Assyrian flag
The Assyrian flag is the flag that universally represents the Assyrian nation currently in diaspora. The Assyrian Universal Alliance first designed the flag in 1968 and finally adopted it in 1971. It consists of a golden circle at the center that represents the sun, which, by its exploding and leaping flames, generates heat and light to sustain the earth and all its living things.
The four pointed star surrounding the sun symbolizes the land, its light blue color symbolizing tranquility.
The wavy stripes extending from the center to the four corners of the flag represent the three major rivers of the Assyrian homeland: the Tigris, the Euphrates, and the Great Zab.
The dark blue represents the Euphrates. The Assyrian name for the river, Frot or Prat, means "abundance". The red stripes, whose blood red hue stands for courage, glory and pride, represent the Tigris. The white lines in between the two great rivers symbolizes the Great Zab; its white color stands for tranquility and peace.
Some interpret the red, white and blue stripes as the highways that will take the scattered Assyrians back to their ancestral homeland.
Above the blue star in red (although sometimes in gold) is the image of the Assyrian god Assur, who is guarding the flag and the nation it represents.
On top of the flagstaff is the standard of King Sargon I, who established the first Assyrian empire. During ancient times, these insignia stood by the king's side to let everyone know of his whereabouts.
Previous Flags
Prior to World War I, the Assyrian flag consisted of 3 layers of salmon, white, and red. On the top left of the first layer, 3 white stars represented the three main Churches of the Assyrian people; Church of the East, Chaldean Catholic Church, and Syriac Orthodox Church. This flag was used during delegation meetings with Assyrian politicians and Western powers during and post World War I. The flag was used until a the current design was established. The flag was created by the Syriac Orthodox community of Tur Abdin.
Between 1915 and 1923, the Assyrian army used a flag that resembled the flag of Switzerland. It consisted of a red background, indicating the blood spilled by the Assyrians prior to and during World War I, and a white cross. The top left corner contained a round seal, which was Agha Petros's personal stamp. The seal had his name on it in two languages (Assyrian and Russian).
References
- Assyrian International News Agency (AINA)
- Assyrian flag at Flags of the World
- The Origins and Description of the Assyrian Flag
Categories
Assyrians | Flags