HISTORICAL BACKGROUND MILITARY SYMBOLS OF UKRAINE: THE TWENTIETH CENTURY

Abstract

Military symbols of Ukraine rightfully became the subject of attention of historical science, becouse it has its own very rich historitory and tradition. The degree of development of military symbolism scientific topics and its source base proved insufficient and fragmented study the problem of the formation and development of military symbols of Ukraine , which further confirms its relevance.

In historical science confirmed the view that symbolism in one form or another form appears at the peniaeb of the emergence of stable social groups. One of the brightest pages of national history is the Scythian period. Researchers touched one another on symbolism troops Scythians. Their works can show scattered descriptions of folk customs and traditions, formed the basis of the Scythian military symbols.

Scythian army attributes were intended to symbolize the position of military officers in the military organization.

The symbol of the various levels of government were specific headwear, pectoral or rate, precious axes, maces and shestoper. The main axes could be a sign of power or sticks commanders. Clubs and shestoper played sacral and representativerole. They were a symbol of high social status of their owners. At the Scythians brought the sword oath. Scythian military badges on long poles were used to control the units in battle.

So, the Scythians used in its military activities symbolism, based on their perception of the construction world.

Actually most characters are taken from the life of the Scythians and inscribed in the traditions and customs. They havefunctional character.

Use symbols to denote troops observe in times ancient. Increasing the number of sources, both written and archaeological, allow you to more fully reflect the symbolism reconstruct this historical period. At its core lay princely signs that they did in the arms, flag, stamps, Pasach, pendants men, pottery, household items stock, minted on coins and more. Princely characters played the role of individual characters of a particular ruler , and at the same time, tribal representatives dynasty emblems, signs of ownership, and in a sense – and attribute authority or government emblems.

At the military symbolism of Ancient important place was given to the flag. Military flags in IX-th century performed a number of important functions. They were used primarily as symbols: the rule of the country , capture the fortress or city, location commander. Flags were of great importance in all phases of military operations.

Further development of the Ukrainian symbolism associated with the period of stay of the former territory of ancient in the Grand Duchy Lytovment and the Kingdom of Poland and later – under the authority of the united Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth-Commonwealth. No wonder the mid XIV century development of Ukrainian symbolism underwent major influences Lithuanian and Polish heraldic traditions.

A new stage in the development of Ukrainian military symbolism is closely linked with the emergence of the Cossacks and his military and political organization – Zaporizhzhya Sich national liberation struggle of the Ukrainian people and the emergence of Cossack state in the middle of the XVII century. By Cossack watches kleynod, it characters troops belonging to the regimental flags and Centesimal icons hetman horsetail, military music – drums and attributes of power Cossack – mace captains, colonels pernachi, canes military judges, clerks ink.

Among the Cossack watches kleynod prominently occupied with military flags. Prapornytstvo of the Zaporizhzhya and Zaporizhzhya Sich was difficult path of evolution. Originally symbolism of flags was the basis of heraldic symbols of the Polish- Lithuanian Commonwealth – Commonwealth. Later, the Russian Cossack banners appea, Austrian, Turkish state symbols. Only after the final transition of Ukrainian Cossacks under Russian rule in the eighteenth century developed a mostly well-established symbols of flags.

Thus , it should be noted that the symbols of Ukrainian Cossacks objectively dependent on socio-political processes taking place in the territory of contemporary Ukraine. It is closely linked to the cultural traditions and religious preferences of Ukrainian Cossacks and people in general, basically reflecting the traditions of Orthodoxy.

The need for a revived Ukrainian symbolism emerged during the national liberation revolution of 1917-1918. Have three stages process of elaboration and development of civil and military symbols. The first – period Tsentralnoyi Rady from 20 November in 1917 to 29 April 1918. This time changes in military form are minor. The second stages – Hetmanat P. Skoropadskoho period from 29 April to 14 December 1918 was work major efforts to create a uniform for Ukrainians army.

This period was actually processed awarding system Ukrainian state. In the third period – the period Directoria ( end of 1918– 1920) Main characteristic of this period is the elaboration and implementation of military awards military flags military units.

During the domination of the Soviet Ukraine, actually for Ukrainian national character symbolism in general, and the military in particular, have evolved abroad. First, in the camps of the army soldiers interned Ukrainian People's Republic and later in areas where Ukrainian in exile. On the territory of Ukraine, which was under the rule of the Soviets, was devoid of symbols of national colors.

Another period of Ukrainian military symbolism falls on the Second World War. In 1938 appears Carpathian Ukraine and its military force Carpathian Sich. The system of military symbolism Ukraine story symbolism of the military establishment is as important as providing an explanation of the origin and traditions of the use of such elements as the Ukrainian military costume hat mazepynka, cotillion and others. Also during World War II and until 1956 operated Ukrainian Insurgent Army. The basis of its symbolism was taken trident symbol as the emblem of the state and the yellow- blue armbands flag colors, ie symbols of Ukrainian statehood. However, the colors of the flag of the army were red and black. These colors were the basis of awards UPA.

Since the beginning of the formation of the Ukrainian state in the late twentieth century views of leading politicians and public figures in question implement state symbols based on historical traditions. Creation of an independent Ukraine military symbols occurred during the complex process of state and military construction. It should be noted that the basis for the elaboration of the symbolism of the Armed Forces and other military formations Ukraine undertook classical laws of heraldry, special historical disciplines, the best examples of the past, which corresponded to the ancient roots of the Ukrainian people.