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Seal of Russia
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 As
the state emblem a two-headed eagle first appeared in Russia
(at that time - the Kingdom of Moscovia) in the XV century.
It came from Byzantium with Sophia Paleolog, the niece of
Constantine XI, the last Byzantine Emperor, who became the
wife of Ivan III, the Grand Duke of Moscow.
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Going through some changes the two-headed eagle remained the
national emblem of the Russian State for more than four
hundred years. After the October Revolution of 1917 it was
replaced by the emblem of Soviet Russia consisting of a
hammer-and-sickle against the red background surrounded with
sunrays and framed in golden spikes of wheat, and the
inscriptions "Soviet Russia" and "Proletarians of All
Countries, Unite!".
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The
two-headed eagle regained its status of the national emblem
in accordance with the Presidential Decree of November 30,
1993. It was officially adopted by the Federal Law of
December 25, 2000.
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There are different interpretations of this symbol. The most
common version says that two heads of the eagle symbolize
two parts of the world (Europe and Asia) on which Russia is
situated, and their equal importance for the country.
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The
sceptre (originally - mace, a striking weapon) symbolizes
defense of sovereignty.
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The
orb (the sphere) is a symbol of unity, integrity of the
state.
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The
red (purple) color has traditionally been the Emperor's
color, the gold color symbolized eternity.
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The
three crowns (the third crown appeared on the emblem in
1625) originally were thought to symbolize the three great
khanates conquered by Russia - the Kazan, Astrakhan and
Siberian. Then they were interpreted as a symbol of the Holy
Trinity and later - as the unity of three nations - Russian,
Ukrainian and Byelorussian.
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The
shield with a knight portrayed on the eagle's chest is the
ancient emblem of Moscow. Since 1730, the knight has been
called Saint George, Bearer of Victory, Striking the Serpent,
symbolizing the fight of Good against Evil. At the same time
this symbol points out that Moscow is the heart of Russia.
State Flag
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 The
white-blue-red flag with three equal horizontal stripes was
approved by Peter the Great, who on January 20, 1705 ordered
to hoist it on all Russian trade vessels sailing on Moskva,
Volga and Dvina rivers.
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There are several explanations of the origin of the three
Russian colors. Many point out their likeness to the Dutch
tricolor; others remember the white, blue and red as the
colors most preferred in Russian folk clothes. The flag may
also be the offspring of the red, white and blue ensign
which Tsar Alexis, Peter the Great's father, designed for
his favorite ship the man-of-war "Orel" (Eagle), in the late
1660s.
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The
arrangement of the stripes has several interpretations. At
the time of Peter the Great it coincided with a cosmogony
concept: the earthly world of flesh spreading under the sky,
above which are the mystical Heavens. The white, blue and
red, regarded from top to bottom, also represented the three
cardinal virtues of Faith, Hope and Love. At the same time,
according to the Russian tradition, white color meant
nobility, blue - honesty, red - courage and love.
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From
the middle of the XIX century the three-color flag gradually
acquired the functions of the national symbol. Thus, in
1856, during the Paris Congress, while the peace treaty to
end the Crimea war was being negotiated, the white-blue-red
banner was used as the national flag of the Russian Empire.
At that time the tricolor was meant to symbolize the unity
of the three East Slavonic nations - Russian, Ukrainian and
Byelorussian.
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However, on June 11, 1858 Alexander II issued an order
proclaiming a black-yellow-white banner to be the Russian
national flag.
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The
matter was reconsidered by Alexander III, who in 1883
ordered, that "exclusively the Russian flag is to be used on
ceremonial occasions". And in 1896, on the eve of the
coronation of the last Russian Emperor Nikolai II the
white-blue-red banner gained an official status of the
state flag. The white stripe was meant to symbolize freedom
and independence, sky-blue was the color of Holy Mother that
protected Russia, and the red color was thought to be a
symbol of power and sovereignty.
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After the October Revolution of 1917 the Soviet Red Banner
replaced the Russian flag. The Russian Federation, as part
of the USSR, had its own flag, similar to the Soviet flag -
red with a thin blue vertical stripe, and a gold star,
hammer and sickle in the upper left corner.
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76
years later the old three-color flag returned as the
national flag of the Russian Federation. At first it was
adopted by the Presidential Decree of December 11, 1993.
Later the national flag was officially approved by the
Federal Law of December 25, 2000.
Anthem
Россия -
священная наша держава !
Россия - любимая наша страна !
Могучая воля, великая слава -
Твое достоянье на все времена.
Славься, Отечество наше свободное -
Братских народов союз вековой.
Предками данная мудрость народная.
Славься, страна ! Мы гордимся тобой !
От южных морей до полярного края
Раскинулись наши леса и поля.
Одна ты на свете ! Одна ты такая !
Хранимая Богом родная земля.
Припев
Широкий простор для мечты и для жизни,
Грядущие нам открывают года.
Нам силу дает наша верность Отчизне.
Так было, так есть и так будет всегда !
Припев
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