Russian Fraternal Twin Flags: pt 17

Kalmykia & Yaroslavl

Flag of Yaroslavl

The Russian Province of Yaroslavl and the Russian Republic of Kalmykia are united by a yellow background with a central charge. It is a union of the proverbial Russian Bear with the Buddhist Lotus.

The bear is the international symbol of Russia, while the bear with the axe is the symbol of Yaroslavl Province. The lotus flower is the cosmic symbol of one who has reached enlightenment, while the lotus flower on blue disc with a yellow background is the symbol of a Russian Federal Subject.

Yaroslavl Province is named after Yaroslavl the Wise. He was the last Grand Prince of the Rus before the 1054 millennial split of the European Church into the Eastern Church of Constantinople and Western Church of Rome. Since then the 'Catholic' Christian church has been split into two noble and competing congregations - like a chess set. Yaroslavl the wise died in 1054.

The bear on Yaroslavl's flag is a reminder of Yaroslavl the Wise's Christian conversion and founding of the Yaroslavl city in 1010. The story goes like this, the local inhabitants let loose a bear to kill Yaroslavl the Wise - instead he killed the wild bear himself and founded the city of Yaroslavl. Thus this year 2010 is the 1000th anniversary of this Yaroslavl City.

On the other hand we have the Republic of Kalmykia. Kalmykia is Europe's only dominantly Buddhist Nation, although a nation within a nation. The Buddhist Kalmyks came to Europe at about the same time New England was settled by the English in the 1620s.

Flag of Kalmykia

The flower on Kalmykia's flag is the Lotus Flower. This flower has a Yin and Yang essence. The lotus flower can bloom in the murkiest of mud with a grace and enchanting beauty. It reminds us that the divine exists even in the lowliest, murkiest, and least likeliest of places.

The pairing of Kalmykia and Yaroslavl is a meeting of East and West. The people of Kalmykia are of the Hindu-Buddeic tradition while the people of Yaroslavl are of the Judeo-Christian tradition. Just as Russians colonized East Asia, a portion of East Asia colonized European Russia. Kalmykia people speak a language related to Mongolian and share a physical appearance as 'Chinese.'

Of famous people from Yaroslavl is the first woman to go into space - Valentina Tereshkova. Ms. Tereshkova was the first woman launched into space in 1963. Just as Russia has a 'minor' essence of Buddhism so to did Vladimir Lenin, who had Kalmyk heritage.

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Russia Today Youtube Links

Yaroslavl




Kalmykia




www.youtube.com/user/RussiaToday#p/search/4/8Fuatn_Ji6E
www.youtube.com/user/RussiaToday#p/search/5/_e4chFeUYqU

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Russian Fraternal Twin Flags: pt 16

Tyva & Chukotka

Flag of Chukotka

The Autonomous Chukota District and Republic of Tyva are in the Far East. Their flags are united by blue, white, yellow, and triangles. Chukotka has a solid dark blue field with a V-hoist canton with its zenith in the center. Tyva also has yellow V-hoist canton with its zenith off center towards the left.

Chukotka's white triangle is decorated with a yellow ring. Within the ring are the national colours of Russia. However Tuva's triangle is a solid yellow, instead her field is decorated with a Y-hoist division. The Y-hoist division is light blue with full white fimbriation.

You can see the United States of America from Chukotka District. Likewise you can also look into the 'Past,' since the imaginary international dateline exists here. But if you are standing in Alaska you would be looking into the 'Future.'

Flag of the Tyva Republic

The Tyva Republic is named after a Turkish ethnic minority - the Tyvans. However unlike most Turks, Tyvans are not Islamic. Most are Buddhist, Christian, or Native-Shaman. The Chukchi District is named after another native group. They are the proverbial Russian Eskimo-Inuit. Although the Chukchi are officially a part of Asia - tectonically speaking they are a part a North America just like their eastern cousins in Canada and Alaska. Although in different time zones and different nations, the Chukchi people and Inuit of North America share a similar heaven, earth, and biorhythm.

Russia Today Video Links

Tyva


Chukotka


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You can see "Chukotka/Russia" from Alaska

Russian Fraternal Twin Flags: pt 15

Vologda and Saratov

Flag of Vologda

Vologda and Saratov Province harmoniously align as flag twins. They both have mostly white backgrounds with a red stripe. Vologda's red stripe is along the right-fly side, while Saratov's red stripe is along the bottom side. The coat of arms are displayed on both flags. Saratov has three fish on a blue background, while Vologda has a divine hand extending from the clouds that holds a sword and the Royal Christian Orb with the Russian Imperial Crown floating above.

