The German Weimar colours ‘Schwarz -Rot - Gold’

 Exactly 21 years back on October 3, 1990, German Democratic Republic (DDR) or more popularly known as East Germany merged with Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany)  making it a uniform one country and one flag – the Weimar colours ‘Schwarz - Rot - Gold’.

 As you all certainly know, the colours of the German flag are black, red and gold. They derived from the uniform of “Hunters of Lutzow” who wore black coats with red seams and golden buttons, dated from the German raising against Napoleon-I, in the War of Liberation in 1813-14. This colour combination became associated with German Republican ideals. 

Students marching at Warburg Castle, 1817.

The unit ‘Hunters of Lutzow’ was officially founded in February 1813 as Königlich Preußisches von Lützow (Royal Prussian Free Corps von Lützow). It was  consisted mostly of students and academics from all over Germany who had volunteered to fight against Napoleon I of France.

Procession  to Hambach Castle, 1832

In 1848, the first German Federal Parliament congregated and elected the Weimar colours as German National Colours.

GERMAN EMPIRE (1872 -1918)

Because of  dominant role of Prussia (which had a black & white flag ) and the “Hanse-cities”, Hamburg, Bremen and Lubeck (which had a red & white flag) in the following decades, the German flag was changed to ‘Black - White - Red ’, known as 'Bismark colours' in 1892, and were in use till 1919.

However, after the end of World War-I, the original ‘Black, Red & Gold ’ flag was re-introduced for Weimer Republic (1918 - 1933).

 
After the end of World War I, the original black, red and gold coloured flag was re-introduced.

Third Reich (1933 - 1945) during Hitler regime the 'Hakenkreuz' bearing a Swastika was adopted as National flag.

With the collapse of Third Reich after World War-II,

all Swastika flags disappeared by order of the occupying powers

Upon foundation of German Federal Republic in 1949, the Weimar colours “Schwarz-Rot-Gold” were re-adopted as National flags

Flag of ‘DDR’ East Germany

 1959 - 1989

In order to make a distinction with the West German flag,

DDR’s state emblem was superimposed on Weimar colours. The flag came into disuse in 1990 in favour of unified German colours.

FLAGS in National Anthems and Patriotic Songs, Part V

Most national anthems are not distinguished either for literary merit or musical quality. The overall aim is to place a patriotic poetic concept in a suitably dignified or stirring musical setting, so says Ronald L. Eisenberg (The American Philatelist, August 1995).
In order to proceed in alphabetical order, today I shall present "Flags mentioned in the anthems/ patriotic songs" of countries beginning with G and H.

GABON

"La Concorde" is the national anthem of Gabon. Written and composed by  Georges  Damas Aleka . Adopted in 1960.The last two lines and the chorus  of ‘La pera de la Concorde’ read;

Around this flag which leads us to honour,

Let us salute the Fatherland and ever sing!

The stamp above has the scores of La Concorde and the effigy of  Georges D. Aleka,  issued to commemorate the 25^th anniversary of Gabon’s independence in 1985.

GEORGIA

The State Anthem of the erstwhile Georgian SSR used from 1946 to 1991.The anthem inscribed the Soviet period banner: 

“The Soviet banner, shining as the sun,

Is fluttering over you;

Blossom, our beautiful country,

Exult, the Georgian land”.

 The music was composed by Otar Taktakishvili, and the words were written by Grigol Abashidze and Alexander Abasheli. All three stanzas  in the original lyrics had references to Joseph Stalin, a native Georgian and leader of the Soviet Union . These words were completely removed after Stalin's death.

GERMANY (3rd Reich)

The Horst-Wessel-Lied (Horst Wessel Song), also known as Die Fahne hoch (The Flag Up High), was the marching song of the Nazi Party from 1930 till it was declared "out-lawed" by the Allies Forces in 1945. From 1933 to 1945 it was the national anthem of the 3^rd Reich, usually sung along with the first stanza of Deutschlandlied. This combined version was known as the "Lieder der Nation" (Song of the Nation).

