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Circassian flag

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Circassian flag
Unitary Flag
Blessed Banner
UseNational flag
Proportion1:2
AdoptedIn Circassia: First forms of it accepted in early 1800s, standard version in 1830
DesignTwelve golden stars resembling a bow charged with three golden arrows on a dark green background
Designed bySeferbiy Zaneqo

The Circassian flag (Adyghe and Kabardian: Адыгэ нып) is the national flag of the Circassians. It consists of a green field charged with twelve gold stars, nine forming an arc resembling a bow and three horizontal, also charged with three crossed arrows in the center.[1] Seferbiy Zaneqo, a Circassian diplomat, is the designer of the flag.[2] Every year, April 25 is celebrated as the Circassian flag day by Circassians.[3][4][5] Another version of the flag is currently officially used by the Republic of Adygea of the Russian Federation as its national flag.

Description

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Symbolism and meaning

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Bumper sticker of the Circassian flag design on a car in Kfar Kama, Israel. It is one of two Circassian towns in Israel; the flag or flag design can be seen on items owned by Circassians in the diaspora, sometimes as an expression of Circassian nationalism or otherwise to let other Circassians know that they are Circassian.

The green represents the nature and Islam.[2][6] The golden colour represents a bright future in peace and the plentiful harvest of grain and wheat. There are twelve stars, representing the twelve provinces of Circassia.[7][1] There are three arrows, a reference to Adyghe Xabze in which they would mean "peace if you are my friend, war if you attack me".[2]

History and usage

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Creation of the flag

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An invasion of Circassia by Russia started in 1763,[8] and since then, the Circassians have been fighting the Russo-Circassian War in defense of their territory.[9][10] The Treaty of Adrianople was signed on 14 September 1829,[11] which stated that the Ottoman Empire recognized Circassia as Russian territory. Most Circassian leaders believed the treaty was a hoax, a strategy of the Russians, as they believed that the Ottoman Empire would never abandon the Circassians. It was decided to send a delegation to the Ottoman sultan to examine the accuracy of the news.[12]

Seferbiy Zaneqo was chosen as one of the delegates. Their mission was to meet with the Ottoman caliph to clarify the matter and receive a blessing. However, the Russian ambassador started pressuring the sultan to arrest them, and following this, the other delegates returned the Circassia while Zaneqo stayed.[12]

Circassian flag drawn by Edmund Spencer

During this time, Zaneqo was injured during a demonstration against Russian Imperialism, and was hospitalised. When a Circassian man, Muhammad Selkhur, visited him, Zaneqo presented a folded paper, and clarified that it is a prototype for a Circassian unity flag, and that during his long hospitalization, he thought considerably about a symbol for the Circassian unity and he concluded on the contents of the paper. He explained that he took inspiration from previous Circassian symbols, and that each of the twelve stars represents a Circassian tribe and they are all equally represented without prejudice. As to the crossed arrows they represent that the Circassians do not seek war, but will defend themselves when attacked. A Circassian woman from the Ottoman harem knitted the flag and sent it to Circassia.[2][13]

David Urquhart self-proclaimed to be the designer of the flag, but there is no discovered evidence for his claims.[14] The Circassian flag was mentioned and described by the traveler Edmund Spencer in 1830, Urquhart arrived in Circassia much later.

Adoption and usage of the flag

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A house wall in Kfar Kama, Israel, decorated with the Circassian flag design, 2011

In 1836, the first copy of the flag was hand-delivered by the British delegate James Stanislaus Bell to Nour Muhammad Haghur in the Gesh Valley (in present-day Sochi). A council was held in the Psefabe Valley where representatives of the Circassian tribes met, in which the flag was presented and accepted.[2] The flag was then flown by Khirtsizhiqo Ale to cheers from Circassian commanders and a multitude of people.[15][16]

The Circassian people used this design ever since it was first adopted, including in the Russo-Circassian War. The flag is seen as one of the symbols of the Circassian nation by Circassians worldwide as well as one of the symbols of Circassian nationalism. This flag was also used by Circassians in the Circassian diaspora serving in several positions.

