 | |
| Unitary Flag Blessed Banner | |
| Use | National flag |
|---|---|
| Proportion | 1:2 |
| Adopted | InCircassia: First forms of it accepted in early 1800s, standard version in 1830 |
| Design | Twelve golden stars resembling a bow charged with three golden arrows on a dark green background |
| Designed by | Seferbiy Zaneqo |
TheCircassian flag (Adyghe andKabardian:Адыгэ нып) is the national flag of theCircassians. It consists of agreen fieldcharged with twelvegoldstars, nine forming an arc resembling a bow and three horizontal, also charged with three crossedarrows in the center.[1]Seferbiy Zaneqo, a Circassian diplomat, is the designer of the flag.[2] Every year, April 25 is celebrated as the Circassian flag day by Circassians.[3][4][5] Another version of the flag is currently officially used by theRepublic of Adygea of theRussian Federation as its national flag.
The green represents the nature andIslam.[2] The golden colour represents a bright future in peace and the plentiful harvest of grain and wheat. There are twelve stars, representing the twelve provinces of Circassia.[6][1] There are three arrows, a reference toAdyghe Xabze in which they would mean "peace if you are my friend, war if you attack me".[2]
An invasion of Circassia by Russia started in 1763,[7] and since then, the Circassians have been fighting theRusso-Circassian War in defense of their territory.[8][9] TheTreaty of Adrianople was signed on 14 September 1829,[10] which stated that the Ottoman Empire recognized Circassia as Russian territory. Most Circassian leaders believed the treaty was a hoax, a strategy of the Russians, as they believed that the Ottoman Empire would never abandon the Circassians. It was decided to send a delegation to the Ottoman sultan to examine the accuracy of the news.[11]
Seferbiy Zaneqo was chosen as one of the delegates. Their mission was to meet with the Ottoman caliph to clarify the matter and receive a blessing. However, the Russian ambassador started pressuring the sultan to arrest them, and following this, the other delegates returned the Circassia while Zaneqo stayed.[11]
During this time, Zaneqo was injured during a demonstration against Russian Imperialism, and was hospitalised. When a Circassian man, Muhammad Selkhur, visited him, Zaneqo presented a folded paper, and clarified that it is a prototype for a Circassian unity flag, and that during his long hospitalization, he thought considerably about a symbol for the Circassian unity and he concluded on the contents of the paper. He explained that he took inspiration from previous Circassian symbols, and that each of the twelve stars represents a Circassian tribe and they are all equally represented without prejudice. As to the crossed arrows they represent that the Circassians do not seek war, but will defend themselves when attacked. A Circassian woman from the Ottoman harem knitted the flag and sent it to Circassia.[2][12]
Seferbiy viewed the Circassian flag as a symbol suited to the Circassians' historical context and distributed copies to his allies. In one case, his twin-masted ship was destroyed by a Russian detachment in January 1838, however the Circassians successfully transported the flag and gunpowder to the village of Wostighay, whereHawduqo Mansur [tr] lived.
David Urquhart self-proclaimed to be the designer of the flag, but there is no discovered evidence for his claims.[13] Seferbiy's father's cousin was related to Prince Hatokhshoqo Hamirza, relative to Kabardian GrandprinceJankhot Kushuk, and thus knew the arrow and star design from the Kabardian coat of arms. The flag's origin traces back to the coat of arms, indicating its design stemmed from local efforts rather than external influences. In a speech in Britain, Urquhart described the flag's elements independently of Circassian culture, revealing his lack of knowledge about their origin and meaning.[14][15][16]
In 1836, the first copy of the flag was hand-delivered by the British delegateJames Stanislaus Bell to Nour Muhammad Haghur in the Gesh Valley (in present-daySochi). A council was held in the Psefabe Valley where representatives of the Circassian tribes met, in which the flag was presented and accepted.[2] The flag was then flown byKhirtsizhiqo Ale to cheers from Circassian commanders and a multitude of people.[12][17]
The Circassian people used this design ever since it was first adopted, including in theRusso-Circassian War. The flag is seen as one of the symbols of the Circassian nation by Circassians worldwide as well as one of the symbols ofCircassian nationalism. This flag was also used by Circassians in theCircassian diaspora serving in several positions.