The flag high! The ranks tightly closed!

 SA* march with calm, firm steps.

Comrades shot by the Red front and reactionaries

March in spirit in our ranks.

Clear the streets for the brown battalions,

Clear the streets for the storm troopers!

Already millions look with hope to the Swastika

The day of freedom and bread is dawning!

Roll call has sounded for the last time

We are all already prepared for the fight!

Soon Hitler's flag will fly over all streets.

Our servitude will soon end!

The flag high! The ranks tightly closed!

SA marches with a calm, firm pace.

Comrades shot by the Red Front and reactionaries

March in spirit in our ranks.

 According to regulation of  Hitler’s regime required the right arm to be raised in a "Nazi Salute" when the first and fourth verses were sung. Note;  SA  stands for Sturm Abteilung (also known as Storm troopers or Brown shirts)

   GUATEMALA

     The Himno Nacional de Guatemala was written by José Joaquín Palma and composed by Rafael Álvarez Ovalle. Adopted in 1896 as the winning entry in a competition held by the government. The lyrics were modified in 1934 by Prof. Jose Maria Bonilla Ruano.

            Libre al viento tu hermosa bandera

           Fairest flag, in the wind freely floating,

            You invoke us to conquer or die,

           For your sons most courageously noting your proud symbol,

            Will bondage defy.

            Another translation

Free into the wind, your beautiful flag

To victory or death it will call

Since your people, with fiery soul

Will be dead before enslaved.

 GUINEA-BISSAU

"Esta é a Nossa Pátria Bem Amada" (This Is Our Beloved Country) is the natinoal anthem of Guinea-Bissau. Written and composed by Amilcar Cabral, adopted in 1974.

The banner of our struggle

Has fluttered in the sky.

 It was also the national anthem of Cape Verde until 1996, when a new anthem (Cântico da Liberdade) was chosen by Cape Verde.

HAITI

Haiti is one of the few countries whose anthem glorifies a national hero and has flag reference, 

 “La Dessalinienne”  honoring Jean-Jacques Dessalines, founder of Haiti as an independent republic in 1803. It was written by Justin Lhérisson and composed by Nicolas Geffrard and adopted in 1904. 

In the fifth verse states;

              “ For flag on high, for native land,

              ‘tis fine to die.

               Our traditions demand be ready, heart and hand;

               ‘tis fine to die,

                 ‘tis fine to die for flag on high, for native land.”

HONDURAS

The “Himno Nacional de Honduras” was adopted 1915^. The lyrics were written by Augusto Constancio Coello and the music composed by Carlos Hartling.

 The anthem commences “Tu bandera, tu bandera es un lampo de ceilo” (has been variously translated as “Your flag, your flag is a lamp in the sky”, or “Oh! Your flag waves, like a symbol in heaven”, or “Your banner, your banner is splendor from heaven”, or “Lo, the banner of this country has the splendor of heavens” and “As your standard, as your standard serves a strip of cloudless azure”) and continues;  “Which in twain is cut, which in twain is cut by a band that shows besprinkle; in whose sacred abuses there twinkle five pale stars with softest rays blue”. The stars represent the five Central American Republics (including Honduras)  that formed a Union in the early 1800s.

(To be continued)

Trees , Crops and Fruits on Flags

Trees, Fruits, Crops, etc. on Flags are the direct reflections of country’s natural resources. The importance of the product on local economy, religious superstitions, et al.

 The Cedar of Libanus (Cedrus Libani) shown on the Lebanese flag is the famous Cedar mentioned in the Bible and symbolizes holiness and eternity. Cedar- a coniferous tree frequently mentioned in the Bible. 
Psalms 104:16 The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted;
Judges 9:15 And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.
Psalms 92:12 The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

 Maple Leaf -  Canada's distinctive emblem dating from the 18th.Century. The present flag was adopted on February 15,1965

The Canadian State of Prince Edward Island's flag has one big green Oak tree symbolising England and the three Oak saplings for three provinces of the State.The State flag of Saskatchewan shows a western Red Lily, the State flower.