Circassian children from Maykop, Russia, with the Circassian flag, 2014

While the flag always survived among the Circassian diaspora, it lost its popularity in the Caucasus as a result of censorship during the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union, until it was repopularized by Ibrahim Nawurjan in 1989. Nawurjan, a history student at the Kabardino-Balkarian State University, discovered Edmund Spencer's book in the archives and resurrected the flag by painting it according to the description in the book. The flag was then adopted as a symbol of the Nalchik Circassian association. Nawurjan, a fervent Spartak Nalchik fan, helped popularize it among Spartak Nalchik supporters, and it later became popular among Circassians in the Caucasus again. On August 25, Nawurjan was killed on the Mamdzishha hill during the Abkhazian War, in which he voluntarily participated.[17] A historical surviving copy of the flag was later discovered, and compared to Nawurjan's design as well as designs in the diaspora, with all designs being identical in essence.

The Republic of Adygea adopted the present-day flag in a law of March 24, 1992. The proportions are 2:1.

Historical Circassian flags

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Evolution of the current flag

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The Circassian flag was used in various local variants from the 1830s until the end of the war. For this reason, the exact periods of use for the variants are not clearly known. While the 12-star version was the most common, designs with 8, 9, 10, and 11 stars were also recorded. White, black, and yellow were used for the arrows and stars, with different shades of green for the background. John Longworth described a variant of the Circassian flag featuring white arrows and stars set against a green background in 1837.[18][19][20][21]

Flag Date Adopting Government Descriptions
17th c.–1810 High Princedom of Kabardia The coat of arms used by Kabardia. The white crescent represents Islam. The three stars represent eternity, dynasty and ideals. The arrows represent combat power and self-defense.
1732–1805 High Princedom of Kabardia First version of the green banner, used as the unitary flag of East Circassia. The design is imported from the coat of arms. The three stars on the banner represent the three regions of Kabardia: Lesser Kabardia, Baksan, and Kashkhatau. In 1805, the banner was captured by Russian troops under the command of General Glazenap during a battle near the Baksan River.[22]
1809–1822 High Princedom of Kabardia The yellow and white part is removed. This version was used by Grand Prince Jankhot Qushuq and the spear it was attached to had Prince Jankhot’s tamga () at its tip.[22]
Early 19th c.– 1840 Circassia First known flag of a fully united Circassia proposal, flown by many Circassian commanders. There are eight stars, representing the eight regions supporting the proposal. The golden colour is replaced by black. Allegedly, there were alternative versions with Islamic symbols and swords. One of the banners was captured by Russian troops during the Circassian assault on the Abinsk Fortress on May 26, 1840.[23][24]
1830s–1864 Circassia
(Circassian Majlis) 		Designed by Seferbiy Zaneqo, it was used as the flag of Circassia since the 1830s, and was officially adopted by the Circassian Majlis in 1861. The green represents the nature and Islam. There are twelve stars, representing the twelve provinces of Circassia. The black is preserved for the arrows but the stars are golden. The arrows represent that the Circassians do not seek war, but will defend themselves when attacked. Removed after the fall of Circassia in 1864 following the Battle of Qbaada.
1836 Circassia The Deliberti "The Liberty" flag sent by David Urquhart to the Shapsug, Natukhaj, and Abzakh in June 1836. 3 pieces were sent in total. According to Urquhart, the flags were sent by William IV.[25]
1837 Circassia This version was drawn by Spencer, English traveler in Circassia. During the spread of the Circassian flag, it was drawn according to the available materials or different situations, so it appeared in different colors, stars and arrows but it kept its shape.[18]
1837 Circassia On February 3, 1837, an assembly was held in Adagum, including John Longworth, James Bell, and a total of 1000–1500 participants. The leader of the assembly was Hawduqo Mansur [tr]. This flag was the standard of Mansur and used at the center of the assembly.[20][26]
24 March 1992 – 7 June 2007 State Council of the Republic of Adygea First flag of the Republic of Adygea. The design was based on the flag of Circassia, but the colours and measurements were significantly different. The wartime flag is replaced with the peacetime flag; therefore black representing fight against Russian invasion was completely removed and replaced with a golden colour, while the stars were lifted higher. The golden colour was re-purposed to represent harvest of wheat.
7 June 2007–Current State Council of the Republic of Adygea Current flag of the Republic of Adygea, adopted in 2007. The measurements are closer to the original Circassian flag.
1864–Current None The variant of the flag used in the Circassian diaspora, following the original measurements instead of the modern Adygea version.
Israeli Circassians from Kfar Kama displaying the Circassian flag, 2011
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Other flags used by Circassians

