Last modified: 2003-01-18 by dov gutterman
Keywords: lithuania |
Links: FOTW homepage |
search |
disclaimer and copyright |
write us |
mirrors
See also:
The following material represents a synopsis of the history of
Lithuanian flags:
Not much is known about Lithuanian flags prior to the 1200's. The
earliest available records talk about "yellow Gediminas
towers" on a "red field. This is a clear reference to
King Gediminas of Lithuania who ruled from 1316 to 1341. The
earliest described Lithuanian flag contains a block shaped
outline of the Voruta castle, home of King Gediminas during his
reign. Of interest however is that archeological diggings have
unearthed Lithuanian bracteate's dating from King Mindaugas'es
reign (1234 - 1263) in Gotland and elsewhere showing the same
outline on the coins as is attributed to King Mindaugases flags.
The earliest known mention of Lithuanian flags is in the
"Chronicon Dubicense"; it cites an "insignia
Lithwanorium" in the text but does not go on to describe it.
Logic would state that it must have been one of the "towers
of Gediminas". Ample documentation exists regarding the
Lithuanian flags which participated in the Tannenberg battle of
1410 against the Teutonic Knights. Lithuanian units from the
Aukstaitija province flew the red and yellow towers of Gediminas.
Aside from the towers of Gediminas (also called gates of
Gediminas), which now are identified with all things Lithuania,
there are two other "national" symbols which have
adorned Lithuanian flags since the early Middle Ages - the
Apostolic cross and the Vytis.
The Apostolic cross was introduced by King Jogiella (1377 - 1398)
who made the cross an integral part of the Gediminian royal
houses coat-of-arms. The choice of this particular symbol was a
masterpiece of diplomacy by King Jogiella. The King knew that a
"pagan" Lithuania would be no match against her many
enemies. By marrying into the Polish royal family, he also
adopted Christianity for Lithuania. This would then prevent any
future "crusades" from being undertaken against
Lithuania. As the Lithuanian kingdom was located in both
"eastern" and "western" Europe and as the
Apostolic cross was accepted as a "Christian" cross by
both Constantinople and Rome, King Jogiella could not have
selected a better symbol for the Lithuanian royal household. The
Apostolic cross thus quickly made it on to Lithuanian flags and
banners. Any battles the Lithuanian's would from then on conduct
in the defense of their realm would be against the people of the
enemy nation - not against the Christian beliefs of their
enemies.
From the available records of the Tannenberg battle of 1410, four
Lithuanian flags are described as carrying the Apostolic cross.
They were: King Jogiella's personal banner (1&4 quarter -
blue field, white Vytis; 2&3 quarter - red field white cross)
King Jogiella's personal household troop banner. (1&4 quarter
- red field, white Vytis; 2&3 quarter - blue field yellow
cross) The Lithuanian Kremenec infantry battalion. (red field,
white cross) The Lithuanian Samogitia infantry battalion. (red
field, green hill holding a white cross) .King Jogiella also
introduced a second symbol in to Lithuanian history - the Vytis.
The Vytis, which means "hero" (in German