Banner is a symbol of courage, honor and dignity

What does the banner mean for a soldier? With his solemn removal not only of servicemen, but also of most other people, the heart begins to beat more often. The banner is an ancient symbol of courage, honor and dignity, a symbol of faith and devotion to its homeland. Looking at the fluttering canvas, guarded by an honor guard, in every patriot, pride awaits for their country, their history, their great people.

What is the banner?

Many people think that the banner is the same as the flag, but this is misleading. The banner is made only in a single copy of expensive materials and is decorated on both sides by embroidery with the image of the emblem, inscription or other symbolism. The canvas is attached to a pole, crowned with a metal tip, unlike a flag, which usually rises with a cord to the flagstaff.

The meaning of the word "banner" comes from the Old Russian verb "to know" (to distinguish, to notice). In the old days, this was the way to designate the place where soldiers were collected on the battlefield or the rate of the prince. At the same time, the banner is the distinguishing sign of an organization, whether it be a state, an army unit or a labor collective.

The history of the appearance of the first banners

The prototypes of modern banners were also in the nomadic peoples of Asia - these are long poles with endless bundles of grass and horse tail. Later there was a tradition to use pieces of bright fabric, different in shape and length.

In Russia, banners were called banners and represented a cloth with the image of the saints, the Virgin or Christ. Before the battle, the soldiers prayed, looking at the banner fluttering over the camp, bowing as before the icons.

From time immemorial they were protected as the apple of their eye and unfolded only on the eve of the battle. It was from then on that the expression "stand under the banner", what it means to defend, to gather together to defend the interests of the state.

The veneration of the battle banner as a symbol of valor and honor was further strengthened by Peter the Great. He created the first military charter in Russia , which foresaw the solemn utterance of the oath before the banner: "I promise and swear by Almighty God that from the team and the banner where I belong, although in the field, the convoy or the garrison, I never go away, but for the time being I'm alive , I will follow. "

These traditions still live today. All servicemen of the Russian Federation take the oath, kneeling before the battle flag and tricolor. This is a solemn ceremony with its strict regulations, which every soldier will remember for life.

Banner of Part

The battle flag of the military unit is its distinctive sign and sacred relic. It indicates belonging to the Armed Forces of the country, symbolizes valor, honor and loyalty to the Motherland.

For soldiers, the banner is a reminder of the glorious traditions and great exploits of the valiant Russian troops, who at all times were considered a formidable unshakable force on the enemy's path.

The combat banner is always in the location of the military unit. In peacetime - at the headquarters, during combat duty - at the command post, if the unit has encamped - in the first line of tents under a canopy.

In barracks storage, the guard is guarded by the guard, when carrying it out of its headquarters and transporting it - a platoon platoon.

All servicemen of the unit must selflessly defend the banner in case of danger of its capture. If there is no possibility of salvation, on the orders of the commander, it must be destroyed.

What threatens the loss of the banner?

In Peter's times, if the battle flag was captured by the enemy, the entire platoon guarding the sacred military symbol was to be executed through execution. The regiment disbanded, since such a loss was considered the greatest disgrace. No banner - no regiment.

Nowadays, if this happens, the division commander and soldiers of the guard of honor are subject to a military tribunal, the rest of the servicemen are distributed over other wax parts.

Banner of Victory over the Reichstag

The custom to hoist the assault flag when capturing and liberating cities appeared during the Great Patriotic War. The idea to establish the Banner of Victory over the Reichstag was submitted by Comrade Stalin himself at a meeting of the Moscow Soviet.

The canvas was made by the most skilled Moscow craftsmen. The material of the main symbol of Victory was velvet blood-red color with the embroidered coat of arms of the Soviet Union and the inscription "Our cause is right - we won."

By coincidence, this banner was not sent to the front line and it remained in Moscow. And over Berlin, after that, another canvas, hastily made in the field, was fluttering.

Today, this relic is kept in the Central Museum of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. But visitors can see only its exact copy: the real canvas is stored in a special capsule, where a certain temperature, humidity and light is maintained.

A strip of 73 × 3 cm was torn off the banner. According to one version, during the period when the canvas was kept in one of the political departments, the women there decided to take a piece by heart for memory. Twenty years later, one of them turned to museum workers, told her story and returned a precious piece that came up to size.

Labor banner

In the Soviet period, along with other state awards, the Order of the Red Banner of Labor was introduced . It was presented not only to citizens, organizations and enterprises, but also to republics, cities and other settlements for outstanding labor merits in various branches of science, industry and agriculture. It was very honorable to wear such a decoration.