While the flag always survived among theCircassian diaspora, it lost its popularity in the Caucasus as a result of censorship during theRussian Empire and theSoviet Union, until it was repopularized by Ibrahim Nawurjan in 1989. Nawurjan, a history student at theKabardino-Balkarian State University, discovered Edmund Spencer's book in the archives and resurrected the flag by painting it according to the description in the book. The flag was then adopted as a symbol of theNalchik Circassian association. Nawurjan, a ferventSpartak Nalchik fan, helped popularize it among Spartak Nalchik supporters, and it later became popular among Circassians in the Caucasus again. On August 25, Nawurjan was killed on the Mamdzishha hill during theAbkhazian War, in which he voluntarily participated.[18] A historical surviving copy of the flag was later discovered, and compared to Nawurjan's design as well as designs in the diaspora, with all designs being identical in essence.
TheRepublic of Adygea adopted the present-day flag in a law of March 24, 1992. The proportions are 1:2.
The Circassian flag was used in various local variants at the same time from the 1830s until the end of the war. While the 12-star version was the standard version, local designs with 8, 9, 10, and 11 stars were also recorded. White, black, and yellow were used for the arrows and stars, with different shades of green for the background.[19][20][21] John Longworth described a variant of the Circassian flag featuring white arrows and stars set against a green background in 1837.[20]
| Flag | Date | Adopting Government | Descriptions |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 17th c.–1810 | High Princedom of Kabardia | The coat of arms used byKabardia. The whitecrescent representsIslam. The three stars represent eternity, dynasty and ideals. The arrows representcombat power andself-defense. |
 | 18th c.–1805 | High Princedom of Kabardia | First recorded version of the green banner, used as the unitary flag ofEast Circassia. It is recorded as "the flag of the Kabardian people" in Russian sources. The design is imported from the coat of arms. The three stars on the banner represent the three regions of Kabardia:Baksan, andKashkhatau fractions and Lesser Kabardia. In 1805, the banner was captured by Russian troops under the command of General Glazenap during a battle near theBaksan River.[22] |
 | 1809–1822 | High Princedom of Kabardia | The yellow and white part is removed. This version was used by Grand PrinceJankhot Kushuk and the spear it was attached to had Prince Jankhot’s tamga ( ) at its tip.[22] |
 | 1830–1864 | Circassia (Circassian Majlis) | Designed by Seferbiy Zaneqo, it was used as the flag of Circassia since 1830,[23] and was officially adopted by theCircassian Majlis in 1861. The green represents the nature andIslam. There are twelve stars, representing the twelve provinces of Circassia. The black is preserved for the arrows but the stars are golden. The arrows represent that the Circassians do not seek war, but will defend themselves when attacked. Removed after the fall of Circassia in 1864 following theBattle of Qbaada. |
.svg) | 1836 | Circassia |  The Deliberti "The Liberty" flag sent by David Urquhart to the Shapsug, Natukhaj, and Abzakh in June 1836. 3 pieces were sent in total. According to Urquhart, the flags were sent byWilliam IV.[24] |
.jpg) | 1837 | Circassia | This version was drawn by Spencer, English traveler in Circassia. During the spread of the Circassian flag, it was drawn according to the available materials or different situations, so it appeared in different colors, stars and arrows but it kept its shape.[19] |
 | ?–1837 | Circassia (Hawduqo Mansur [tr]) | A variant of the Circassian flag. On February 3, 1837, an assembly was held in Adagum, including John Longworth,James Bell, and a total of 1000–1500 participants. The leader of the assembly wasHawduqo Mansur [tr]. This flag was thestandard of Mansur and used at the center of the assembly.[25][26] |
.svg) | ?– 1840 | Circassia | A variant of the Circassian flag. It was captured fromNatukhajs by Russian troops during the Circassian assault on the Abinsk Fortress on May 26, 1840.[27][28][29] |
.svg) | 24 March 1992 – 7 June 2007 | State Council of the Republic of Adygea | First flag of theRepublic of Adygea. The design was based on the flag of Circassia, but the colours and measurements were significantly different. The wartime flag is replaced with the peacetime flag; therefore black representing fight against Russian invasion was completely removed and replaced with a golden colour, while the stars were lifted higher. The golden colour was re-purposed to represent harvest of wheat. |
 | 7 June 2007–Current | State Council of the Republic of Adygea | Current flag of theRepublic of Adygea, adopted in 2007. The measurements are closer to the original Circassian flag. |
