Since 1965, on May 9, Russia has celebrated Great Victory Day in its usual form - with a Parade and designated areas for celebrations. Since the end of April, as part of a campaign called “St. George’s Ribbon”, symbols of Victory - St. George’s ribbons - have been distributed free of charge to everyone. The meaning of the action itself is simple: in honor of the holiday, the issued ribbons must be hung on bags, on sleeves, on car windshields... Alas, many do this without understanding the meaning and without knowing the history of the St. George ribbon, sometimes their actions are not even a tribute, but a simple parrot (everyone has put it on, and I will put it on).
The full version of the article contains materials about the symbol of the Great Victory - the St. George Ribbon.
The St. George ribbon was created as part of an award set consisting of the Order of St. George, the St. George Cross or St. George medal and ribbon. In addition, it was once part of some military insignia that were assigned to military units.
The St. George Ribbon first appeared together with the Order of St. George in 1769. It is interesting that the color scheme of the insignia we are considering has given rise to a lot of controversy. According to the RIA Novosti project “OUR VICTORY” (9may.ru), Count Litta wrote in 1833: " the immortal legislator who founded this order believed that its ribbon connects the color of gunpowder and the color of fire..."According to the same site, Serge Andolenko, a Russian officer, did not agree with this explanation: " In fact, the colors of the order have been the state colors since the time when the double-headed eagle on a golden background became the Russian national emblem..." According to other publicly available information, the black-orange color scheme should be understood as the color of smoke and fire. In any case, the symbol, which appeared in Tsarist Russia, has become firmly entrenched in history and has now become the traditional color of the May 9 holiday.
Two historical anecdotes are associated with the introduction of the Order of St. George: the first case of self-awarding occurred literally immediately after the creation of the insignia. Catherine II awarded herself the Order of the 1st degree for introducing the Order of St. George. Alexander II went even further and awarded himself it on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the legendary insignia. But if we return to the symbolism, the Order of St. George was given for specific feats on the battlefield or for giving the right advice useful for military service.
In Soviet times, the St. George Ribbon did not fall into oblivion, but took an honorable place among military insignia. By decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of November 8, 1943, she became part of the Order of Glory of three degrees. It was thanks to this event that it became possible to use it as a sign of respect to the soldiers of the Great Patriotic War. There is an exact list of feats for which the Order of Glory was given. Among others, in the list you can find such items as “In a moment of danger, he saved the banner of his unit from being captured by the enemy”, “Despising danger, he was the first to break into the enemy bunker (pillbox, trench or dugout), and with decisive actions destroyed his garrison”, “Disregarding personal security, captured the enemy’s banner in battle,” “Risking his life, under enemy fire, he provided assistance to the wounded during a number of battles,” and so on. Of course, heroes who received the Order of Glory were promoted.
“St. George’s Ribbon” is one of the most interesting projects for creating symbols in our country. Having appeared in the year of the sixtieth anniversary of the Victory (2005), it managed to become a tradition - an unprecedented event in the modern history of Russia. The action is recognized as the largest patriotic event in Russia. Well, this is a good result. The St. George Ribbon has a glorious history and deserves to have its colors symbolize the Great Victory.
Today, many people take part in the action, happily attaching ribbons to bags and clothes. Despite the fact that the organizers of the action and government officials approve of the appearance of a new patriotic symbol, many Russian residents, on the contrary, protest against the action. Their protest also has a logical basis: The Order of St. George is an important award given for heroic actions during military operations. The participants of the action, most likely, have not accomplished any feats, and therefore cannot have the right to wear a ribbon. The moral aspect of this dilemma is extremely complex, and, as it seems to me, each person decides for himself: either the ribbon is a tribute of respect, the personification of our gratitude, or the unlawful use of part of a military award.
It is a combination of black and orange colors. These colors symbolize dark smoke and bright flames. Its history dates back to the autumn of 1769. Then Empress Catherine II introduced the soldier's Order of St. George the Victorious. A two-color ribbon became its component.
The order was awarded to military personnel who showed courage in battles for their homeland. The Order of St. George consists of 4 degrees. The ribbon, which has three black and two orange stripes, was part of the 1st class of this award. It was worn under the uniform, thrown over the right shoulder. A striped ribbon called "Georgievskaya", not only used in this way. Later, its use was expanded and began to be included in the decoration of clothing items: standards, buttonholes.
St. George's ribbon during the USSR
During the Soviet era, the St. George Ribbon was not forgotten. It entered the award system with minor changes and acquired the name "Guards Ribbon". On November 8, 1943, a Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR was issued. It said that the St. George ribbon became part of the Order of Glory. It was used to cover the block of this honorary badge. This event was a great chance to use it as a sign of respect for all soldiers.
