Kazakhstan

Information about the Kazakhstani Flag: Colors and Meaning of the Flag of Kazakhstan

:: Meaning of the Kazakhstani Flag ::

Kazakhstan was once a republic of the USSR. It was the last Soviet republic to declare its independence on December 16, 1991. The landlocked country is situated between Europe and Central Asia. Throughout most of its history, nomadic tribes inhabited this region, which for the most part consists of vast dry steppes.

Officially, the country is called Qzaqstan Replicas or the Republic of Kazakhstan, with Akmola, now known as Astana as its capital.

:: History of the Kazakhstan Flag ::

It was in the 19th century that present day Kazakhstan came under the communist rule of the Russian Empire when it expanded its territories in Central Asia.

From 1937 until 1940, Kazakhstan, like the rest of the countries under communist rule waved a red flag with a hammer and sickle in gold in the upper part of its hoist side. Letterings, also in gold were under the communist emblem. From 1940 up to 1953, the flag was revised, moving the gold letterings to the top of the flag, to the side of the emblem, with the letters almost reaching the edge of the flying side of the flag.

In 1953, the gold letterings were removed from the flag. They were replaced by a strip of sky blue placed near the lower part of the flag while retaining the hammer and sickle in its original position. This version of the Kazakhstan flag was in use until 1991.

After it was granted independence on December 16, 1991, a new design, out of more than a hundred designs submitted was chosen. The winning designer was Shaken Niyazbekov. Numerous sources say that the new flag design was adopted on June 4, 1992 although there were sources that say that it was adopted a month later, on July 4, 1992.

:: Meaning of the Design and the Color of Kazakhstan Flag ::

The base color of the new republic’s flag was changed from red to sky blue. A golden sun, a golden gliding eagle and a traditional Kazakhstan emblem were the elements in the design of the new flag.

The national flag of Kazakhstan, with a size ratio of 1:2 has a sky blue field, almost duplicating the color of the vast and endless sky. It is a reflection of the Turkic religious beliefs, a color associated with the sky god, Tengri and a color that symbolizes the cultural and ethnic unity of the people of Kazakhstan. Present-day Kazakhstan has a population that is mainly composed of people of Turkic descent, including the Tatars, Mongols, Kazakhs, Uzbeks and Uyghurs. The blue color also represents water.

In the center of the blue field is a large golden orb that represents the sun. It is generally a representation of energy and as a source of life. In many cultures, the sun stands for abundance and wealth. The nomadic tribes of Kazakhstan use the sun’s movements to tell the time. Surrounding the golden sun are 32 small rays, which upon closer inspection resemble grains. For the Kazakhs these small rays or grains are the source of prosperity as well as sufficiency.

Underneath the golden sun is an image of a steppe eagle in flight, its wings wide open and surrounding the bottom half of the sun. The Kazakhs believe that the eagle symbolizes the power of their nation, their freedom and independence and their soaring flight into a better future.

Placed vertically on the hoist side of the flag is a golden traditional ornament, a symbol of the country’s traditions and culture. It is called the “horns of the ram,” which translates into Kazakh as koshkar-muiz.

:: References ::
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Kazakhstan
http://www.mapsofworld.com/flags/kazakhstan-flag.html
http://www.kazakhstandiscovery.com/kazakhstan-flag.html#axzz28x7mFHpz