Kalmykia is a republic in the southeast of the Russian Federation. The flag and coat of arms of Kalmykia belong to the official symbols of the republic. What is depicted there? What is the meaning of them?
Flag of the Republic of Kalmykia
The official symbol of the republic was approved in 1993. Its author is B. Erdniev. The flag of Kalmykia is a cloth in a proportion of one to two. This is a rectangle of gold color. In the middle is a circle painted in blue. Inside it is a white lotus flower, which consists of nine petals.
The yellow or gold color in which the flag of Kalmykia is painted is a symbol of the religion of the people of the republic - Buddhism. In heraldry, other definitions are given to this color. Usually it means greatness and power, personifying the sun. Blue color indicates constancy, purity and immutability, symbolizing the sky.
In the center of the composition is a lotus. This is one of the symbols of Buddhism. He reports on the purity of thoughts, the desire for prosperity, happiness and prosperity of the republic. Not only the flag of Kalmykia depicts a lotus. The flower is one of the oldest symbols of various Asian and North African peoples. It is present, for example, in the emblems of Bangladesh, the province of Bengal, where it is sacred.
Flag history
The modern flag of Kalmykia is very different from the previous ones. In 1935, the autonomous region of Kalmykia was transformed into an autonomous SSR. Two years later, the official flag was adopted. The cloth was completely painted red, and in the upper corner, closer to the flagpole, there was a gold inscription: "R.S.F.S.R., Kalmytskaya A.S.S.R", in Russian and Kalmyk.
In 1978, a blue vertical strip appeared on the flag from the side of the pole. Near her, on a red background, was an image of a sickle and a hammer. Above the sickle, the outline depicted a star. Below was the inscription: "Kalmyk ASSR", again in two languages.
The third version of the flag, the immediate predecessor of the modern, was created in 1992. Two years earlier, the sovereignty of the republic was proclaimed. The rectangular panel was divided into three horizontal stripes of blue, yellow and red. The upper and lower were half thinner than the middle band.
In the center of the composition was a red contour circle. Inside it was an image of a spiral sign resembling a flame of fire. In the Old Kalmyk script, it denotes the concepts of “man” and “beginning”.
Coat of arms of Kalmykia
The coat of arms of the republic was approved in 1993. The composition contains an image of folk symbols of Kalmykia. The emblem has a rounded shape. In its center on a yellow background is depicted the "Lancer of the Hall", which in reality is a red silk tassel, part of a men's national costume.
Under the "ulan hall" is a "hadak" - a long scarf of blue and white colors, which is one of the ritual symbols of Buddhists. Hadak means hospitality, selflessness and purity of thoughts. They bring it as a gift. Presented on a holiday, it means friendship and good wishes, presented in grief - symbolizes compassion and understanding.
The yellow circle is framed by a blue and white zeg folk ornament. At the top is an image of four circles fastened together. This is an ancient symbol of the Derben Oirats, or Kalmyk people. At the base of the coat of arms are the petals of a white lotus.