Adyg activists call Circassian Flag symbol of Adygs’ unity

Today, residents of Adygea, the Kabardino-Balkarian and Karachay-Cherkessian Republics (KBR and KChR) have celebrated The Day of Circassian Flag with marches, motor rallies and participation in dance games “Adyge Jagu”.

The Day of Circassian Flag is celebrated by Adygs around the world on April 25. The Circassian Flag is one of the main symbols of the Adyg (Circassian) nation. It is a green rectangular field, on which three crossed golden arrows and 12 golden stars are depicted.

The symbolism of the Circassian Flag was explained in a conversation with the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent by Barasbi Bgazhnokov, Doctor of Historical Sciences and an employee of the KBR’s Institute of Humanitarian Studies.

"It is believed that 12 stars on the flag symbolize 12 Circassian tribes, but this is not true. In fact, in the early 19^th century, there were more than 20 such tribes, but by the end of the Caucasian War they were less than 12. The idea was to use this symbol: 12 parts of the whole. The Circassian language has an idiom: 12 parts of the whole body, that is, there is a whole, consisting of 12 parts; thus, 12 has a symbolic, not literal, meaning," said Doctor Bgazhnokov.

He stressed that the arrows depicted on the flag "symbolize peace, not war." "Three arrows are a symbol of peace, not war. When a Circassian went to the reception, paid a visit, or went to a wedding, he was armed, but he took three arrows in such cases. But when a Circassian went to a battle or a fight, he took 30 arrows," said Barasbi Bgazhnokov.

Adyg activists from Moscow, KChR and KBR noted in the conversation with the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that "Circassians need the today's celebration."

"The Day of Circassian Flag is important not only for the Circassians living in Russia, in the Caucasus, but also for the Circassians all over the world. It has a unifying function," Amar Zhuzhuev, an activist, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.