Last modified: 2003-09-27 by
Keywords: navy | ensign | jack | fortress flag | pennant | first commander | broad pennant |
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The Order of St. Andrew, instituted by Tsar Peter I in 1699 to honor the patron of Russia was reflected in numerous flags apparently designed by the Tsar himself. The two bottom flags in the manuscript print (left [in the book]) date from that year. The blue saltire on white of both is the reverse of the Scottish version of the St. Andrew's cross. The Russian jack shows this saltire against a red field bearing a white cross: the resemblance to the British Union Jack may have been intentional.
Wayne J. Lovett, 24 Aug 2000, quoting from [smi75c]
Stern flag [i.e. ensign] (1710-1712)
Zeljko Heimer, 06 Apr 1999, quoting from Flag-znamya korablya, Russian Navy website, consulted 07 Mar 1999
Stern Andrew’s flag [i.e. St. Andrew’s ensign] (1712-1917), (1992-today)
Zeljko Heimer, 06 Apr 1999, quoting from Flag-znamya korablya, Russian Navy website, consulted 07 Mar 1999
According to [zig94], both flags [ensign and jack] were drawn by Peter the Great:
«The military poop flag is white, with a full-sized blue cross of St.Andrew, because the Christianity became to Russian people from this apostle», explained Peter the Great in 1712.Giuseppe Bottasini
Symbolism of Andreevsky Flag was also Peter's contribution to his father — tsar Alexei Mikhailovich who instituted the special flag - dark red two-headed eagle on white-blue-red cloth — for the first military Russian vessel — three-mast galiot Eagle.
Edward Mooney, 14 Mar 1999, quoting from Russian Navy website
Jack and fortress flag (1700-1917), (1992-today)
Zeljko Heimer, 06 Apr 1999, quoting from Flag-znamya korablya, Russian Navy website, consulted 07 Mar 1999
Like the UK's Union Jack incorporates the red St. George's cross of England as the central figure, the Russian jack uses their blue St. Andrew's cross (from the naval ensign) as its central figure. St. Andrew is also the patron saint of Russia.
David Lewellen
This flag was hoisted since 1701 on the navy's fortresses, since 1720 on bowsprits too. It was a red flag crossed by a narrow white cross; over all there was a white-bordered blue St.Andrew cross. It was drawn by Peter the Great. It was named Kejzer-flag, i.e. "imperial flag". It was clearly based on the British "Union" and put together the white cross of an old Dragons' flag with the navy's St.Andrew flag. The KEJZER-FLAG was so popular that it was also used on the Soviet Navy till 1924.
Giuseppe Bottasini, quoting [zig94]
According to many authors the meaning of the red field is obscure, but to Ziggioto is clear: it was the third national color.
Giuseppe Bottasini
Pennant (1732-1765 and 1797-1865)
Zeljko Heimer, 06 Apr 1999, quoting from Flag-znamya korablya, Russian Navy website, consulted 07 Mar 1999
Pennant (1732-1865 and 1865-1917)
Zeljko Heimer, 06 Apr 1999, quoting from Flag-znamya korablya, Russian Navy website, consulted 07 Mar 1999
Pennant (1743-1865)
Zeljko Heimer, 06 Apr 1999, quoting from Flag-znamya korablya, Russian Navy website, consulted 07 Mar 1999
Broad-pennant of the first commander [?]
Zeljko Heimer, 06 Apr 1999, quoting from Flag-znamya korablya, Russian Navy website, consulted 07 Mar 1999