In Russia, the St. George Ribbon is one of the iconic symbols. At the same time, not everyone knows about how, when and why it arose, what its colors mean, how it differs from other symbols now in use in our country, as well as abroad. Let's talk about it.
St. George's Ribbon: history
The history of the film is inextricably linked with the history of the Russian state. More precisely, with Russian state symbols. Back in the first half of the 18th century, Russia decided what its sovereign colors should be. These colors were black, white, and yellow (or golden). It is these three colors that are reflected on the coat of arms of the Russian Empire. The sovereign eagle was symbolized in black, the field of the coat of arms was golden, and the Russian saint, St. George the Victorious, was symbolized in white. It is from here, that is, on behalf of St. George, that the St. George Ribbon originates.
In the mid-19th century, Empress Catherine introduced the Order of St. George as the highest state award in Russia. This order was to be awarded to Russian senior military leaders for their courage and steadfastness on the battlefield. The order was accompanied by a ribbon called St. George's, which consisted of two yellow (or golden) and three black stripes. This color scheme also had additional symbolic meaning. Thus, the golden color symbolized fire, and the black color symbolized gunpowder, and more broadly, the smoke of military fires.
The same colors of the St. George ribbon - three black and two golden stripes - are also present in the modern St. George ribbon.
At the beginning of the 19th century, the Russian government established a military award for lower ranks - the St. George Medal in the form of a cross with the image of St. George the Victorious. The cross was attached to a bow, painted in the traditional “St. George” colors - three black and two golden stripes.
By the way, the lower rank of the Russian army, awarded four “St. Georges” (the so-called full bow) at that time had approximately the same status and social weight as the Hero of the Soviet Union had during the Second World War.
In the same 19th century, Emperor Alexander II decided to introduce St. George's standards (that is, banners) into the army, as well as to grant St. George's ribbons to military regiments and crews of warships. The St. George's cross was attached to the banner of the crew and the regiment, and, in addition, the St. George's ribbon was tied to the staff. Such military units received the title of “guards” and, accordingly, had the right to wear distinctive insignia on their uniforms. In particular, the sailor guards wore not black, but black and gold ribbons on their caps.
The St. George ribbon, as well as the St. George awards, were in use in Russia until the revolution of 1917, when the Bolshevik government abolished these “symbols of tsarist times.”
Second life of the St. George ribbon
However, the St. George Ribbon did not remain in historical oblivion for long. In the first months of the Second World War, the Soviet government decided to return to the St. George ribbon, despite its “royal origin.” The essence of this decision was that the Red Army and its individual fighters had to be encouraged in some way to raise morale and achieve victory, and the list of awards at that time was small. It was then that we remembered the St. George Ribbon.
True, they still did not call the “St. George” ribbon, but gave it a different name - “Guards”. However, the color scheme remains the same - black and gold stripes. Soon a special “Guard” badge was issued, and the “Naval Guard” badge was issued for the naval forces. From now on, land and naval units began to have distinctive insignia on their banners - St. George's ribbons.
In 1943, the Soviet government established the Order of Glory. This order had three degrees, and, like the earlier Cross of St. George, it was awarded to the lower ranks of the Red Army. The order was given an even greater resemblance to the St. George Cross by the fact that the block of the order had the colors of the Guards (and, in fact, St. George) ribbon. And, by the way, a full holder of the Order of Glory also had almost the same authority in society and enjoyed the same respect as the once holder of a full St. George's bow.
When the Second World War was nearing its end, the USSR government established another award - the medal “For Victory over Germany.” The base of this medal was also covered with a two-color – black and gold – ribbon.
It is clear that after the victory, the ribbon with three black and two golden stripes turned into one of the most important state and national symbols. Moreover, the government strongly encouraged its use in further propaganda and patriotic educational work.
The third life of the St. George ribbon
One of the most important areas in the patriotic education of modern Russians is the memory of the victory won in the Great Patriotic War. It is quite understandable and logical that in such a matter it is impossible to do without the symbol of Victory - the Guards Ribbon. We can say this: the present time in Russia is the time of the third appearance in the lives of Russians of the famous St. George ribbon.
True, the modern appearance of the great symbol still differs in many ways from previous times. Nowadays, the St. George Ribbon has literally stepped into the people’s minds, and, in addition to military symbolization, it has also acquired a general civil meaning.
So, on the eve of the Victory Day holiday, two-color ribbons, called St. George ribbons, are distributed to anyone who wants them, they can be seen anywhere: on the lapels of clothes, handbags, on car antennas and windshields, posters, even on the windows of retail establishments and on certain types of products sold in goods stores.