| 1864–Current | None | The variant of the flag used in theCircassian diaspora. |
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The flag culture had a wide and important usage among the Circassians.[30] As far as known that since theEarly Middle Ages, flags bearing thetamgas of influential or aristocratic dynasties have been in use.[31] The tamgas on the flags were usually sewn with golden silk. In addition to those used in battle and during marching, flags were also used for sports, weddings, religious rituals, graves, ceremonies, and to signal from a distance.[30][31]
Each military unit within a Circassian army carried its own banner, which belonged to its commander. The main army flag was that of the supreme commander and was carried by a designatedstandard-bearer, who remained close to the leader during battle. Orders were signaled through specific flag movements, each signaling a different command. Due to the chaos of battle, some units were unable to perceive flag signals, so instruments such as the types of horns or drums were used to convey commands.[32]
Two main types of banners were used in battles:clan banners, marked withtamgas representing noble families, andtribal banners, representing broader tribes. Clan banners were used by aristocratic units, while tribal banners were carried by commoner-led units. If a campaign was initiated by a public assembly, the tribal banner of the leader served as the main army flag.[32]
In Circassian aristocratic tribes, only the lower-ranked nobles could bestandard-bearers (Adyghe:бэракъыхь, бэракъзехъэ;Kabardian:сэнджакъщIэт) of the princes they served, a hereditary wartime role held by certain lower-ranked noble families. For example, the duty of being the standard-bearer of the Cherchan princes of theBzhedugs belonged to the Hakuy family.[30] In democratic tribes, standard-bearers were elected based only on merit. In both systems, standard-bearers has to be bravest ones, as they were expected to be alongside the commander at the front lines.[32]
Once a respected figure among the Shapsugs, Mustafa Muk lost his reputation after retreating with the banner during the assault on the Golovinsky fortress in 1844 while leading the people's assembly. His act was seen as cowardly and traitorous, causing him to lose all his former status and become the subject of a mocking folk song composed specifically about him.[33]
When an important warrior died on a battlefield, a colorful banner with their family’s tamga was placed on top of the burial mound as grave made for them.[33] According to the Caucasus historianVasily Potto, many grave flags were raised on tall poles in cemeteries near warrior villages.[34]
During the Adagum Assembly in 1837, each leader and their group stood at the assembly under their own banner.[26] It indicates that this is how banners were traditionally used at assemblies.[25] People's Assembly of Adagum was an administrative unit, especially among the Natukhaj, Shapsugh, Abzakh and Ubykh, until the reign ofMuhammad Emin.[35] In March 1840, during theSiege of Mikhailovsky, Russian cadet Iosis Miroslavsky noted that the Circassians used red victory banners.[36] In April 1840, it was decided at a meeting near the Ubin River that each river-based area (psukh) would send 15 cavalrymen to campaigns and battles. Each cavalry unit joined the battle under a flag that was representing its own river-based community.[30] During the Circassian assault on the Abinsk Fortress on May 26, 1840, Russian forces captured three tribal banners; two belonging to the Natukhaj and one to the Shapsug.[32] Russian commanders in this battle preserved the flags they captured from the Circassians, unlike other flags.[37]
In wedding flags, the tamgas of the bride’s and groom’s families were displayed, hers on the left and his on the right, reflecting their traditional positions in the wedding. During wedding ceremonies a popular equestrian game involved riders chasing a flag-bearer to seize a bordered flag. In a competition game recorded byJames Bell, riders try to take a white flag that has symbols on it from the rider who carries it.[38] The same game appeared in ceremonies marking the return of an aristocratic child from his educator, using a green based flag. In one variation, the goal was to capture a fabricless flag made from hazelnut.[39]
In the Kabardian andAbazin "return from plowing" festival (Kabardian:вакӏуэ ихьэж), another white flag (calledвакӏуэ бэракъ) symbolizing nature’s rebirth is raised on a 3–5 meter pole. Its raising marks the end of fieldwork and the start of a communal feast. Led by an appointed chief, the celebrations continue and competitions begins in the village after the white flag is placed in the courtyard of a preselected house.[40][39]