The Order of Glory was awarded to heroes who performed the feats specified in the list. Among the wide list, one could find points that capturing the enemy’s banner, providing assistance to the wounded under enemy bullets during several battles, saving the banner of one’s unit, being the first to penetrate the enemy’s shelter and eliminate his garrison could be considered a feat. Heroes who received this badge of honor were immediately promoted.
In 1992 she received a new beginning. Then the ribbon itself and the Order of St. George were approved as signs of military courage and courage.
St. George's ribbon today
The project started in 2005. Then the sixtieth anniversary of the Victory was celebrated. Every year it was just gaining momentum and had already become a good tradition. The action was recognized as one of the largest in scale in Russia.
People taking part in the program attach St. George Ribbon for clothes, handbags, car mirrors. This is a kind of embodiment of gratitude, a tribute to those who died in battle. The great history of the St. George ribbon deserves to have its colors signify Victory.
The history of the St. George ribbon is inextricably linked with the heroic past of Russia. It is known that it was an integral part of three award signs established in the name of the patron saint of the Russian army, St. George the Victorious - an order, a cross and a medal. In addition, the ribbon adorned the visor caps of sailors who served as part of the Imperial Guards crew and on ships awarded the St. George flag. It also flew on the banners of the royal army.
What does the St. George Ribbon mean? The history of its appearance
During the military campaign of 1768-1774, a special award was established - the St. George Ribbon - to reward those who showed courage, bravery and prudence for the benefit of Russia. Her motto became the following words: “For service and courage.” A corresponding award sign also appeared - a white equilateral cross or a four-pointed gold star.
There are four known degrees of the order. Cavaliers were the first to be awarded a cross, a star and a ribbon decorated with stripes of black and orange. Heroes awarded the order of the second degree also had a star and a separate cross, which they wore around their necks. The next degree gave the right to wear a small cross around the neck, and the fourth - in the buttonhole. Since the establishment of the order, black and yellow colors have become symbols of military valor and courage. Thus, the history of the appearance of the St. George Ribbon can only be considered in conjunction with the history of the order itself.
What the ribbon looked like and how it was put on
The ribbon was worn depending on the class of the recipient. There were three options: in the buttonhole, around the neck or over the shoulder. The history of the St. George Ribbon also includes the following curious fact: those awarded it received a lifelong salary from the treasury, and after their death, the heirs became the owners of the award. But the order’s statute also provided for the deprivation of awards to those who, by any unseemly act, tarnished the honor of the Knight of St. George.
Initially, the St. George ribbon was made of silk and decorated with stripes of black and yellow colors - as provided for in the order’s statute of 1769. But if you look at the samples of those ancient years that have come down to us, you will notice that even then the yellow color on them clearly gravitated towards orange, which would be officially approved only in 1913. For a long time, there have been discussions about what the St. George Ribbon means.
The history of its appearance is connected with war, so many believe that black means smoke, and orange means flame. This version, of course, has a right to exist, but the one expressed by the famous expert in the field of phaleristics S. Andolenko is more likely. He draws attention to the correspondence between the colors of the ribbon and the state emblem of Russia - a black eagle on a golden background.
St. George Ribbon. History, meaning and features
There are many order ribbons, but only a few of them have independent status. The history of the St. George Ribbon knows periods when it was used as a full-fledged analogue of an order or a cross. For example, during the Crimean War, the defenders of Sevastopol could not receive awards and were given ribbons. Another example is the period of the Imperialist War, when those awarded the order pinned a ribbon to the side of their overcoat. But there is also a known case when the St. George Ribbon was awarded without an order and had an independent meaning.
This happened in 1914. One of the highest ranks of the General Staff was awarded it for being able to mobilize the army in the shortest possible time. Neither the order nor the cross could be awarded, since they were awarded only to participants in hostilities. The ribbon was granted to him in addition to the previously existing order, and thus the general received the right to wear it on the St. George ribbon, which was a unique case in the history of Russia.
Two types of tapes
During the reign of Emperor Alexander I, it became a tradition to award units that particularly distinguished themselves in military operations with St. George's Banners. These award standards differed from others in that the St. George Cross was placed in their upper parts (tops), and a black and gold ribbon with banner tassels was attached under it. There were no inscriptions on it. Over time, they began to be called “narrow St. George ribbons.”
In contrast, the imperial decree of 1878 also introduced wide ribbons on which it was written for what specific merits the military unit received this award banner. Such a ribbon became an integral part of the standard and was not removed from it under any circumstances. Their story begins with the fact that at the end of the military campaign of 1877-1878, Alexander II wished to reward the most distinguished units and units of the Danube and Caucasian armies that took part in the battles.
