They say that one of the very first
flags of Bulgaria depicted a horse's tail. This drawing has remained since the time of
Khan Asparuh, the ruler of the Dulo dynasty. He is considered the founder of the first East European state on the Danube. The military banners of the Bulgarian Horde inherited by Asparuh became the first symbols of the country. What was depicted on these panels? It remains only to fantasize: spears, horses,
mythical creatures ... Colors could also be very different. However, since then, the flag of Bulgaria has undergone numerous changes in its appearance, until it finally appears before us as we are used to seeing it. This tricolor is very similar to the Russian one, only in the middle is a green stripe instead of a blue one.
What flag does Bulgaria have today?
The modern banner was approved in 1990. It includes three equal horizontal stripes of various colors: white - at the top, green - in the middle, and below - red. The ratio of the length of the panel to the width is 5: 3. If you have never seen the flag of Bulgaria, the photo above illustrates it clearly.
Tricolor: symbolism
White is the traditional color of freedom, which the inhabitants of the said country very, very much appreciate. Too hard she got them in a difficult struggle with the invaders. For many years, the Bulgarians fought a war of liberation against the invaders, thousands of courageous soldiers died in unequal battles. Therefore, the white color also symbolizes the sky, where the dead heroes fall.
Green, according to tradition, is the color of Bulgarian kings, elite, and aristocracy. But today this strip also embodies the country's rich nature, the splendor of Stara Planina and the forests of the Pirin Mountains.
Red symbolizes the blood of Bulgarian patriots shed in the struggle for independence.
In fairness, it should be noted that the flag of Bulgaria in this form has existed since 1947, but at the time of the People's Republic (1947-1990) in the corner, near the shaft, there was also a coat of arms on the white strip, which was removed in 1990.
A bit of history
In 1861, the use of the Bulgarian Legion tricolor was first recorded, only the colored stripes were located differently: green on the top, white in the middle, and red below. The same standard was used in the volunteer detachment of Philip Totu during the Serbian-Turkish war of 1876-1877. In the 70s the year before last, such a distribution of colors personified the Revolutionary Central Committee of Bulgaria. The first Constitution of the state (1879) states that the flag of Bulgaria was almost identical to the Russian one. The color and arrangement of the stripes were deliberately chosen, due to the fact that Russia took a very active part in the war of its eastern neighbor with Turkey 1877-1878, and always
supported the freedom-loving people in the struggle for independence. Recall that the only difference between the banners is a green stripe instead of a blue one.
And yet, according to one legend, the flag of Bulgaria, that is, the colors of its tricolor, has incorporated the symbolism of the banners of the former Army of this ancient state, taken in old times. On the left wing of the old banner - white stripes, as the embodiment of peace and freedom. War spears and swords are certainly painted in the color of blood, which reminded of the battle for independence. Green is a symbol of elite troops, always located in the center. This, we recall, is traditionally the color of the kings of Bulgaria, and not only Bulgaria. Legends are right or not - no one can tell exactly. However, the fact that the modern flag of Bulgaria is very similar to the Russian one is an indisputable fact!