- See also: List of flags of Estonia
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| Use | Civil and state flag and civil ensign. The following is a list of flags of Estonia. National flag and State flag Governmental flags Military flag The design and description of Flags typically uses specialised flag terminology' with precise and technical meanings and is hence a form of Jargon. A civil flag is a version of the National flag that is flown by civilians on non-government installations or craft There are two separate meanings for the term state flag in Vexillology – the flag of state of a Government, and the flag of an individual subnational state A flag is a piece of Cloth, often flown from a pole or mast, generally used Symbolically for signaling or identification The civil Ensign (also known as merchant flag or merchant ensign) is the National flag flown by civil ships (merchant ships and others to denote An ensign is a distinguishing Flag of a ship or a military unit or a distinguishing token emblem or badge such as a symbol of office  |
| Proportion | 7:11 |
| Adopted | November 21, 1918 |
| Design | Tri-color, with three equal horizontal bands; the upper band is blue, the middle black and the lower white. Events 164 BC - Judas Maccabaeus, son of Mattathias of the Hasmonean family restores the Temple in Jerusalem. Year 1918 ( MCMXVIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common |
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| Use | Naval ensign. The design and description of Flags typically uses specialised flag terminology' with precise and technical meanings and is hence a form of Jargon. An ensign is a distinguishing Flag of a ship or a military unit or a distinguishing token emblem or badge such as a symbol of office An ensign is a distinguishing Flag of a ship or a military unit or a distinguishing token emblem or badge such as a symbol of office  |
| Proportion | 7:13 |
| Adopted | 1991 |
| Design | Tri-color, swallow-tailed, defaced with the shield of the state arms off-set towards hoist. |
Naval jack. The national flag of Estonia is a tricolour featuring three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white. Estonia, officially the Republic of Estonia ( Eesti or Eesti Vabariik) is a Country in Northern Europe in the Baltic region A tricolour or tricolor (three colours is a Flag or Banner more-or-less equally divided (horizontally vertically or less frequently diagonally Blue is a Colour, the Perception of which is evoked by Black is the Color of objects that do not emit or Reflect Light in any part of the Visible spectrum; they absorb all such frequencies of White is a Color, the perception which is evoked by Light that stimulates all three types of color sensitive Cone cells in the Human eye The normal size is 105 × 165 cm. The metre or meter is a unit of Length. It is the basic unit of Length in the Metric system and in the International In Estonian it is colloquially called the "sinimustvalge" (literally "blue-black-white") , after the colours of the bands. Estonian (; ˈeːsti ˈkeːl is the official language of Estonia, spoken by about 1 The tricolor was first adopted by students in 1881 during uprisings against occupying Russian Tsarist forces. It was readopted as the national flag in 1990 just prior to independence. The colors represent Estonian history, folk costumes, and landscape. Blue is the color of loyalty and also represents the sky, sea, and lakes. Black symbolizes the past suffering of the people, the soil, and the traditional black peasant's jacket. White represents virtue and the struggle for freedom. It is also the color of birch bark and snow.
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History
The Estonian flag first came to prominence in the 1880s as the flag of the Estonian Students' Society at the University of Tartu and was consecrated in the hall of the pastorate of Otepää on 4 June 1884. Estonian Students' Society (Eesti Üliõpilaste Selts commonly used acronym EÜS is the oldest academic organisation for Students of Estonian origin in The University of Tartu (Tartu Ülikool Тартуский университет Universität Dorpat is a classical University in the city of Tartu, Estonia Otepää is a town in Valga County, Estonia with a population of about 2000 Events 781 BC - The first historic Solar eclipse is recorded in China. Year 1884 ( MDCCCLXXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year The original flag is preserved in the Estonian National Museum.