Unique awards for combat regiments
The army commanders presented information about the two regiments that fought under their command. A detailed list of their exploits was attached to the report. But when the relevant commission began to consider the issue of awards, it turned out that these regiments already had all the awards that existed at that time. It was for them that a wide St. George ribbon was established with a listing of their merits.
No more similar ribbons were awarded, and these two regiments forever remained the only ones to receive this honor. It is known that at the end of the Crimean War, by decree of the emperor, personalized award weapons were introduced, decorated with lanyards in the colors of the St. George ribbon. Such an award was considered no less honorable than an order. Examples of these golden weapons can be seen today in many museums across the country.
The palace hall dedicated to the holders of the order
In St. Petersburg, in the royal residence at the end of the 18th century, the Great Throne Hall was opened. Its consecration took place on November 26, the day of the celebration of the memory of St. George the Victorious. In this regard, it was named after him. Since then, all protocol events related to awards have been held within its walls. A commission that considered the candidacies of the next gentlemen also met there, and receptions were held annually in honor of his gentlemen.
Rewarding with a ribbon in the White Guard troops
After seizing power in 1917, the Bolsheviks abolished the previous award system, and the black and gold ribbon began to be used only in units of the White Army. An example is its presentation together with the badge “For the Ice March”, which was used in the award system of Kornilov’s Volunteer Army. Also on the Eastern Front, it was attached to the medal “For the Great Siberian Campaign”.
In addition, the history of the St. George Ribbon contains many facts of its use as patriotic symbols by many White Guard units and formations. Ribbons with black and orange stripes decorated the banners, chevrons and headdresses of soldiers and commanders. This was especially true for participants in the Yaroslavl uprising. The famous ataman Annenkov obliged veterans of his movement to wear St. George's ribbons to distinguish them from recently recruited fighters.
Allies of enemies and fighters against Bolshevism
In 1943, the German command formed the so-called Russian Corps, consisting of immigrants and former citizens of the USSR who defected to the enemy. It was used to suppress the resistance of Yugoslav partisans, and its most distinguished members were awarded St. George's crosses and ribbons. Unfortunately, the history of the St. George ribbon contains not only heroic pages. Vlasovites who fought in the ranks of the Wehrmacht also often wore this badge of valor on their chests.
In 1944, a collaborationist organization called the Union of Struggle against Bolshevism was created in Bobruisk. On his banner, decorated with two-color ribbons, was an image of the Cross of St. George embroidered in silver. The same ribbons served as armbands and insignia of its leaders. Among the numerous unions created in the West by Russian immigrants, all kinds of symbols, including the St. George Ribbon, were popular. One of such organizations was the Russian All-Military Union.
Continuation of the patriotic tradition
The St. George ribbon, the history of which is closely connected with the heroic pages of the Russian-Turkish war, eventually became part of the symbolism of the Soviet army. In 1942, at the height of the battles against fascism, the Guards Ribbon was established, corresponding in appearance to the well-known St. George ribbon. This was a continuation of the glorious patriotic tradition.
It was used on Red Navy visors and as a design for the “Naval Guard” breastplate. The banners of guards units, formations and ships were decorated with the image of a ribbon. In 1943, by government decree, the ribbon of the Order of Glory was established. In appearance it is completely identical to St. George's. It was also used to decorate the block of the medal “For Victory over Germany.”
Revival of glorious awards
With the advent of democratic changes in the country, the attitude towards the monuments of our history has changed in many ways. By government decree of March 2, 1992, the Order of St. George and the insignia “St. George's Cross” were restored. In 2005, in honor of the sixtieth anniversary of the victory over fascism, a public event called “St. George’s Ribbon” was held. Its initiators were the RIA Novosti agency and the Student Community.
From that time on, the Guards Ribbon began to be called St. George's Ribbon again, and events dedicated to it became annual. Thousands of activists are distributing ribbons these days to everyone who wants to express their gratitude to our veterans in this way. Black and gold ribbons, symbolizing the courage and heroism of Russian soldiers, are attached to clothing, bags and car antennas. The action is held under the motto “I remember, I am proud.” Thus, the history of the St. George ribbon, briefly outlined in this article, was continued.
The St. George's ribbon is strongly associated with Victory Day - perhaps everyone has at least one, but do you know what this symbolism means and where it even came from?
Let's talk abouthistory of the St. George ribbon!
St. George Ribbon, history of originwhich dates back to the 17th century, has always been a noticeable and important attribute. Initially, the ribbon appeared as a decorative detail for the award - it was established as a badge of honor for officers who showed particular courage on the battlefield. The award was named - the St. George Cross - was, of course, in honor of St. George the Victorious.