Following the death of an important person, a black flag was traditionally hoisted on a tall pole above their family's house for three days as a sign of mourning, so that passersby would stop by to offer their condolences.[41][33] A black flag was also placed at the entrance of a home affected byplague orcholera to warn passersby and help prevent the spread of disease.[41] When a child was born, a flag was placed on the house roof or fence.[39]
Since the Kabardian region came under Russian influence and rule earlier, most of the banners of prominent aristocratic dynasties were recorded in Russian sources. Although the existence of the banners of Western Circassian aristocrats are recorded,[42] their specific descriptions were either never recorded or have not yet been compiled from any archival sources.[30]
| Flag | Date | Adopting Government | Descriptions |
|---|---|---|---|
 | ?–1517 | Mamluk Sultanate | The banner was a luxurious yellow silk atlas with embroidery and a metallic golden crescent, used by theCircassian Mamluk rulers.[43] On October 16, 1517, it was taken down from the citadel ofDamascus and replaced with a Ottoman red flag, symbolizing the transfer of authority.[43] |
 | 16th c. | Zichia | The banner attributed toZichia in aPortolan chart "Eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea, HM 35. João Freire, Portolan Atlas, Portugal (?), 1546." According tohistory researcher Zhiraslan Kagazezhev, the brown section at the top may represent the land and the hills, while the blue section at the bottom may symbolize the sea, possibly signifying dominance over both land and sea.[44] |
 | 1641 | Coalition of Lesser Kabardia | The Lesser Kabardian coalition banner used by the Sholokh (from Talostan) and Mudar (from Jilakhstaney) principalities in the Battle of Malka in 1641.[22] |
 | 17th c. | Principality of Talostan | Banner of the Lesser Kabardian princelyHouse of Talostan Principality. The banner was used during the Battle of Malka in 1641.[22] |
 | 17th c. | Lesser Kabardia (Jilakhstaney) | Flag of the Lesser Kabardia (Jilakhstaney) with the tamga's of Mudar and Akhle families. The banner was used during the Battle of Malka in 1641.[22] |
 | 18th c. | Principality of Hatokhshoqo | Banner of the Greater Kabardian princely House of the Hatokhshoqo (Atajuqo) Principality. At the tip of the spear to which it was attached, there was the 4th tamga of the family. The banner was captured by Russian troops in a battle near the Mount Kanzhal in the 18th century.[22] |
 | 18th c. | Principality of Misost | Banner of the Greater Kabardian princely House of the Misost Principality. At the tip of the spear holding the banner, there are the second tamga made from iron of the Misost family. In the second half of the 18th century, the banner was captured by Russian troops during the defeat of the Crimean Khan's headquarters inBakhchisarai.[22] |
 | 18th c. | Principality of Qeytuqo | Banner of the Greater Kabardian princely House of the Qeytuqo Principality. In the second half of the 18th century, the banner was seized by Russian troops during the defeat of the Crimean Khan's headquarters in Bakhchisarai. Tamgas or other symbols were usually not used on yellow and white fabric because these symbols were mostly sewn with gold thread. That’s why Qeytuqo Banner has no symbols. However the tip of the spear it was attached to had the Qeytuqotamga ( ) made of iron.[22] |
 | 18th c. | Kundetey | Banner of the first-rank noble House of Kundet (Kudenet) in Greater Kabardia.Vassal to the Hatokhshoqo Principality. In 1797, the banner was captured by General Fabritsian’s unit during a battle near the Konstantingorsk Fortress.[22] |
 | 19th c. | Principality of Bekmirza | Banner of the Greater Kabardian princely House of the Bekmirza Principality. The daggers without sheaths on the banner are sewn with gold. At the tip of the spear holding the banner, there was an iron tamga of the Bekmirza family. The banner was captured by Yermolov's Russian troops in 1822.[22] |
 | 19th c. | Principality of Mudar | Banner of the Lesser Kabardian princely House of the Mudar Principality. In 1816, the banner was captured by Russian troops during a battle near theTerek River.[22] |
 | 19th c. | Principality of Akhle | Banner of the Lesser Kabardian princely House of Akhle (or Alkho). The banner was used by the Lesser Kabardian cavalry detachment and fought against the French nearMozhaysk in 1812 duringNapoleon’s invasion of Russia.[22] |
 | 19th c. | Tambiy's | Banner of the first-rank noble House of Tambiy in Greater Kabardia.Vassal to the Misost Principality. It was captured by Russian troops during the 1834 raid on the village of Tambiy, which was located on the banks of theKuban River.[22] |