The city of Flagstaff was named after a tall Ponderosa Pine flagpole made by the lumberjacks from Boston (known as the Flagstaff Tea Party) to celebrate the United States centennial on July 4, 1876.

 Green Pine Trees on Flags used during American Freedom Struggle.

 The central emblem within a garland of 50 leaves shows the tools of logging industry. The crest is a Mahogany tree. The motto ‘Sub Umbra Floreo’ is a reference to the abundant forests of Belize (formerly British Honduras).

  The Silk Cotton Tree or God Tree is the tree under which the first Treaty was made between the Spaniards and the King of Equatorial Guinea (formerly Rio Muni).

 Sorghum Plant on the former flag of Burundi (prior 1967) Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), is a cereal crop close to maize and sugar cane. The crop originated in the Northeast part of Africa and has been an important crop of Burundi. Sorghum is used for beverage and porridge.

 The images depicted on the shield  of Fiji represent agricultural activities on the islands, At the top of the shield, a British lion holds a cocoa pod between its paws. The upper left is sugar cane, upper right is a coconut palm, the lower left a dove of peace, and the lower right a bunch of bananas.

 Bread Fruit Leaf on the former Flag of Grenadines of St. Vincent (1979-1985). St. Vincent was happened to be the first Caribbean Islands to grow this crop. 

 The world wide nature of the United Nations and its mission of peace are expressed by two Olive branches embracing the globe. The flag was flown for the first time in 1947 

 The Cypriot flag The crossed Olive branches symbolises a desire for ethnic peace between the Turks & the Greeks

 The ‘Olive stem’ surrounded By a wreath of Olive leaves on Eritrean flag inspired by the United Nations’ flag 

 The two crossed Fern or Namele leaves, representing the traditional way of life of the Vanuatu (formerly New Hebrides)

 The South Pacific Commission set up in 1947. the distinctive feature of the flag is the presence of a Coconut Palm Tree

 

Flag of ‘DDR’ East Germany (1959 - 1989) in order to make a distinction with the west German flag , DDR’s state emblem  within a wreath of ears of corn was superimposed on Weimar colours. However, the flag became obsolete when East Germany got merged with West Germany in 1989.

  The symbol in the hoist of the national flag of Grenada, once popularly known as "Isle of Spice" depicts a clove of Nutmeg, which is considered as Grenada’s principal crop.

 The  stamps titled "celebration", is designed to show the successful practice of "one country, two systems" in HongKong. Pictures of China's national flag and the  HongKong's flag which features a stylised five-petal  Bauhinia  flower. 

 The flag of Macao has a green background with motifs of five stars, a lotus flower, the stylized Nobre Carvalho Bridge and sea water. The lotus is the floral emblem of Macau. The three petals of the lotus flower stand for the three islands of Macau; the Macau Peninsula, Taipa and Coloane. 

The Islands of St. Christopher (or St.Kitts), Nevis and Anguilla were earlier combined to form one State in 1967. The then new Statehood flag had a Black Palm Tree in the center with three branches to represent each member State.

The desert Palm Tree on Liberian State Flags.

----------------------

P.B. The above is not an exhaustive list of Flags with Flora as motifs on Stamps. 

*********************

Birds on Flags

Most of my previous posts were devoted to the history and evolution of the Indian National flag under the caption "Quest For a National Flag for India". Since, the series has been completed for the time being, I shall now concentrate on other topics and symbolisms concerning to the National flags of the World.

Most  'National Flags' have symbols and they all have special significance with respect to their country. Symbols on Flags are explicit outward expressions of how the country looks at itself. Let us now glance over such 'Symbols on Flags' as depicted on postage stamps.  

BIRDS ON FLAGS

Many countries have placed "Birds" on their National Insignia and flags. Because of the Birds connection to the sky, they have been thought of as a supernatural link between the heavens and the earth. The birds represent a passage between the physical world and spiritual worlds. Birds in flight represent freedom.

