What does the St. George ribbon symbolize?

In the countries of the former USSR there is an annual tradition during the celebration of Victory Day to pin a black and orange ribbon. Ribbons that are distributed in public places allow everyone to feel involved in this important event. But few people know how this ribbon appeared - "St. George". This is what our article will tell you about.

Where did it come from and why is it called that?

The St. George ribbon appeared under Catherine II along with the Order of St. George - the highest military award of the Russian Empire. The order was established at November 26, 1769 during the Russian-Turkish war to reward officers for their courage and loyalty to the Russian Empire . Ober-chamberlain Count Litta wrote in 1833: "the immortal legislator, who established this order, believed that his ribbon combines the color of gunpowder and the color of fire."

What colors are there?

In 1769, the tape had only three black and two orange stripes.

In the Soviet awards of the times of the Great Patriotic War and after it there was a moire ribbon made of silk with equal longitudinal stripes - three black, two orange. And along the edges was a narrow orange border.

In 1992, the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation on the restoration of the St. George Cross as a reward was issued , and the ribbon for the location of the stripes and color combination was supposed to return to the original version.

Why is it considered a symbol of victory?

After the revolution of 1917 and the overthrow of the monarchy, the entire award system was abolished, including the Order of St. George. But it continued to be used in the White Army and emigrant circles.

The St. George ribbon - now called the Guards - returned to our country during the years of the Great Patriotic War, when guards were established in the Red Army, following the example of those that once existed in the army of the Russian Empire.

Then this ribbon appeared on some Soviet award combat and anniversary badges of the military and post-war periods:

  • medals “For the victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945”;
  • Order of Glory;
  • medals "For the capture of Berlin";
  • medals “Thirty Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War”;
  • medals “Forty Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War” and others.

Modern symbols of St. George ribbon

The public event on the distribution of tapes on Victory Day has been held since 2005 with the money of public, commercial organizations and the state budget. In 2008, it was picked up by more than thirty countries. The colors of the ribbons handed out during the action correspond to the colors of the ribbon, which is covered with the block of the medal “For the victory over Germany”.

This annual flash mob is held in order to prevent the younger generation from forgetting the price of victory in the most bloody war in the history of mankind . This tribute is neither commercial nor political.

Interesting! The international campaign has both like-minded and opponents. According to the latter, disrespect for veterans can be traced in this event. The undeserved use of the medal symbol by people who after the holiday throw it on the ground, stomp their feet, tie it to cars, bags, pets, attach to shoes, they consider it black ingratitude to the winners. There are probably such people, but most Russians respect the symbol of Victory with respect.