We can say that the St. George ribbon in all its forms and states has become too much in modern society. And here it is unlikely that quantity can turn into quality. In other words, the too frequent appearance of a great national symbol contributes to the profanation of this symbol, but in no way to the cultivation of patriotic feelings among citizens. But this is already a policy that has a very distant relation to the St. George Ribbon as a symbol and as a part of Russian history.
05/06/2017 05/08/2017 by Mnogoto4ka
Since 1965, on May 9, Russia has celebrated Great Victory Day. From April 24 to May 12, as part of a campaign called “St. George’s Ribbon,” symbols of Victory—St. George’s ribbons—are distributed free of charge to everyone. The meaning of the action itself is simple: in honor of the holiday, the issued ribbons must be hung on bags, on sleeves, on car windshields... Alas, many do this without understanding the meaning and without knowing the history of the St. George ribbon.
The St. George Ribbon is an attribute of many military awards of the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union and modern Russia, characterized as a special insignia.
The St. George Ribbon originally appeared with the Imperial Military Order of the Holy Great Martyr and Victorious George, the highest military award of the Russian Empire. This order was established by Empress Catherine II in 1769 to honor officers for their services on the battlefield. He had four degrees of distinction.
It is interesting that the color scheme of the insignia we are considering has given rise to a lot of controversy. According to the RIA Novosti project “OUR VICTORY” (9may.ru), Count Litta wrote in 1833: “the immortal legislator who founded this order believed that its ribbon connects the color of gunpowder and the color of fire...”. According to the same website, Serge Andolenko, a Russian officer, did not agree with this explanation: “In reality, the colors of the order have been state colors since the time when the double-headed eagle on a golden background became the Russian national emblem...” According to other publicly available information, the black-orange color scheme should be understood as the color of smoke and fire. In any case, the symbol, which appeared in Tsarist Russia, has become firmly entrenched in history and has now become the traditional color of the May 9 holiday.
Two historical anecdotes are associated with the introduction of the Order of St. George: the first case of self-awarding occurred literally immediately after the creation of the insignia. Catherine II awarded herself the Order of the 1st degree for introducing the Order of St. George. Alexander II went even further and awarded himself it on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Order. But if we return to the symbolism, the Order of St. George was given for specific feats on the battlefield or for giving the right advice useful for military service.
In Soviet times, the St. George Ribbon did not fall into oblivion, but took an honorable place among military insignia. By decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of November 8, 1943, she became part of the Order of Glory of three degrees. It was thanks to this event that it became possible to use it as a sign of respect to the soldiers of the Great Patriotic War.
There is an exact list of feats for which the Order of Glory was given. Among others, in the list you can find such items as “In a moment of danger, he saved the banner of his unit from being captured by the enemy”, “Despising danger, he was the first to break into the enemy bunker (pillbox, trench or dugout), and with decisive actions destroyed his garrison”, “Disregarding personal danger, captured the enemy’s banner in battle,” “Risking his life, under enemy fire, he provided assistance to the wounded during a number of battles,” and so on. Of course, heroes who received the Order of Glory were promoted.
The St. George ribbon adorns the blocks of the “Order of Glory” - a military order of the USSR, established by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR in 1943.
- The Order of Glory has three degrees, of which the highest I degree is gold, and II and III are silver.
- These orders were issued for personal feat on the battlefield, were issued in strict order - from lowest to highest degree.
The St. George ribbon adorns the blocks of the medal “For Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945,” established by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on May 9, 1945. The medal was awarded to military personnel who took direct participation on the war fronts.
The St. George Ribbon is part of the “Order of St. George” - the highest military award of the Russian Federation, which awarded to senior and senior officers for conducting combat operations during an attack by an external enemy.
In addition, the St. George Ribbon is also present on other military orders, medals, standards and banners.
The colors of the ribbon - black and orange - mean “smoke and flame” and are a sign of the soldier’s personal valor shown in battle.
“St. George’s Ribbon” is one of the most interesting projects for creating symbols in our country. Having appeared in the year of the sixtieth anniversary of the Victory (2005), it managed to become a tradition in 4 years. The action is recognized as the largest patriotic event in Russia. Well, this is a good result. The St. George Ribbon has a glorious history and deserves to have its colors symbolize the Great Victory.
Today, many people take part in the action, happily attaching ribbons to bags and clothes. Despite the fact that the organizers of the action and government officials approve of the appearance of a new patriotic symbol, many Russian residents, on the contrary, are protesting against the action. Their protest has a logical basis: the Order of St. George is an important award given for heroic actions during hostilities. The participants of the action, most likely, have not accomplished any feats, and therefore cannot have the right to wear a ribbon. The moral aspect of this dilemma is extremely complex, and each person decides for himself: either the ribbon is a tribute of respect, the personification of our gratitude, or the unlawful use of part of a military award.
