Assyrian flag

The Assyrian flag (Syriac: ܐܬܐ ܕܐܬܘܪ, "Ata D'Atoor") is the flag that universally represents the Assyrian nation in the homeland and in the diaspora. George Atanos first designed the flag in 1968. The Assyrian Universal Alliance, Assyrian National Federation and Bet-Nahrain Democratic Party all adopted it in 1971. It consists of a golden circle at the center that represents the sun, which, by its exploding and leaping flames, generates heat and light to sustain the earth and all its living things. Known for being an extreme nationalist, Bet-Nahrain's party also added the ancient Assyrian God Ashur. The four pointed star surrounding the sun symbolizes the land, its light blue color symbolizing tranquility.

The wavy stripes extending from the center to the four corners of the flag represent the three major rivers of the Assyrian homeland: the Tigris, the Euphrates, and the Great Zab. The lines are small at the center and become wider as they spread out from the circle. The dark blue represents the Euphrates. The Assyrian name for the river, "Frot" or "Prat", means "abundance". The red stripes, whose blood red hue stands for courage, glory and pride, represent the Tigris. The white lines in between the two great rivers symbolizes the Great Zab; its white color stands for tranquility and peace. Some interpret the red, white and blue stripes as the highways that will take the scattered Assyrians back to their ancestral homeland.

Previous Flags

Prior to World War I, the Assyrian flag consisted of 3 layers of salmon, white, and red. On the top left of the first layer, 3 white stars represented the three main Churches of the Assyrian people: Church of the East, Chaldean Catholic Church, and Syriac Orthodox Church (it is also used by members of the Syriac Catholic Church).This flag was used during [http://www.bethsuryoyo.com/images/GalleryPics/AssyrianDelegationUN/UnDeleg1.html delegation meetings] with Assyrian politicians and Western powers during and post World War I. The flag was used until the current design was established. The flag was created by the Syriac Orthodox community of Tur Abdin.Fact|date=September 2007

Between 1915 and 1923, the Assyrian army used a flag that resembled the flag of Switzerland. It consisted of a red background, indicating the blood spilled by the Assyrians prior to and during World War I, and a white cross. The top left corner contained a round seal, which was Agha Petros's personal stamp. The seal had his name on it in two languages (Assyrian and Russian).

Assyrian symbols throughout history

External links

* [http://www.aina.org/aol/flag.htm Assyrian International News Agency (AINA)]
* [http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/assyria.html Assyrian flag at Flags of the World]
* [http://www.aua.net/assyrian_flag.htm The Origins and Description of the Assyrian Flag]