The flag of Russia is one of the main and most recognizable state symbols. It was officially installed in 1994, but its history began much earlier, several centuries ago. Peter I is considered the founder of this flag, but the three-color flag was used as flags on ships even before that.
Russian flag
The flag of the Russian Federation is a rectangular canvas, which shows three horizontal stripes, the same size - white, blue and red. There is no official interpretation of these colors, although there are several options. It was believed, for example, that white symbolizes freedom, blue is a symbol of the Mother of God, and red means sovereignty. That is how the flag shades were explained several centuries ago. Today they say that white is purity, blue is stability, and red is power.
The history of the flag of Russia
Like many other national flags, the Russian flag has long been exclusively naval and was used only on ships. The first Russian warship was built in 1668, and from that time one of the hypotheses of the origin of the three-color flag originates. A Dutch merchant participated in the construction of the ship, who said that it was necessary to produce special flags of those colors that should symbolize the country. Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich was informed that for the “Eagle” (as they decided to call the ship) it was necessary to order fabric and asked what colors should be used. The king inquired about the Dutch flag and found out that it consists of red, white and blue stripes. As a result, they ordered fabrics of these colors, and on the flags the king ordered the depiction of eagles.
But it is not known exactly what these flags looked like: there are versions that these were blue or white panels with red crosses, three-color flags from horizontal stripes with different options for their location.
The official history of the Russian flag began in 1705, when Peter I ordered the white-blue-red cloth to be raised on any ships. He drew his own sample and indicated the exact sequence of colors. But it was not yet a state flag, but only a sea flag.
In 1858, the state flag was approved, but completely different: it used yellow, black and white colors. It turned out gloomy and similar to the Austrian, therefore, was not popular. The white-blue-red version was more familiar and pleasant and continued to be used. Alexander III, who made him state, drew attention to this. It existed until 1918, was replaced by a red flag with a sickle and a hammer, and was reborn in 1991 by decree of the president. At first, the middle band was blue, but since 1993 it has become deep blue.
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