They foretell the holiday of the Great Victory. But what do the colors black and orange symbolize? What is the history of the St. George ribbon? Historian Mikhail Morukov told our correspondent about this.
news: Mikhail Yuryevich, the St. George ribbon is an integral part of the Order of St. George...
Mikhail Morukov: Yes, it all started with him. This order was established by Catherine the Second in 1769. Its full name is the Imperial Military Order of the Holy Great Martyr and Victorious George. This was the most honorable order for the military. Initially it was intended only for officers and generals. Soldiers in the Russian army were awarded medals. But later they decided that soldiers should be rewarded more seriously for special merits. For example, for saving the commander, the banner, or for an action that decided the outcome of the battle. For this purpose, at the beginning of the 19th century, the “Insignia of the Military Order” was established. It was called the St. George's Cross. This sign was the same cross as on the order, only not enameled. (Officer's crosses were covered with white enamel.) The cross was worn on the same two-color ribbon. The cross had four degrees, like the order. Initially, St. George's crosses were worn according to the principle from lowest to highest degree. That is, if a military man has a high degree of this sign, he cannot wear a lower one. But then it was decided that all St. George’s crosses could be worn at the same time. Hence the title - full Knight of St. George. Our St. George's ribbon is connected directly to the St. George's cross, of course.
and: What do the colors of the ribbon mean?
Morukov: There are different opinions about the symbolism of the tape. The most common expression is that black and orange represent smoke and flame. The second option is heraldic. The coat of arms of Russia depicts a black eagle on a golden background. But the thing is that the eagle on the coat of arms of the Russian Empire was most often depicted as black, but the background was not always orange or gold.
and: Which of our famous military leaders had St. George's awards?
Morukov: In imperial Russia, the Order of St. George was the highest award. And not everyone, even our outstanding military leaders, had the Order of St. George. Alexander Suvorov and Mikhail Kutuzov had St. George's crosses. During the First World War, it was allowed to award the Cross of St. George to soldiers and officers. Especially during the period of the Provisional Government from February to October 1917, they liked to do this. Of the Soviet full knights of St. George, the most famous is Marshal of the Soviet Union Semyon Mikhailovich Budyonny. By the way, he was twice deprived of St. George's crosses for misconduct, so in total he received St. George's cross six times.
and: How were the St. George awards awarded during the Great Patriotic War?
Morukov: Until 1941, the only color of our orders was red. And they didn’t wear any awards on the St. George’s ribbon. But with the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, the Insignia of the Military Order was restored. The Order of Glory was introduced, which was intended to be awarded only to privates and sergeants. He had three degrees and was worn on a St. George ribbon. This award was returned in order to emphasize the continuity of the traditions of the Russian army. Now they have begun to award the Order of St. George again. But he is no longer the same. The Order of George of that time cannot be returned - it is an imperial order. Now it’s more of a tribute to tradition.
We all know that the “St. George Ribbon” is an all-Russian event for the distribution of symbolic black and orange ribbons signifying Victory in the Great Patriotic War. The Code of the Action states that the St. George Ribbon symbolizes respect for war veterans, tribute to those who died, and gratitude to those who gave everything for victory in the war. Ribbons, as a symbol of the unbroken spirit of the people who defeated fascism, began to be distributed in 2005 on the initiative of the Student Community and RIA Novosti. However, few people know why this ribbon is black and orange, and also what exactly these colors mean.
In fact, the name of the action refers us to the St. George Ribbon. This is the name of the two-color ribbon for the Order of St. George and some other awards. Since the establishment of the order by Catherine II in 1769, this ribbon has been black and yellow. In the 1913 sample, the yellow color was replaced by orange. True, both colors from a heraldic point of view are variations of gold. Thus, if we are talking specifically about the St. George Ribbon, then it was used with awards presented in the Russian Empire, and has no direct relation to the exploits of soldiers in the Great Patriotic War. In the USSR, imperial awards were abolished, but during the Great Patriotic War in 1942, the Guards Ribbon was established - three black stripes on a golden-orange ribbon. Thus, it is she who symbolizes the exploits of the people of the USSR in the Great Patriotic War, and, according to skeptics and critics, the commemorative ribbons being distributed correspond specifically to the Guards, and not the St. George ribbon, despite the name of the action. But, by and large, the Guards Ribbon can actually be called the successor of the St. George's, because both of them were awarded along with honorary awards, both symbolized a feat - the Soviet Guards Ribbon was used in the army and navy in units and on ships, which were awarded for the courage and bravery of fighters the title of “Guards” or “Guards”, in the Order of Glory and in the medal “For Victory over Germany”.
Thus, the St. George Ribbon is an important symbol of Victory, uniting people who remember and honor the feat of their ancestors, the feat of people who, united, were able to save the Motherland and the world from the worst enemy.
