In connection with the centuries-old history of our country and its position on the world stage, the symbolism of the color of Russia in different periods of its existence was ambiguous. An important feature of this is that Russia acquired the "new color" in connection with the state reform.
The type of state power is a key factor in the basis of the imaginative perception of our country. The history of Russia can be conditionally divided into three periods: pre-revolutionary, Soviet and post-Soviet.
Pre-revolutionary Russia can rightfully be considered golden. First, our country is under the rule of the Golden Horde, then it becomes monarchical, and the image of God the father is superimposed on the king. So, Ivan IV proclaimed himself "Tsar" - "By God's grace, Sovereign of all Russia." The tsar, as "God's anointed", becomes not only the supreme ruler of his land, but also the guardian of the Orthodox faith, since it is also a church dignity. The color of gold is the image of God's presence, therefore the rich and luxurious royal vestments acquired a golden color, along with the fact that gold coins were used as money, and church decorations were covered with amalgam and gold leaf.
Pre-revolutionary Russia left us a legacy of the unique architecture of such wonderful ancient cities as Sergiev Posad, Pereslavl-Zalessky, Rostov the Great, Yaroslavl, Kostroma, Ivanovo, Suzdal, Vladimir. It is not for nothing that the tourist route to these places of interest was named "The Golden Ring". The author of the term was journalist and writer Yuri Bychkov. The idea of this name was inspired by the dome of the Ivan the Great Bell Tower, which was burning in the sun in a golden color.
Gold color is a symbol of the sun, wealth, power and magic, a miracle. It is noteworthy that the nineteenth century is called the "golden age" of Russian poetry and literature. This is the time of the formation of our literary language, the central figure of which is A. S. Pushkin. Thanks to him, we grew up with a goldfish, a golden cockerel, a squirrel that gnawed nuts with golden shells, a month with a gilded horn and many other fairy-tale characters and images. In addition to A. S. Pushkin, many of the greatest geniuses of Russian literature, whose works we today can proudly call "golden", turned to this sunny color.
Undoubtedly, the color of red is inherent in the Soviet stage of Russian history. During this period, it symbolizes fire, passion, struggle. Until the October Revolution, red retained the meaning of a symbol of sovereignty. After the coup of the Bolsheviks, the white-blue-red canvas was changed to a red flag depicting the icon of Bolshevism - a sickle, a hammer and a five-pointed star. The red color of the main state attribute of the Land of the Soviets meant the blood shed by the people and the communists for their ideals.
The Bolsheviks monopolized the color red, and many of the everyday trappings of the Soviet people turned red. The pioneers wore red ties, the workers wore red kerchiefs, and this color often appeared in the names of various organizations ("Red Star", "Red Shoe Maker", "Red Plowman"). The production of the famous perfume "Krasnaya Moskva" began in the USSR.
The propaganda poems of the famous Soviet poet Vladimir Mayakovsky well complement the Soviet “red” image of Russia: “The Red Army - Red Hedgehog - our faithful defense”, “Once upon a time there was a cadet. The cadet was wearing a red cap. In addition to this cap, which the cadet had inherited, there was not a damn thing in it and there wasn’t any red color of my republics, either in a kiss of hands or lips, or in a trembling body of those close to me.
You can endlessly argue about what color Russia is in modern times, because its color is a multifaceted image of the native land that occupies the hearts and thoughts of every Russian person. It is no coincidence that the Russians are proud of the green crowns of forest lands, the blue waters of deep rivers and lakes, multicolored, rainbow meadow and field herbs - all the riches of the Russian land convey its shades, thanks to which Mother Russia, willy-nilly, acquires its color in the life of everyone who proudly calls her Fatherland. But this is how it is, regardless of political realities. What color is the Russian Federation?
Unfortunately, at the present time Russia can be considered faceless, the constancy of any color of the country is not observed. The emergence of a market economy, an imaginary democracy, an increase in the price level and a decrease in confidence not only in the government, but also in "tomorrow" has led to the fact that Russia and its citizens have lost a sense of stability. This is the source of the fragmentation of the Russian people, the loss of unity and the national idea. Material values and an orientation towards the ideals of Western culture are beginning to take on an increasing role in Russian society. That is why it turns out that love for the Motherland and its image are not expressed in any shade, and the preference for colors is individual for everyone and is unable to form a single shade of the country.
The peoples inhabiting Russia should understand that only together we can rid our country of a "faceless" existence. To do this, we need a little patience and a huge will to freedom from the "gray confinement" not only of our native land, but also of ourselves.
