriptions made in the colors of the Russian tricolor.
Conclusions
Symbols of Victory are seemingly simple elements, but they carry a deep meaning. And the meaning of these symbols would not hurt to know every inhabitant of our country, who is proud of his Motherland and his ancestors, who gave us life and made it possible to live in relatively peaceful conditions. And the St. George ribbon, which is almost the main symbol of the Victory, will soon appear on all cars in the country and wardrobe items. Russian citizens. The main thing is that people understand what exactly this symbol means. We remember, we are proud of the feat of our soldiers!
