For more than two decades in a row its symbol, the tricolor national flag, has proudly been waving over Russia. Despite this, not all citizens of the country know the history of the appearance of the tricolor and its symbols.
The modern Russian flag replaced the USSR flag in 1991. It was also a state symbol from 1896 to 1917. The tricolor Russian flag traces its historical roots to the "flag of the Tsar of Moscow", first raised in 1693 on the yacht "St. Peter". At the beginning of the eighteenth century, the white-blue-red canvas bore the proud title of the trade flag of the Russian Empire.
After going through many reforms, the modern Russian flag before the October Revolution and the subsequent decree on the flag of the RSFSR, adopted in 1918, was the national flag. The White Guards fought under it in the Civil War, but with their defeat the bright scarlet banner became the official banner of the new Soviet Republic. For 70 years, the Russian flag went down in history, finding its second birth only during the period of perestroika. In the 1980s, some democratically inclined parties used its symbolism to collect signatures for the Supreme Council.
After the defeat of the GKChP in August 1991, the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR restored historical justice, and the Russian flag again became the national symbol of the Russian Federation. On November 1, 1991, the President of the Russian Federation issued a law approving it as a state law. So the white-blue-red flag with a great 300-year history returned to its place of honor and became a state symbol. In 2000, the Federal Law "On the State Flag of the Russian Federation" was adopted, defining the rules for its use.
The colors of the white-blue-red Russian flag were interpreted differently at different times. During the time of Peter I, white symbolized freedom, blue was a symbol of the Mother of God, red acted as the color of sovereignty. The modern interpretation of the Russian tricolor is somewhat different: white is a symbol of purity and peace, blue - stability and constancy, red means the blood shed for the Fatherland, as well as the power, strength and energy of the Russian people.
