Even small countries, formally subordinate to larger ones, have their own customs, traditions, history and pride. The latter is based on national symbols, which are kept by the inhabitants of small republics and autonomies with a zeal that citizens of more vast but at the same time divided states can only envy. The former Tatar SSR, now Tatarstan, is among such not too large, but proud and with a strong memory of the republics.
State History of Tatar Lands: Ancient Times
This republic is rooted deeply in ancient times. The places in which the present Tataria is located were mastered by mankind in the time of stone tools. It is unlikely that the then disparate settlements can be considered at least some kind of power. In the state, the territories occupied by the Republic of Tatarstan these days, developed only at the time of the formation of the Volga-Kama Bulgaria, that is, in the 9th century. This power for its time was distinguished by high cultural development and fairly advanced technologies of agriculture and artisanal production. Just this Bulgaria in many ways determined the future path of formation of a huge number of Volga peoples.
Freedom-loving mood of the population
It may well be that it was the invasion of the Batyevskaya horde and the next two hundred or three hundred years of its dominion that laid the foundation for the desire for freedom and rebellion in the Tatar people. It all started with the campaigns of Ivan the Terrible, nicknamed Kazan, and continued with the total participation of the Tatars in the Razin Peasant War. A decrease in the passions is noted only from the moment the Kazan province was approved and its intensive development. Although it is fair to say that the war launched by Pugachev also did not leave the Tatars indifferent, and in all subsequent popular protests the local population took an active part. The flag of Tatarstan in those days was not even planned.
Such trends continued in subsequent decades. Residents of the future of Tatarstan did not stand aside either from the revolution or during the Civil War. In the events of the Great Patriotic War, they also energetically participated in the hostilities. And only with the onset of peaceful times the initiative of the Tatars went into a creative direction: the gas and oil industries began to actively develop, a grandiose reserve between the Volga and Kama was founded, the KAMAZ auto monster began to function.
Times of independence
However, Tatarstan only became independent in the turbulent nineties, after the collapse of a gigantic entity named USSR. And if officially this event dates back to 1990, the modern name - the Republic of Tatarstan - found territories only in 92. Then they became a sovereign state, moreover, of a democratic orientation. It had the right to conclude (or refuse to do so) alliances or treaties with any other countries. Since 2000, the newly formed state has become associated and united as part of Russia.
In the interval between these milestones, the flag of Tatarstan was created.
The appearance of the banner
His appearance is modest, strict and unobtrusive. Like most other banners (both state and military, corporate, patrimonial, etc.), this is a rectangular panel. In the modern world, most of these state symbols are divided into horizontal stripes. The flag of Tatarstan is among them. There are three stripes on this banner: two of them are equal and painted in red and green. Medium - very narrow (according to the rules of the Tatar heraldry, it should be no wider than 1/15 of the “height” of the flag). Her color is white.
The developer, whose brainchild was the flag of the Republic of Tatarstan, is Khaziahmetov Tavil. This is not his first work; among other titles, he boasts the title of national artist of his country. In addition, Khaziahmetov is also a laureate of the Tatar honor honored in Tatarstan.
Significance of the coloring of the national symbol
Like any other country, this republic associated in Russia took the colors of its banner, to put it mildly, not “from the ceiling”. For its inhabitants, all stripes are filled with the deepest national, historical and psychological meaning.
The value of the flag of Tatarstan is divided into three parts, in full accordance with its color. The green, upper stripe is a symbol of rebirth. The color of bright spring greenery was also always considered the color of hope, and this nuance is also characteristic of the interpretation of the meaning of the Tatar flag.
The second wide streak is red. And here it is interpreted not as a symbol of struggle, once shed blood or impending revenge (such interpretations of scarlet are also very common); no, the flag of the Republic of Tatarstan embodies in this color the ancient symbols of power and life, power and energy, as well as wisdom that comes with the understanding of life experience. From some point of view, this is an image of maturity, adulthood and understanding.
It remains the narrowest, white part. With it, the flag of the Republic of Tatarstan expresses purity of intentions, peaceful mood and desire to live in harmony with all its neighbors.
Religious features of the country
Do not forget that this area is heterogeneous both in ethnic composition and in widespread beliefs. Nevertheless, the majority of the population are Tatars, who have long been Muslims. And even if many forgot about the establishment of their ancestors during the Soviet era, a considerable number of such people returned to the faith of their fathers in recent years.
However, the Russians living in this country and professing Orthodoxy are not much less. And even if all these nuances are internal affairs of the Republic of Tatarstan, the flag reflects them as well. So, from this point of view, its green part personifies Islam (this is its original color) and the Tatars of Muslim religion; red represents the Russian population of the country and, accordingly, Orthodoxy. The symbol of Tatarstan interprets the dividing white strip as a symbol of mutual understanding, peace, harmony and friendship.
What does the coat of arms contain
His image is very curious. On the one hand, it is extremely concise, on the other hand, it is full of deep meaning. The flag and coat of arms of Tatarstan are very harmonious in terms of color: the same white, green and red. And in the second state symbol, the meanings of the colors largely correspond to the symbolism in the first. The circle, which is the background for the rest of the images, is the image of the Sun. On it - a leopard with wings and a shield (round, and not pointed in the characteristic Western European heraldic traditions). Along the rim of the circle is a traditional Tatar ornament, open in the place where the name of the republic is inscribed.
What does it mean
The most significant image on the coat of arms is the leopard. Its symbolism is complex and versatile. First of all, this is the personification of fertility, it was in this form in ancient times that the people represented the corresponding deity. Moreover, this animal is also considered the patron saint of the Tatar people and their land.
The paw of a huge cat raised above the ground is noteworthy. To begin with, this gesture indicates the greatness of the highest power and its recognition by the people. But in addition, the symbolism of Tatarstan interprets this paw as a movement of the country forward, its progress. In this case, the beast has pronounced claws and teeth - as a symbol of readiness and ability to protect. The wings of a leopard hint at protection not only on the earth, but also in the sky, and the position of the tail marks favor and friendship.
No less important is the image of the Sun, against which the leopard is walking. It is a symbol of life, moreover, successful, happiness and good luck. Such a symbol is also enhanced by the color - as bright as the flag of Tatarstan contains. It is not without reason that our luminary is the progenitor and “life-giver” of everything that exists on earth.
The astra depicted on the shield (although some interpreters call the flower a tulip), combined with the Tatar ornament on the rim of the coat of arms symbolizes the revival of nature, awakened from hibernation, and at the same time the revival of the people and the country. Moreover, the presence of these details on the coat of arms is a kind of wish, and even an appeal for longevity and prosperity.
Complementary color
However, there are color differences in the state symbols of the Republic of Tatarstan. The flag does not contain gold on the flag, and it is present in the coat of arms. Framing in such a color for a start is an expression of the idea of perfection, unity and infinity, and in the sequel personifies the wealth, beauty and grace of the republic. The same gold ornament is made, which emphasizes the value of traditions for the Tatar people, as well as the inscription, "name" of the republic, in a sign that its citizens remember their origins and appreciate the acquisition of statehood.
If you look impartially, the coat of arms and the flag of Tatarstan are in harmony with each other. Photos of both are close by, and the eye just enjoys the combination of the main state symbols of the republic. Maybe they are not very pretentious and ancient, but they are filled with such a deep meaning that not all of its layers can be understood the first time.