The History and Evolution of the Romanian Flag
Flag of Romania: A Brief Overview
The flag of Romania is a tricolour consisting of three equal horizontal stripes of blue, yellow, and red. It is one of the oldest flags in the world, dating back to the 14th century. The current design was adopted in 1989, after the overthrow of the communist government.
Historical Context of the Romanian Flag
The Principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia
The Romanian flag originated in the Principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia, which were established in the 14th century. The flags of these principalities were both tricolours, with blue, yellow, and red stripes. Over time, the designs of the flags evolved, but the basic colour scheme remained the same.
The Union of the Principalities
In 1859, the Principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia united to form the United Principalities of Romania. The new country adopted a tricolour flag that combined the colours of the two former principalities: blue from Wallachia, yellow from Moldavia, and red from both.
The Romanian Kingdom
In 1881, Romania became a kingdom. The royal flag added the Romanian coat of arms to the centre of the tricolour. The coat of arms featured a golden eagle holding a sword and a sceptre, representing the country's sovereignty and power.
The Communist Era
After World War II, Romania became a communist state. The communist government removed the coat of arms from the flag and replaced it with the hammer and sickle, the symbol of communism. The blue stripe at the top of the flag was also replaced with a red stripe, representing the blood shed by the Romanian people in the fight for socialism.
The Post-Communist Era
After the overthrow of the communist government in 1989, the Romanian flag was restored to its original design. The blue stripe was returned to the top of the flag, and the hammer and sickle was removed. The current flag has been in use ever since.
Meaning of the Colours
The colours of the Romanian flag are said to have the following meanings:
- Blue: Represents the sky and freedom.
- Yellow: Represents the sun and prosperity.
- Red: Represents blood shed in the fight for independence.
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