 | 19th c. | Anzorey | Banner of the Lesser Kabardian nobleMuhammad-Mirza Anzor. Vassal to the Talostan Principality. In 1849, the banner was captured during a Russian assault on the village of Gekhi in Lesser Chechnya.[22] |
 | ?–19th c. | Abay's | Banner of the Lesser Kabardian first-rank noble House of Abay. Vassal to the Jilakhstaney.[23] |
 | ?–19th c. | Astemirey | Banner of the Lesser Kabardian first-rank noble House of Astemir. Vassal to the Jilakhstaney, later to Bekovich-Cherkassky.[23] |
 | ?–19th c. | Azepshey | Banner of the Lesser Kabardian first-rank noble House of Azepsh. Vassal to the Jilakhstaney.[23] |
 | ?–19th c. | Bezroquey | Banner of the Lesser Kabardian first-rank noble House of Bezroqo.[23] |
 | ?–19th c. | Botashey | Banner of the Lesser Kabardian first-rank noble House of Botash ofBalkar origin. Vassal to the Talostan Principality.[23] |
 | ?–19th c. | Yislamey | Banner of the Lesser Kabardian first-rank noble House of Islam (Yislam). Vassal to the Akhle Principality.[23] |
 | ?–19th c. | Yindarey | Banner of the Lesser Kabardian first-rank noble House of Indar (Yindar). Vassal to the Jilakhstaney.[23] |
 | ?–19th c. | Yinaroquey | Banner of the Lesser Kabardian first-rank noble House of Inaroqo (Yinaroqo). Vassal to the Jilakhstaney.[23] |
 | ?–19th c. | Haptsey | Banner of the Lesser Kabardian first-rank noble House of Hapts.[23] |
 | ?–19th c. | Makhsid's | Banner of the Lesser Kabardian fourth-rank noble House of Makhsid.[23] |
 | 19th c. | Murtazey | Banner of the Lesser Kabardian second-rank noble House of Murtaza. Vassal to the Talostan Principality. The banner was captured by Yermolov's Russian troops in 1822.[22] |
 | 19th c. | Kabardia (Russian occupation) | A flag of Kabardia under the Russian occupation recorded by Mustafa Mahir Efendi in 1865.[45] The flag appears inWojciech Kossak's paintings[46] and in a French illustration from 1877.[47] |
.png) | 1848–1859 | Circassia | "The flag of theprophet" described byKarl Marx. "The flag itself is green and has a white sword with acrescent and a star on it." This flag was the standard ofMuhammad Amin and was widely recognized[48] in Western Circassia. Circassian leaders pledged their allegiance to Muhammad Amin in front of this banner.[49] The famous WesternBzhedug prince Hadjemuqo Alkhas also used a similar flag.[48] |
 | ?–1860 | Natukhaj | A flag of theNatukhajs, measuring 1 × 1.4 meters, made ofwild silk fabric, captured by Russian troops in 1840.[27][50][51] It is a replica of theFrench flag. Above the center, on a black rectangular badge, the name "Muhammad" added on it with golden silk, representing the Islamic prophetMuhammad. The badge featureshexagrams ( ) positioned at the corners. On the central white field, it bears an inscription in Arabic script reading "Tamyk El Hadj Bakiy" or "Timyk Khatzkh Tsuk Hadj", believed to refer to the Natukhaj leader who used the flag during the war. Captured together with the Shapsug flag on the same day, it was placed in the Military-Historical Museum in Tblisi in 1865. It was later returned in 1925 to theAAO, and today the flag is held in theAdyghe National Museum [ru].[51] |
 | ?–1864 | Shapsugia | The flag of theShapsug region, also known as the "Kizbech flag",[52] was created as a unifying banner of the Shapsugs during theRusso-Circassian War.[27][29][37] According to oral tradition, commanders Alcheri Planoqo, Nautsuk Zhane, andTughuzhuqo Kizbech contributed to its design.[37] It was captured by Russian troops in 1840 during the attack on Abinsk Fortress and returned in 1926 fromTbilisi to theAdyghe Autonomous Oblast through the efforts of ChairmanShahancheri Hakurate [ru]. Its return was celebrated inAfipsip with three days of festivals. In 1936, it was placed in theAdyghe National Museum [ru].[37] |
 | 19th c. | Natukhajs | A flag of the Natukhajs, measuring 24 × 30 centimeters. Located in theHermitage Museum inSaint Petersburg.[53] |
 | 19th c. | Shapsugs | A flag of the Shapsugs. Colors not specified. |
 | 6 March 1917 – 30 November 1922 | Congress of the North Caucasian Peoples | Flag of theMountainous Republic of the Northern Caucasus. The seven stars represent the Caucasian people and the stripes represent harmony. |
Color scheme | Green | Gold |
|---|---|---|
| RAL | 6002 | 1026 |
| CMYK | 61-0-82-39 | 0-0-99-1 |
| HEX | #296912 | #FDFC02 |
| RGB | 41-105-18 | 253-252-2 |
.jpg)
[...] Urquhart claims to have met fifteen tribal leaders and nearly two hundred village chiefs, designed the Circassian flag, and helped them draft a petition to London for assistance.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)Following this large (Turkish) banner were five other smaller banners, belonging to the five ruling Transkuban princes. За этим большим знаменем следовали пять других знамен меньших размеров, принадлежащие пяти владетельным закубанским князьям.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)