One of the main attributes of the capital of Great Britain is the flag of London

St. George the Victorious is the patron of many cities and countries. The list includes Moscow, England, Georgia, Aragon, Barcelona, Genoa. In Britain, he is not only the patron of the state (recognized officially in 1344), under his heavenly care is located the capital - London.

The right of the capital to its national attributes

Not all, but most capitals, especially developed states, have their own attributes of power - a flag or a coat of arms, or both. Very often, the main cities of the countries represent a separate territorial unit with their government, law enforcement agencies, with their emblems on which some dominant of the city is displayed. Two symbols have the capital of Great Britain, London - the coat of arms and the flag. Own power attributes represent the capital at the international level. State symbols can be both symbols of the predominant religion on its territory, and something else that is fundamental for the city itself or its history. Christianity on the attributes of the power of the state or its capital, as a rule, depicts a cross.

History of the origin of the flag

The flag of London is borrowed from the old historic urban area - City, built on the basis of the oldest (the 43rd year - the era of the Roman emperor Claudius) of the city of Londinium. At that time this city was of great importance: in the year 100 it became the capital of Roman Britain. There are allegations that it was built on the foundation of an older civilization.

Britain is a Christian country, and the image on its flag of the cross is natural and symbolic, as it is on the banner of London. The most revered saints here are George the Victorious, who as a commander had his banner (under him all the crusaders fought, it is a symbol of chivalrous valor): a red cross, whose center is in the middle of a panel of bright white color.

Semantic load of the banner

The flag of London repeats the drawing of the knightly flag, except that the edges of the St. George cross coincide with the edges of the banner, and in the left upper part, next to the pole, is a red sword. The banner is very old, the symbolism has not changed for centuries. And it is obvious that the sword pointing upwards speaks not only of valor, but also of justice. The significance of the City district (not to mention the fact that it is a world - class financial center ) emphasizes the fact that its primordial banner is represented all over the world as the flag of London. There is a version that this banner was invented by Pope Urban II especially for knights going to the First Crusade in 1096. Military glory to the flag of St. George was added and the Welsh battles, where in 1275 it was used as a symbolism - the knights' horses were covered with blankets, completely repeating the banner.

The main power attribute of London

The coat of arms of the English capital carries the same meaning as the previous attribute. The motto inscribed on the ribbon located in the lower part of the heraldic object speaks about this. Domine dirige nos - the ancient Latin saying is translated as "Lord, guide us" - the motto of the knights of Britain. The coat of arms was officially approved in 1380, but its symbolic design is rooted in Anglo-Saxon wars of the V-IX centuries, in the era of the early Middle Ages.

Under these St. George's banners, the British ships set out to conquer Palestine in 1179 to the south.

History of the country, reflected in the coat of arms

The central part of the coat of arms is the flag of London, completely covering the field of the knight's shield, which on both sides is held by mythological monsters. The dragons were always associated with the "universal evil" and cruelty in the Western worldview.
Ancient Britons associated them with Saxon invaders, the victory over which is symbolized by St. George's crosses of bright red color, scattered along the wings of dragons. The color scheme of the London coat of arms is strict - a scarlet color on a white or silver background. Hence the state value of the red color - they are painted by buses and phone booths, the Lord Mayor's clothes are also red.

The crown at the top of the main symbol of the capital emphasizes the monarchical structure of England and the continuity of traditions.

Everyday use of banner symbols

The London flag as an emblem is used very often, because its presence makes the thing popular. It is applied absolutely to everything - clothes, furniture, furniture interiors are decorated by it, it has a place for breaking parks and squares, floristics and confectionery also give it a tribute. Such love of the English to their banners (and in the national flag of England in the center is still the same red cross dividing the canvas into four equal parts) is explained not only by the fact that St. George is the heavenly patron of both England and London. According to many statements, this Great Martyr comes from ancient Britain, and therefore is an English compatriot. The flag of London (photo) has an interesting and rich history of its becoming as a symbol of valor.