Independence
The flag became associated with Estonian nationalism and was used as the national flag (riigilipp) when the Estonian Declaration of Independence was issued on February 24, 1918. Estonians ( Estonian: eestlased, previously maarahvas) are a Finnic people closely related to the Finns and inhabiting primarily the country The term nationalism can refer to an Ideology, a sentiment, a form of Culture, or a Social movement that focuses on the Nation A national flag is a Flag that symbolises a country The flag is flown by the government but usually can be flown by Citizens of that country as well The Estonian Declaration of Independence, also known as the Manifesto to the Peoples of Estonia (Manifest Eestimaa rahwastele is the founding act of the Republic of Estonia Events 303 - Galerius, Roman Emperor, publishes his edict that begins the persecution of Christians in his portion of the Year 1918 ( MCMXVIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common The flag was formally adopted on November 21, 1918. Events 164 BC - Judas Maccabaeus, son of Mattathias of the Hasmonean family restores the Temple in Jerusalem. Year 1918 ( MCMXVIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common On December 12, 1918 was the first time the flag was raised as the national symbol atop of the Pikk Hermann Tower in Tallinn. Events 627 - Battle of Nineveh: A Byzantine army under Emperor Heraclius defeats Emperor Khosrau II 's Persian Year 1918 ( MCMXVIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Pikk Hermann ( Tall Hermann) is a tower of the Toompea Castle, on Toompea hill in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. [1]
Soviet occupation
The invasion by the Soviet Union in June 1940 led to the flag's ban. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 Year 1940 ( MCMXL) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full 1940 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. It was taken down from the most symbolic location, the tower of Pikk Hermann in Tallinn, on June 21, 1940 when Estonia was still formally independent. Pikk Hermann ( Tall Hermann) is a tower of the Toompea Castle, on Toompea hill in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. Tallinn (historically known by the German, Swedish and Danish name Reval or the Polish name Rewal, among other names Events 524 - Godomar, King of the Burgundians defeats the Franks at the Battle of Vézeronce. On the next day, 22 June, it was hoisted along with the red flag. Events 217 BC - Battle of Raphia: Ptolemy IV of Egypt defeats Antiochus III the Great of the Seleucid kingdom. Red flags can signify a warning Martial law, defiance or Left-wing politics The tricolour disappeared completely from the tower on July 27, 1940 and was replaced by the flag of Estonian SSR. Events 1214 - Battle of Bouvines: In France, Philip II of France defeats John of England.
German occupation
During the German occupation from 1941 until 1944, the flag was accepted as the ethnic flag of Estonians but not the national flag. Nazi Germany and the Third Reich are the common English names for Germany under the regime of Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist German Workers Year 1941 ( MCMXLI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (the link will display 1941 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1944 ( MCMXLIV) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. After the German retreat from Tallinn in September 1944, the Estonian flag was hoisted once again.
Second Soviet occupation
When the Red Army arrived on 22 September, the red flag was just added at first. The Red Army ( Russian: Рабоче-Крестьянская Красная Армия R aboche- K rest'yanskaya K rasnaya A rmiya Events 66 - Emperor Nero creates the Legion I Italica. 1236 - The Lithuanians Soon afterwards, however, the blue-black-white flag disappeared.
The flag remained illegal until the days of perestroika in the late 1980s when on 24 February 1989 the blue-black-white flag was again flown from the Pikk Hermann tower in Tallinn. (Перестройка) is the Russian term (now used in English for the economic reforms introduced in June 1987 by the Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev Events 303 - Galerius, Roman Emperor, publishes his edict that begins the persecution of Christians in his portion of the Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar) It was formally re-declared as the national flag on 7 August 1990, little over a year before Estonia regained full independence. Events 322 BC - Battle of Crannon between Athens and Macedon following the death of Alexander the Great. Year 1990 ( MCMXC) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar)
Symbology
There are a number of interpretations attributed to the colours of the flag. A historical interpretation of the colours has blue representing ancient freedom, black symbolizing lost independence and white, the promise of a brighter future. Another interpretation made popular by the poetry of Martin Lipp is as follows:
- blue: vaulted blue sky above the native land;
- black: attachment to the soil of the homeland as well as the fate of Estonians - for centuries black with worries;
- white: hard work and other more abstract human values;'
Colors of the flag
The shade of blue is defined in the Estonian flag law as follows: Blue tone is on the international PANTONE table of colours 285 C. Martin Lipp (1854 - 1923 was an Estonian poet He is best known as the author of the poem "The Estonian Flag" which was set to the music of the then young composer
CMYK equivalents: C=91, M=43, Y=0, K=0
Segments from the Estonian Flag Act
- 4 Display and use of the Estonian Flag
(1) Everyone has the right to display and use the Estonian flag as long as it is in accordance with the act and follows honoured traditions. CMYK (short for '''c'''yan, '''m'''agenta, '''y'''ellow, and k ey ( Black) and often referred to as process color (
(2) The Estonian flag is displayed on buildings and stationary flag staffs on Independence Day, Victory Day and the Restoration of Independence Day.
- 5 Daily display of the Estonian Flag
(1) The Estonian Flag is not lowered from the buildings of the Riigikogu, the Estonian Government, the Supreme Court, other courthouses, the State Audit, the Chancellor of Justice, Ministries, the Bank of Estonia, local and city governments, and border crossing points.
(2) The Estonian Flag is displayed at Estonian foreign representations according to the laws and norms of the host nation.
(3) The Estonian Flag is to be displayed on elementary and high schools, vocational schools, institutions of professional higher education and universities on school days.
(5) Flags that are continuously displayed must be illuminated during hours of darkness.
