What does a banner mean for a soldier? With its solemn removal, not only among the military, but also in most other people, the heart begins to beat faster. The banner is an ancient symbol of courage, honor and dignity, a symbol of faith and devotion to one’s Motherland. Looking at the fluttering canvas, guarded by an honor guard, in every patriot wakes up pride in his country, his history, his great people.
What is a banner?
Many people think that a banner is the same as a flag, but it’s a fallacy. The banner is made only in a single copy from expensive materials and is decorated on both sides with embroidery with the coat of arms, inscription or other symbols. The canvas is mounted on a pole, crowned with a metal tip, in contrast to the flag, which is usually raised with a cord on the flagpole.
The meaning of the word “banner” comes from the old Russian verb “know” (distinguish, notice). In the old days, the place of gathering of soldiers on the military field or the headquarters of the prince was thus designated. At the same time, a banner is a distinctive sign of any organization, whether it be a state, military unit or labor collective.
The history of the first banners
The prototypes of modern banners were still among the nomadic peoples of Asia - these are long poles with bundles of grass and horse tails tied to the end. Later a tradition appeared to use pieces of bright fabric, different in shape and length.
In Russia, the banners were called banners and were panels depicting saints, the Virgin or Christ. Before the battle, the soldiers prayed, looking at the banners fluttering over the camp, bowing as before the icons.
From time immemorial they were cherished like the apple of an eye and deployed only on the eve of the battle. Since then, the phrase “stand under the banner” has come to mean what it means to come out in defense, to come together to defend the interests of the state.
The veneration of the military banner as a symbol of valor and honor was further strengthened by Peter the Great. He created the first military charter in Russia , which provided for the solemn pronouncement of the oath before the banner: “I promise and swear by God Almighty that I will never leave the team and the banner where I belong, although in a field, wagon train or garrison, but I’m still alive I will follow. "
These traditions live to this day. All servicemen of the Russian Federation take the oath, kneeling before the battle flag and tricolor. This is a solemn ceremony with its strict regulations, which every soldier will remember for a lifetime.
Part banner
The military banner of the military unit is its distinctive sign and sacred relic. It indicates belonging to the Armed Forces of the country, symbolizes valor, honor and loyalty to the motherland.
For soldiers, a banner is a reminder of the glorious traditions and great deeds of the valiant Russian troops, which at all times were considered a formidable unshakable force on the enemy’s path.
The battle flag is always located at the location of the military unit. In peacetime - in the headquarters, during combat duty - at the command post, if the unit camped - in the first line of tents under a canopy.
When storing the barracks, the banner guards the guard; when it is removed from headquarters and transported, the flag platoon is guarded.
All military units must selflessly defend the banner in case of danger of its capture. If there is no possibility of salvation, by order of the commander it is subject to destruction.
What threatens the loss of the banner?
In Peter's times, if the battle flag was captured by the enemy, the entire platoon guarding the sacred military symbol was to be executed by shooting. The regiment disbanded, since such a loss was considered the greatest disgrace. No banner - no regiment.
Nowadays, if this happens, the unit commander and soldiers of the standard guard are subject to a military tribunal, the rest of the military are distributed in other wax parts.
Victory Banner over the Reichstag
The custom of hoisting the assault flag during the capture and liberation of cities appeared during the Great Patriotic War. The idea to establish the Victory Banner over the Reichstag was filed by Comrade Stalin himself at a meeting of the Moscow Council.
The canvas was made by the hands of the most skilled Moscow craftswomen. The material of the main symbol of the Victory was a blood-red velvet with the emblem of the Soviet Union embroidered on it and the inscription "Our cause is right - we won."
By coincidence, this banner was not sent to the front line and remained in Moscow. And later another canvas, hastily made in the field, fluttered over Berlin.
Today, this relic is kept in the Central Museum of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. But visitors can only see its exact copy: the real canvas is stored in a special capsule, where a certain temperature, humidity and light are maintained.
A strip measuring 73 × 3 cm was torn off the banner. According to one version, during the period when the canvas was stored in one of the political departments, the women serving there decided to take a piece for memory. Two decades later, one of them turned to museum workers, told her story and returned a precious scrap that fit in size.
Labor banner
In the Soviet period, along with other state awards, the Order of the Red Banner of Labor was introduced . It was awarded not only to citizens, organizations and enterprises, but also to republics, cities and other settlements for outstanding labor services in various fields of science, industry and agriculture. Wearing such an insignia was very honorable ..