Flag of the Republic of Artsakh
On 2 June 1992, the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR), a breakaway state in the South Caucasus region, adopted a flag derived from the flag of Armenia, to which a white, five-toothed, stepped carpet pattern is added, beginning at the two verges of the flag's fly and meeting at a point equal to one-third of the distance from that side.[1] The NKR was renamed the Republic of Artsakh in 2017 after a referendum and has retained the flag.
![]() | |
Use | National flag |
---|---|
Proportion | 1:2 |
Adopted | 2 June 1992 |
Design | A horizontal tricolor of red, blue, and orange with a white sideways zig-zag chevron in the fly |
![]() The national flag of Armenia used in the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic until 1992 | |
Use | Historical |
Proportion | 1:2 |
Adopted | September 2, 1991 |
Design | A horizontal tricolour of red, blue, and orange |
Part of a series on the |
Culture of Artsakh |
---|
History |
People |
Languages |
Religion |
Music |
Description
The flag is a rectangular panel of three horizontal and equal-length stripes. On the right side of the panel is a white five-pronged stepped carpet pattern.[2][3] The pattern occupies one-third of the flag. The flag's aspect ratio is 1:2.[1][4] The flag was adopted on 2 June 1992.
The symbolism of the colors is as follows: Red—the ongoing struggle of the Armenian people for existence, Christian faith, independence and freedom, blue—the will of the Armenian people to live under a peaceful sky, orange—solidarity and hard work of the Armenian people, and the white pattern represents the mountains of Armenian Artsakh, and also forms an arrow pointing westward to symbolize the aspiration for eventual union with Armenia.[3] This symbolizes the Armenian heritage, culture and population of the area, and the triangular shape and zigzag cut represent Artsakh as a separated region of Armenia. The white pattern on the flag is also similar to the designs used on rugs, a symbol of national identity.[5]
History
Designed on the basis of the Armenian tricolor,[6] featuring a zigzag pattern of white color reminiscent of ornaments and patterns of traditional Armenian carpets.
The idea of color separation and sketch came from the first head of the NKR Supreme Council Artur Mkrtchyan.[7]
By the decree of the Supreme Council of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic of 26 January 1993, the coat of arms, flag and anthem of the NKR were approved. The flag is enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Artsakh, and was adopted at a national referendum held on 10 December 2006. The Law "On the Flag, Coat of Arms and Anthem of the NKR" was adopted on 27 November 2008. The description of the flag has undergone minor changes in the 2017 NKR Constitution.[8]
Gallery
See also
References
- "Attributes of Statehood". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nagorno-Karabakh. Archived from the original on 16 December 2006. Retrieved 9 January 2007.
- "Государственные символы | NKR". www.nkr.am. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
- "Republic of Artsakh". www.crwflags.com. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
- "Официальный сайт Президента Нагорно-Карабахской Республики". president.nkr.am. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
- "The Significance of the Armenian Rug | Armenian News By MassisPost". massispost.com. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
- "Armenia". www.fotw.info. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
- "Հայաստանի Հանրապետություն". Հայաստանի Հանրապետություն (in Armenian). Retrieved 25 August 2022.
- "флаги Карабаха". www.vexillographia.ru. Retrieved 25 August 2022.