- 6 Flag Days
3 January - Day of Commemoration to the War of Independence fighters (Vabadussõjas võidelnute mälestuspäev)
2 February - Anniversary of the Tartu Peace Treaty (Tartu rahulepingu aastapäev)
24 February - Independence Day, Anniversary of the Republic of Estonia (Eesti iseseisvuspäev)
14 March - Native Language Day (Emakeele päev)
Every second Sunday in May - Mothers Day (Emadepäev)
9 May - Europe Day (Euroopa Päev)
4 June - National Flag Day (Lipupäev)
14 June - Day of Mourning and Commemoration (Leinapäev). Flags are flown as mourning flags
23 June - Victory Day (Võidupüha)
24 June - St John's Day or Midsummer's Day (Jaanipäev)
20 August - Restoration of Independence Day (Taasiseseisvumispäev)
1 September - Day of Knowledge (Teadmiste päev)
Every second Sunday in November - Fathers Day (Isadepäev)
(3) On Flag Days, government institutions, local and county governments and public legal entities,display the flag.
(4) The Estonian Government can make one-time decisions regarding the display of the Estonian Flag by government institutions, local and county governments and public legal entities, and on other days to mark events of importance for the Estonian state and its people.
- 7 Hoisting and lowering the flag
(1) The Estonian Flag is hoisted at sunrise, no later than 8. 00 and is lowered at sunset, no later than 22. 00.
(4) The Estonian Flag is not lowered on St. John's Day, (Midsummer's Day) June 24.
- 9 Requirements for displaying the flag
(2) The minimum size of a flag displayed on a building or on flag staffs on the roof of the building must be105X165 centimetres.
(3) When the flag is displayed vertically the blue band should be on the observers left.
- 10 Displaying the Estonian Flag with other flags
(1) If the Estonian Flag is raised with other flags, the Estonian flag must be at a position of superior prominence or honour.
(3) The flags of other nations are placed after the Estonian Flag alphabetically according to their French name. Only the flags of European Union countries are placed alphabetically according to their name in their ownlanguage.
(4) If the Estonian Flag is displayed with flags of other countries or international organisations and with Estonian county, city, parish or other Estonian flags, the Estonian county, city, parish or other Estonian flag must be placed to left of the international organisation's flag when looking at the line flags from behind.
(5) Depending on the location of the line of flags or on the number of flags, points 3-4 can be changed taking into consideration that the Estonia Flag must be at a position of superior prominence or honour.
Alternative proposals
In 2001, politician Kaarel Tarand suggested that the flag be changed from a tricolour to a Scandinavian-style cross design with the same colours[2]. Nordic Cross Flag Nordic Cross Scandinavian Cross is a pattern of flags usually associated with the Flags of the Scandinavian countries of which it originated Supporters of this design claim that a tricolour gives Estonia the image of a post-Soviet or Eastern European country, while a cross design would symbolise the country's links with Nordic countries. The Nordic countries make up a region in Northern Europe called the Nordic region, consisting of Denmark, Finland, Iceland,
Estonians consider themselves a Nordic people rather than Balts,[3][4] based on their linguistic, cultural and historical ties with Sweden, Denmark and particularly Finland. The Baltic states (Balti riigid Baltijas valstis Baltijos valstybės or Baltic countries are three countries in Northern Europe, all members of the In December 1999 Estonian foreign minister — and current president since 2006 — Toomas Hendrik Ilves delivered a speech entitled "Estonia as a Nordic Country" to the Swedish Institute for International Affairs. Toomas Hendrik Ilves (ˈtoːmɑs ˈhendrik ˈilves born 26 December 1953) is the current President of Estonia. The Swedish Institute for International Affairs (Utrikespolitiska Institutet (UI is a public-service organization located in central Stockholm, Sweden. [5]
Some have also suggested changing the country's official name in English and several other foreign languages from Estonia to Estland (which is the country's name in Danish, Dutch, German, Swedish, Norwegian and many other Germanic languages). [6] Several Nordic cross designs were proposed already in 1919, when the state flag was officially adopted; one of them is shown here. As the tricolour is considered an important national symbol, the proposal did not achieve widespread popularity.
References
- ^ http://www.estemb.org/estonia/history/aid-780 Estonia's Blue-Black-White Tricolour Flag at estemb. org]
- ^ http://www.epl.ee/artikkel_92271.html
- ^ Estonian foreign ministry report, 2004
- ^ Estonian foreign ministry report, 2002
- ^ NATO :: NATO :: Estonia as a Nordic Country
- ^ EERIK-NIILES KROSS: Estland, Estland über alles - Eesti Päevaleht Online
See also
External links
The Flags of the 15 (+1 Counties of Estonia are all white and green with the Coat of arms of the respective county on the white part For a list of flags see List of flags or Gallery of flags by design.Dapyx Software network: MP3 Explorer | Ebook Manager | Zenithic