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The flag culture had a wide and important usage among the Circassians.[27] As for as known that since the Early Middle Ages, flags bearing the tamgas of influential or aristocratic dynasties have been in use.[28] The tamgas on the flags were usually sewn with golden silk. In addition to those used in battle and during marching, flags were also used for sports, weddings, religious rituals, graves, ceremonies, and to signal from a distance.[27][28]

In Circassian tribes ruled by princes, only nobles could be standard-bearers (Adyghe: бэракъыхь; Kabardian: сэнджакъщIэт). Some noble families had the special duty of carrying banners, and this role was passed down through generations. In wartimes, noble standard-bearers carried the banners of the princes they served.[27] When an important warrior died on a battlefield, a banner with their family’s tamga was placed on top of the burial mound as grave made for them.[29] According to the Caucasus historian Vasily Potto, many grave flags were raised on tall poles in cemeteries near warrior villages.[30]

During the Adagum Assembly in 1837, each leader and their group stood at the assembly under their own banner.[26] It indicates that this is how banners were traditionally used at assemblies.[20] In April 1840, it was decided at a meeting near the Ubin River that each river-based settlement would send 15 cavalrymen to campaigns and battles. Each cavalry unit joined the battle under a flag that was representing its own river-based community.[27] In 1840, during the Siege of Mikhailovsky, Russian cadet Iosis Miroslavsky noted that the Circassians used red victory banners.[31]

In the Circassian "return from plowing" festival (Kabardian: Вакуэ Ихьэж), a white flag symbolizing nature’s rebirth is raised on a 3–5 meter pole. Its raising marks the end of fieldwork and the start of a communal feast. Led by an appointed chief, the celebrations continue and competitions begins in the village after the white flag is placed in the courtyard of a preselected house.[32]

Since the Kabardian region came under Russian rule earlier, most of the banners of prominent aristocratic dynasties were recorded in Russian sources. However the banners of Western Circassian aristocrats were either never recorded or no descriptive archival material about them has been compiled.