The “Double-headed Eagle” devise is inherited from the Byzantine empire. The head on the left (West) symbolizes Rome, the head on the right (East) symbolizes Constantinople. It became widely associated with the Holy Roman Empire. Several Eastern European nations adopted it from the Byzantines and continue to use it as their national symbol to this day, the most prominent being Albania, Austria, Germany, Russia, erstwhile Epirus India’s Mysore State also had a double-headed Eagle the “Gandaberunda” as the royal symbol.

 

 The legendary Gandaberunda possessing two heads facing away from the other was the emblem of the Mysore rulers of the Wadeyar Dynasty.
Indian Navy adopted the Gandaberunda as the crest of the ship 'INS Mysore'.

'Qureish falcon’ of the Egyptian flag was replaced by the ‘Eagle of Saladin’ bearing on its breast a shield with the national colours in 1984. (Eagle - the emblem of Saladin - a 12th. century Sultan and opponent of the Crusaders)

The flag of Mexico is an Eagle holding a snake in its beak and standing on a prickly pear. The serpent and the Eagle refer to the legendary foundation of Tenochtitlan (Mexico) by the Aztecs combining the two cosmic forces: that of the sun in the eagle and those of the earth in the serpent.


The Condor – a local bird of the Equatorian Andes- opens its wings and with its majesty and energy symbolizes the Fatherland in its effort of self improvement and progress.

The Steppe Eagle or Berkut (Aquila Nipalensis) is a bird of prey. The Steppe Eagle is the national bird of Kazakhstan and can be seen on its National Flag.

The Goshawk (Acor in Portuguese) refers to the Islands of Azores

  

The Sisserou Parrot (Amazona imperalis) “The Pride of Dominica”, is the National Bird of Dominica. The parrot figures prominently on the Coat of Arms, the National Flag, The Public Seal, The Mace of the House of Assembly and Dominica’s Honours for Meritorious Service to the Country. The Sisserou Parrot is protected and is found only in Dominica.In 1988 the parrot, which was originally facing right was turned to face the left of the flag.

Burma(Myanmar) had once the "Peacock" as their national emblem. According to believes the Peacock heralds spring, birth, new growth, longevity, and love. (Stamps at the top were issued by Burma Independence Army during Japanese Occupation in1943).

The soapstone bird featured on the flag represents a statuette of a bird found at the ruins of Great Zimbabwe. The bird symbolizes the history of Zimbabwe and now is a national symbol. The flag was adopted on April 18, 1980. Zimbabwe gained independence from Britain as Southern Rhodesia in 1965 and then gained independence from Rhodesia as Zimbabwe in 1980.

 The Resplendent Quetzal (Paramocrus Mocinno), the brilliant bird found in the cloud forests of Central America, was sacred to the Mayans and figures prominently in their artwork and legends. Today the Quetzal (also spelled Quetzel and Quesal) is the national bird of Guatemala, and name to the Guatemalan currency.

 The Flag of Kiribati has on the upper half a gold frigate bird (Fregata minor, in Kiribati te eitei) flying over a gold rising sun (otintaai). The frigate bird (also called 'Man-of-War' birds or Pirate birds) symbolizes command of the sea, power, freedom and Kiribati cultural dance patterns. Kiribati's flag is an armorial banner, a flag having a design corresponding exactly to that of the shield in the coat of arms. The coat of arms dates back to May 1937 when it was granted to the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, as Kiribati and Tuvalu were then known. The shield was incorporated into the center of the fly of a British Blue Ensign as the state ensign of the colony.

The birds-of-paradise are members of the family Paradisaeidae of the order Passeriformes. The majority of species in this family are found on the island of New Guinea and its satellites. The members of this family are perhaps best known for the plumage of the males of most species, in particular highly elongated and elaborate feathers extending from the beak, wings or head. The family is of cultural importance to the inhabitants of Papua New Guinea.

African Balearic Crested Crane (Balearica regulorum) is a bird in the crane family Gruidae. This bird does not migrate. There are two subspecies. The East African Crested Crane is the national bird of Uganda.

*********