Estonia: flag and other state symbols of the country

As in other countries, considerable attention is paid to state symbols in Estonia. It is impregnated with history and culture, various laws and rules are associated with it. Together with the anthem, the flag and the coat of arms of Estonia are used in festive days for the country and other solemn occasions. What is the meaning of state symbols? How did it come about?

What does the Estonian flag look like?

As in most other countries, in Estonia the panel has a rectangular shape with a classic length-to-width ratio of three to two. It is represented by three horizontal stripes of the same size. The top one is blue, the center one is black, and the bottom one is white. The exact shade of the blue color of the flag of Estonia is stipulated by law.

What do the bands mean?

Each part of the flag has a separate meaning. They symbolize the nature and folk costumes that characterize Estonia. The flag also tells about the history of the state. So, the blue color is meant to symbolize faith and devotion, in addition, it depicts lakes and the sea. Black indicates the suffering of the people in the past and the traditional outfit of local peasants. White indicates the desire for virtue, personifies hope and freedom. It also recalls birch bark, snow, Estonian light nights. In addition, all together the stripes resemble the winter Estonian landscape - snow, dark trees and a bright sky above them.

History of the origin of the flag

In 1905, Estonia, whose flag served as a symbol of independence, tried to achieve sovereignty. In November 1918, the country succeeded, and the cloth was approved. But independence from Russia was not too long. In June 1940, the country became part of the USSR, and the flag was banned from use. The situation continued until the collapse of the Soviet state. Independence was restored in August 1991, and Estonia returned to its own state symbols. The modern kind of flag was developed in December 1990, but the colors remained unchanged from the very beginning of the century. Their combination arose in 1881. The way the flag of Estonia looks to this day has been influenced by students. They decided to create a brotherhood and chose the colors of their union namely blue, black and white.

Student society "Vironia"

The history of the flag has its unofficial beginning since September 1881. Then the national student society "Vironia" was created, the first of all that Estonia knew. The flag of such association, according to the statute, was to be a tricolor and not to repeat the gamut of existing paintings. The Estonian symbol was very original and recognizable. Three years later, six graduates and sixteen students from the University of Tartu met at Burchard Sperlingk, who was a pastor in Otepää. A priest named Rudolph Callas consecrated a tricolor. At the same time, students performed songs and made speeches about symbolism and the importance of the flag. The interpretation of Martin Lipp became one of the most famous. But the existence of the corporation "Vironia" was not recognized by the acting authorities, so the blue-black-and-white banner remained unofficial. Only after the tsarist manifesto of October 17, 1905, flags of this color appeared on the streets. The Tartu society organized a mass procession, and under the tricolor of the "Vironia" Estonian students passed through the streets. The flag was no less widespread than the red canvases in the spirit of the revolution.

National emblem

It is worth mentioning the other symbols that Estonia represents. The flag, coat of arms and anthem have equal importance for the country. Each of them is filled with history. The coat of arms is made in the form of a heraldic shield with a pointed bottom and rounded upper corners. On its yellow background there are three blue lions. This image was formerly the central symbol of the city of Tallinn. To use it the city was granted the right to the Danish kings. Lions on the emblem depict strength, valor and nobility. The crowning shield is made of oak branches and refers to the heraldic symbols of England and Denmark, with which Estonia is historically closely connected. The flag of the country differs from the cloths of these countries, but the coat of arms, on the contrary, has much in common. In addition, there is a close relationship with Latvia. In the east, Estonia also borders Russia, but the Estonian state has always sought in its cultural development towards Europe, so it is difficult to find common features in the symbols of these countries.

Anthem of Estonia

Interesting facts also relate to the main melody that Estonia represents itself. The flag and coat of arms were created later than the hymn. Its basis was the chant called "My Fatherland, my happiness and joy!". The corresponding arrangement was made by the German composer Frederic Pacius, who lived at that time in Finland. In Estonia, poetry by Johan Woldemar Jannsen, who was a significant poet of the national awakening of those times, was put on his music. The first song was performed in 1869 at a singing festival. The growing popularity of the national movement has also increased the relevance of the melody. In Finland, the song fell in love with the students, but it was performed everywhere. After the First World War, both countries gained independence and chose the melody as a national anthem. In Finland, other verses were used. The official anthem of Estonia was the song after 1920, when the Liberation War was over. In Soviet times, the tune was banned along with the use of the flag and the emblem of the country. Return to national symbolism the state could only after the collapse of the USSR.