Flag Date Adopting Government Descriptions
1382–22 January 1517 Burji dynasty Flag of the Circassian Mamluks in Egypt.
?–16th c. Zichia As described in "Eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea. HM 35. JOÃO FREIRE, PORTOLAN ATLAS. Portugal (?), 1546"
1641 Coalition of Lesser Kabardia The Lesser Kabardian coalition banner used by the Sholokh (from Talostan) and Mudar (from Jilakhstaney) principalities in the Battle of Malka in 1641.[22]
?–19th c. Principality of Hatokhshoqo Banner of the Greater Kabardian princely House of the Hatokhshoqo (Atajuqo) Principality. At the tip of the spear to which it was attached, there was the 4th tamga of the family. The banner was captured by Russian troops in a battle near the Mount Kanzhal in the 18th century.[22]
?–19th c. Principality of Misost Banner of the Greater Kabardian princely House of the Misost Principality. At the tip of the spear holding the banner, there are the second tamga made from iron of the Misost family. In the second half of the 18th century, the banner was captured by Russian troops during the defeat of the Crimean Khan's headquarters in Bakhchisarai.[22]
?–19th c. Principality of Qeytuqo Banner of the Greater Kabardian princely House of the Qeytuqo Principality. In the second half of the 18th century, the banner was seized by Russian troops during the defeat of the Crimean Khan's headquarters in Bakhchisarai. Tamgas or other symbols were usually not used on yellow and white fabric because these symbols were mostly sewn with gold thread. That’s why Qeytuqo Banner has no symbols. However the tip of the spear it was attached to had the Qeytuqo tamga () made of iron.[22]
?–19th c. Principality of Bekmirza Banner of the Greater Kabardian princely House of the Bekmirza Principality. The daggers without sheaths on the banner are sewn with gold. At the tip of the spear holding the banner, there was an iron tamga of the Bekmirza family. The banner was captured by Yermolov's Russian troops in 1822.[22]
?–19th c. Kundetey Banner of the first-rank noble House of Kundet (Kudenet) in Greater Kabardia. Vassal to the Hatokhshoqo Principality. In 1797, the banner was captured by General Fabritsian’s unit during a battle near the Konstantingorsk Fortress.[22]
1641 Lesser Kabardia (Jilakhstaney) Flag of the Lesser Kabardia (Jilakhstaney) with the tamga's of Mudar and Akhle families. The banner was used during the Battle of Malka in 1641.[22]
?–19th c. Principality of Mudar Banner of the Lesser Kabardian princely House of the Mudar Principality. In 1816, the banner was captured by Russian troops during a battle near the Terek River.[22]
1812 Principality of Akhle Banner of the Lesser Kabardian princely House of Akhle (or Alkho). The banner was used by the Lesser Kabardian cavalry detachment and fought against the French near Mozhaysk in 1812 during Napoleon’s invasion of Russia.[22]
1641 Principality of Talostan Banner of the Lesser Kabardian princely House of Talostan Principality. The banner was used during the Battle of Malka in 1641.[22]
?–19th c. Tambiy Banner of the first-rank noble House of Tambiy in Greater Kabardia. Vassal to the Misost Principality. It was captured by Russian troops during the 1834 raid on the village of Tambiy, which was located on the banks of the Kuban River.[22]
19th c. Anzorey Banner of the Lesser Kabardian noble Muhammad-Mirza Anzor. Vassal to the Talostan Principality. In 1849, the banner was captured during a Russian assault on the village of Gekhi in Lesser Chechnya.[22]
?–19th c. Bezroqo Banner of the Lesser Kabardian first-rank noble House of Bezroqo.[33]
?–19th c. Yislamey Banner of the Lesser Kabardian first-rank noble House of Islam (Yislam). Vassal to the Akhle Principality.[33]
?–19th c. Yindarey Banner of the Lesser Kabardian first-rank noble House of Indar (Yindar). Vassal to the Jilakhstaney.[33]
?–19th c. Botashey Banner of the Lesser Kabardian first-rank noble House of Botash of Balkar origin. Vassal to the Talostan Principality.[33]
?–19th c. Astemirey Banner of the Lesser Kabardian first-rank noble House of Astemir. Vassal to the Jilakhstaney, later to Bekovich-Cherkassky.[33]
?–19th c. Azepshey Banner of the Lesser Kabardian first-rank noble House of Azepshey. Vassal to the Jilakhstaney.[33]
?–19th c. Yinaroquey Banner of the Lesser Kabardian first-rank noble House of Inaroqo (Yinaroqo). Vassal to the Jilakhstaney.[33]
?–19th c. Makhsid's Banner of the Lesser Kabardian fourth-rank noble House of Makhsid.[33]
?–19th c. Murtazey Banner of the Lesser Kabardian second-rank noble House of Murtaza. Vassal to the Talostan Principality. The banner was captured by Yermolov's Russian troops in 1822.[22]
1848–1859 Muhammad Amin's government "Circassian Islamic flag" described by Karl Marx. The flag itself is green and has a white sword with a crescent and a star on it. One of the flags during the reign of Muhammad Amin.
?–1859 Bzhedugh Flag of the Bzhedugh region.
?–1864 Shapsug Flag of the Shapsug region. Captured by Russian troops on May 26, 1840.[23]
?–1860 Natukhaj Flag of the Natukhaj region. It is a replica of the French flag with the text "Muhammad" added on it, representing the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Captured by Russian troops on May 26, 1840.[23]
6 March 1917–30 November 1922 Congress of the North Caucasian Peoples Flag of the Mountainous Republic of the Northern Caucasus. The seven stars represent the Caucasian people and the stripes represent harmony.
1922–1946 1st Circassian Light Cavalry Regiment Standard of the Circassian unit in the Army of the Levant of the French. This side features the unit’s emblem in all four corners. At the center, a circular inscription in Adyghe (Latin script) reads "YAPEQHE TCERQES" (Adyghe: ЯпэкIэ, lit. 'Forward Circassian'). Below: "TCERQES CHIV PSINTCHÊ SEVTINME YA QUP" (Adyghe: Шыу Псынкӏэ ? Я Къуп, lit. 'Circassian Light Cavalry Unit'). Above the circle are seven stars, symbolizing the main Circassian tribes.[34]