What do the colors of the St. George's ribbon mean?
- There are different opinions about the symbolism of the St. George ribbon. For example, Count Litta wrote in 1833: “the immortal legislator who founded this order believed that its ribbon connects the color of gunpowder and the color of fire...”. However, Serge Andolenko, a Russian officer who later became a general in the French army and compiled the most complete collection of drawings and descriptions of regimental badges of the Russian army, does not agree with this explanation: “In fact, the colors of the order have been state colors since the time when the double-headed eagle became the Russian national emblem on a golden background... This is how the Russian coat of arms was described under Catherine II: “A black eagle, on the heads there is a crown, and at the top in the middle there is a large Imperial crown - gold, in the middle of the same eagle is George, on a white horse, defeating a serpent, a cape and a spear - yellow, the crown is yellow, the serpent is black." Thus, the Russian military order, both in its name and in its colors, had deep roots in Russian history."
- St. George Ribbon is a two-color ribbon for the Order of St. George, the Cross of St. George, the St. George Medal. Also, St. George's ribbons on the cap were worn by the sailors of the guards crew of the ship awarded the St. George's flag.
In some cases, the St. George Ribbon was used as an analogue of the corresponding award - the Order of St. George, the Insignia of the Military Order and the Cross of St. George. In those cases when holders of the Insignia of the Military Order could not receive the Insignia itself (for example, during the defense of Sevastopol in 1854-55), they wore the St. George Ribbon on their uniforms. During the First World War, the St. George Knights also wore the St. George Ribbon in the winter over the side of their overcoat.
In addition, this is the only time that the St. George Ribbon acquired the status of an independent award. This happened in 1914, when for his services in carrying out mobilization, Lieutenant General A.S. Lukomsky was awarded the St. George Ribbon to the Order of St. Vladimir, 4th degree, which he already had. Thus, he became a holder of a unique order - St. Vladimir on the St. George Ribbon. The wits gave this award the nickname “Vladimir Georgievich.”
The ribbon, with some changes, entered the Soviet award system under the name of the Guards Ribbon as a special insignia. During the Soviet period, the guards ribbon was used to decorate the block of the Order of Glory and the medal for the victory over Germany. In addition, the image of the Guards ribbon was placed on the banners of Guards military units and ships.
- The colors of the ribbon, black and yellow-orange, mean smoke and flame and are a sign of the soldier’s personal valor on the battlefield. It is also believed that these colors are based on the life of St. George the Victorious and symbolize death and resurrection. St. George, according to hagiography, passed through death three times and was resurrected twice.
- Now the black and orange ribbons that sound for Victory Day have become a symbol of the heroic struggle that the Russian troops commanded against the fascist invaders. This ribbon first appeared in 1769 on the Order of St. George the Pobidonosts. This order was the most honorable and at first it was awarded only to officers of the highest rank.
Then, in the 19th century, the St. George Cross was founded, which was awarded to soldiers who were especially noted on the battlefield. For example, they saved the commander or the flag, or took an action that decided the outcome of the battle. The ribbon, which is used in events dedicated to Victory in the Great Patriotic War, is most closely related to this cross
The St. George Ribbon has occupied its place in the history of awards for almost 250 years. This detail of the honorary award deserves due respect. Therefore, before putting on such a ribbon, you need to really understand the depth of meaning inherent in this symbol.
There is a very interesting example of awarding the Soldier's Cross to a high-ranking military personnel. This award was personally awarded to Emperor Alexander I by General M.A. Miloradovich. He did a heroic act by joining the battle with the French as a private, presenting a personal example of perseverance to the soldiers
Independently, that is, without the main award, this ribbon was worn by warriors who could not receive the badge itself for some reason. In this case, the order bearers could attach the St. George ribbon to the side of their overcoat
The St. George Ribbon, the colors of which are black and orange, symbolizes military valor and heroism shown on the battlefield. Black is the color of gunpowder smoke, orange is the color of fire. There is another interpretation of this symbolism - this is the heraldic origin of flowers. The coat of arms of Russia depicts a black double-headed eagle on a golden background
The third interpretation of this combination of colors also explains the duty of the stripes in a certain order - three black stripes and two orange. Here is the life story of the Great Martyr George Pobidonostsya. According to the holy books, this great martyr suffered death three times, but was resurrected by God twice
- peace, labor, may
- Black-orange means “hunger and devastation” and is a sign of the personal valor of a Russian soldier in destroying enemy food supplies on the field. It is also believed that these colors are the colors of the “saints” of Givi-Matarolla and symbolize death, hunger and destruction in the fields of Donbass. The only way to control these pests is chemical treatment and fire.
- thank you very much)
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