The first to receive this award were soldiers led by Suvorov himself - for their victory over the Turks in the battle for one of the small fortresses.
St. George's banners and St. George's colors
The colors - black and orange - are the imperial colors, which were then used for the state flag. There is also another interpretation of the colors: black - the martyrdom of St. George, and orange - his resurrection. The traditional ribbon consists of five stripes - three black and two colored. Well, another version says that orange and black are the colors of fire and gunpowder, that is, the colors of war. Considering that the order was awarded exclusively as a reward for military exploits, this option has a right to exist.
The banners appeared in 1806 - a white cross was depicted on their top, and the ribbon was located above the banner tassels.
Order of Glory
The award was established in 1769. In addition to the order itself, there were also special award trumpets - of different types for cavalry and infantry. A ribbon in traditional colors was used as a lanyard - it covered part of the pipe and was a very noticeable element.
In 1807, another type of order was established, this time for the lower ranks. This award was also given out for personal courage, was worn on a similar ribbon and brought her truly national fame. It received a different name - “soldier’s cross” or simply “George”, somewhere it was even called “Egory”. The medal for the defense of Sevastopol was also awarded on such a ribbon. A special award for clergy who distinguished themselves in the war - the pectoral cross - was also issued on the St. George ribbon.
The ribbon existed from 1769 to 1917, and during this time it became a kind of connecting link between a lot of different award badges - from banners to medals.
Return of the Order of St. George
Despite the fact that the order was returned in 1801, no one was awarded it for a long time. The emperor explained this with great respect for such a valuable award, which required truly great merit.
However, already in 1833, the order began to be issued for length of service - after 25 years of service or 18 years of service in the navy. Unfortunately, this reduced the value of the order, but in 1855 the situation changed again: the award based on length of service was abolished, and the order again began to be issued only for exceptional services to the fatherland.
In the entire history of its existence, only 25 people were awarded the order of the first, highest, degree, and one of these 25 people was Catherine herself, the founder and head of the order.
In 1917, the order was supplemented with a golden branch on a ribbon, and during the First World War, the order began to be awarded posthumously.
The emergence of the ribbon in 2005
In 2005, ribbons were widely distributed for the first time - from that time on, a kind of “popularization” of ribbons began. The role of activists was played by the participants of the ROOSPPM “Student Community”, as well as concerned citizens from RIA Novosti. They handed out ribbons at large shopping centers, at metro stations, and simply tied ribbons to car antennas. Thus, the St. George ribbon became an indispensable attribute of meetings with veterans, holiday celebrations and other themed events. More than 800,000 ribbons were distributed that year, and the idea was well received not only by young people, but also by veterans.
Conclusion
Today this ribbon can be seen, as we already mentioned, on Victory Day or in a museum where ancient orders are presented. Treat the history of the people and their great victories with respect - the true value of the St. George ribbon is truly immeasurable, it will forever be preserved as one of the symbols of military bravery, courage and love for the fatherland.
St. George's Ribbon is a public event for the distribution of symbolic ribbons, dedicated to the celebration of Victory Day in the Great Patriotic War, taking place since 2005 on the initiative of RIA Novosti and the Student Community.
Since then, the event has become traditional and is held annually at the expense of enterprises and the budget from April 24 to May 12. In 2008, the St. George ribbons were distributed in more than 30 countries.
Over the 6 years of the campaign, more than 50 million ribbons have been distributed around the world. Countries in which the campaign is most active are Russia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia, Abkhazia, Belarus, Ukraine, Greece, France, Italy, Estonia, Latvia, Great Britain, USA, Germany, Moldova, China, Vietnam, Belgium, Kyrgyzstan, Israel , Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan.
The St. George ribbon is called “St. George” because it is a ribbon of orders and medals of Russia - the USSR, as well as the former Russian Empire.
Such a ribbon adorned the medal “For Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945,” which was awarded to all participants in the hostilities back in May 1945.
That is why the St. George’s ribbon is considered in Russia at present (2014) as a symbol of victory over fascism.
Then, of course, it was not advertised that this was a St. George ribbon, but many knew that this ribbon was taken from an analogue of the royal award “St. George's Cross”, which was the most respected among the military. Even ordinary soldiers were awarded it (soldier's Cross of St. George).
But that's not all. The fact is that the Cross of St. George appeared in Russia only in 1807, but before that there was the Order of St. George, established back in 1769 by Empress Catherine. He also had a yellow and black ribbon.
Saint George himself was very respected in Rus'. St. George the Victorious is the symbol of the city of Moscow. This is a man canonized during the years of persecution of Christianity (4th century). The tormentors and executioners could not defeat him, since he constantly revived and again preached the teachings of Christ. He was invincible.