Color scheme

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Color scheme 		Green Gold
RAL 6002 1026
CMYK 61-0-82-39 0-0-99-1
HEX #296912 #FDFC02
RGB 41-105-18 253-252-2

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Gammer, M. (2004). The Caspian Region: a Re-emerging Region. London: Routledge. p. 67.
  2. ^ a b c d e Bashqawi, Adel (2017). "The Circassian Flag, the Homeland, the Circassian Identity". Circassia: Born to Be Free. Xlibris Corporation. ISBN 9781543447651. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
  3. ^ efor (May 4, 2017). "Çerkezlerin Bayrak Günü ve Özgürlük Mücadelesi". insamer.com (in Turkish). Retrieved April 25, 2022.
  4. ^ Узел, Кавказский. "День черкесского флага". Кавказский Узел. Retrieved April 25, 2022.
  5. ^ "25 Nisan: Çerkes bayrağı günü". Ajans Kafkas (in Turkish). May 27, 2019. Retrieved April 25, 2022.
  6. ^ "АДЫГЭ НЫПЫР. АБЫ И ТХЫДЭР И МЫХЬЭНЭР – KAFFED". KAFFED (in Kabardian). Archived from the original on September 10, 2024. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  7. ^ (Abdzakh, Besleney, Bzhedug, Hatuqway, Qabardey, Mamkhegh, Natukhaj, Shapsug, Chemguy, Ubykh, Yegeruqwai and Zhaney)
  8. ^ Natho, Kadir (2005). "The Russo-Circassian War". Archived from the original on May 12, 2022. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
  9. ^ Richmond, Walter (April 9, 2013). The Circassian Genocide. Rutgers University Press. ISBN 978-0-8135-6069-4.
  10. ^ King, Charles (2008). The Ghost of Freedom: A History of the Caucasus. New York City, NY: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-517775-6.
  11. ^ John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton (1907). The Cambridge Modern History. Macmillan & Co. p. 202.
  12. ^ a b Bashqawi, Adel (September 15, 2017). Circassia: Born to Be Free. Xlibris. ISBN 978-1543447644.
  13. ^ "ПУТЕШЕСТВИЯ В ЧЕРКЕСИЮ". www.vostlit.info. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  14. ^ Richmond, Walter (2013). "A Pawn in the Great Game". The Circassian Genocide. Genocide, Political Violence, Human Rights. New Brunswick, New Jersey: Rutgers University Press. p. 50. ISBN 9780813560694. Retrieved June 10, 2019. [...] Urquhart claims to have met fifteen tribal leaders and nearly two hundred village chiefs, designed the Circassian flag, and helped them draft a petition to London for assistance.
  15. ^ "ПУТЕШЕСТВИЯ В ЧЕРКЕСИЮ". www.vostlit.info. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  16. ^ "АП №92 (01.08.2024) | Портал СМИ КБР". smikbr.ru. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  17. ^ "Науржанов Ибрагим – человек, воссоздавший черкесский флаг в Кабарде". Адыги .RU - Новости Адыгеи, история, культура и традиции адыгов (черкесов) (in Russian). Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  18. ^ a b Spencer, Edmund (1838). Travels in Circassia, Krim-Tartary &c: Including a Steam Voyage Down the Danube from Vienna to Constantinople, and Round the Black Sea, in 1836. Vol. 2. Henry Colburn.
  19. ^ Longworth, John Augustus (1840). A Year Among the Circassians. Colburn. p. 67.
  20. ^ a b c Baj, Jabagi (1969). Çerkesya'da sosyal yaşayış-âdetler (in Turkish). Kafkasya Kültürel Dergi Yayınları. p. 124.
  21. ^ "АДЫГЭ НЫПЫР. АБЫ И ТХЫДЭР И МЫХЬЭНЭР – KAFFED". KAFFED (in Kabardian). Archived from the original on January 9, 2025. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  22. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Максидов, А.А. "Знамена кабардинских князей и дворян" [Banners of Kabardian princes and nobles]. Генеалогия Северного Кавказа (in Russian). 5. Нальчик: Институт гуманитарных исследований Правительства КБР и КБНЦ РАН: 166–171.
  23. ^ a b c Максидов, А. А. (2003). "Адыгские знамена: поиски и находки" [Adyghe Banners: Searches And Finds]. Генеалогия Северного Кавказа (in Russian). 6. Нальчик: Институт гуманитарных исследований Правительства КБР и КБНЦ РАН: 163–166.
  24. ^ "флаги адыгеи". vexillographia.ru (in Russian). Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  25. ^ Samir, Khotko (March 29, 2020). Шеуджен Э.А., Хотко С.Х. История адыгов (черкесов): военно-антропологический подход. p. 302.
  26. ^ a b Bell, James Stanislaus (1840). Journal of a Residence in Circassia: During the Years 1837, 1838 and 1839 : in 2 Volumes. Vol. 1. Moxon. p. 389.
  27. ^ a b c d Максидов, А.А. "ИЗ ИСТОРИИ ГОРСКИХ ЗНАМЕН" [FROM THE HISTORY OF THE MOUNTAINOUS BANNERS]. Генеалогия Северного Кавказа (in Russian). 5. Нальчик: Институт гуманитарных исследований Правительства КБР и КБНЦ РАН: 152–166.
  28. ^ a b ЯХТАНИГОВ, Х.Х. (2006). АДЫГСКИЕ ТАМГИ [Circassian tamgas] (in Russian). Nalchik: Кабардино-Балкарский государственный университет им. Х.М. Бербекова. p. 18.
  29. ^ Марзей, А.С. Черкесское наездничество [Circassian Horsemanship] (in Russian). pp. 260–261. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 28, 2025.
  30. ^ Потто, Василий. Кавказская война [Cauvasus War] (in Russian). Vol. 2.
  31. ^ Natho, Kadir I. (December 3, 2009). Circassian History. Xlibris Corporation. p. 310. ISBN 978-1-4653-1699-8.
  32. ^ Алексеевна, Тазбаш Елена (2015). "Черкесские войлочные маски ряженых в этнографических коллекциях антропологического музея МГУ" [Circassian Felt Masks of Mummers in the Ethnographic Collections of the Anthropological Museum of Moscow State University]. Вестник Московского университета. Серия 23. Антропология (2): 126–127. ISSN 2074-8132.
  33. ^ a b c d e f g h Максидов, А. А. (2003). "Знамена малокабардинских дворян" [Banners of the Lesser Kabardian nobles]. Генеалогия Северного Кавказа (in Russian). 6. Нальчик: Институт гуманитарных исследований Правительства КБР и КБНЦ РАН: 166–167.
  34. ^ Гогитидзе, М. Д. (2013). ЧЕРКЕССКИЕ ВОЕННЫЕ ДЕЯТЕЛИ (PDF) (in Russian). Тбилиси: Черкесский (Адыгский) культурный центр. pp. 299–304.
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