Flag of Saratov

Saratov's bragging right in history is that it was the landing point of the Yuri Gagarin's first voyage into orbit. Although the Americans were first to set foot on the moon, the Soviets were the first in space. Yuri was welcomed back to earth in Saratov Province.

Shield of Arms of Vologda
compared to Tarot Ace of Swords

The hand extending from the clouds is also found in many kinds of Tarot Cards, it represents the divine reaching out to the mortal. For example the flag of Vologda Province mirrors of the Ace of Swords from the Rider-Wait Tarot.


Vologda and Saratov are a part of the European portion of Russia. Coincidentally they are similar is shape and as medium sized logs.

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Russia Today Youtube Links

Saratov


Vologda






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Russian Fraternal Twin Flags: pt 14

Novgorod & Samara

Flag of Novgorod

The flags of Novgorod and Samara align by design in the background. They are both tri-bars of red, white and blue. Nogorod's bars are vertically cut while Samara's are horizontally cut.

Novgorod has two black bears and the fish while Samara has a white goat on their central shields.

Flag of Samara

Novgorod and Samara are both in the European parts of Russia but at transition points. Novgorod is a gateway to Scandinavia while Samara is a gateway to the steppe of Central Asia. Most of Novgorod's rivers flow into Europe's largest lake, lake Ladoga. While Samara rests on Europe's largest river, the Volga River, which feeds into the worlds largest internal sea, the Caspian.

Samara Province and Novgorod Province have large cities with their provincial namesake. These cities are beyond Moscow's comfort zone and have their own personalities.

Nevesky with his Tatar blood brother Sartaq

The solidification of Moscow as key power point in Russia accelerated in 1252 when Alexander Nevesky rose to power. At this time much of Russia was subjugated by the Mongols under the Golden Khanate, which at this time ruled over what was to be Samara. But the Mongols never attacked Novgorod.

Alexander Nevesky proved himself a great leader by defending Novgorod from Scandinavian and German invasion and allying to a Tatar named Sartaq, who became his blood brother. This alliance served as a catalyst for Moscow's growth in the middle ages.

Russia Today Youtube

Novgorod


Samara


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Russian Fraternal Twin Flags: pt 13

Altay Territory & Kemerovo Province

Flag of Kemerovo Province

The flag of Altay Territory and Kemerovo Province pair up gently. On the left-hoist side is a blue stripe. Kemrovo's blue stripe is thicker and a darker blue. On the right fly are fields of red. Kemerovo's field is blank but Altay Territory has a coat of arms. Likewise Kemerovo also has the coat of arms but within the blue stripe.

Flag of Altay Territory

Coincidentally both flags have stalks of wheat. For the Altay Territory it is clearly visible. The Altay wheat stalk fills up the blue stripe. For Kemerovo, it is a bit harder to see. There are three stalks of wheat on the inner shield of the coat of arms. Look closely on the inner black portion, and the three wheat stalks cross a hammer and pick axe.

You can guess that mining and agriculture are key industries of these two Russian lands. These lands are parallel to Alberta, and Saskatchewan, and British Columbia. This means they are warmer than Alaska yet colder than Maine or North Dakota, which means Altay and Kemerovo are a fisherman's paradise.

The hammer and pick axe of Kemerovo balance with the blast furnace and vase of the Altay Territory since the represent the advanced industrial technologies that the Russians brought to the region.

Close up of Arms on Flags

Altay also has a wreath of wheat while on the 'black home plate' of Kemerovo there are three stalks of wheat

Kemerovo and the Altay Territory are Russian Federal Subjects in the heart of Siberia in between China, Mongolia, and Kazakstan. Also note there is another Russian Federal Subject called the Altay Republic which is different from the Altay Territory.

Russia Today Youtube Links

Kemerovo Province
www.youtube.com/user/RussiaToday#p/search/3/FwmM_mrPF6s

Altay Territory & Republic
www.youtube.com/user/RussiaToday#p/search/0/kTZF_4dLZn0

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Russian Fraternal Twin Flags: pt 12

Kaluga & Tartarstan

Flag of Tatarstan

The flag of the Russian Republic of Tatarstan matches up with the flag of Kaluga Province. Their colours are inverts of red and green, a fitting collage for the Christmas Season. The main difference is that Kaluga has an imperial crown while Tatarstan has a thinner middle white line.

Tatarstan and Kaluga are a cultural match that echos of the past conflict between the West and the East. Russia is nation of delicate balance between Asia and Europe. Generally speaking Russia is mix of white and oriental people, or rather yellow and occidental ethnics. The primary white-occidental people are Russians themselves and the primary yellow-oriental people of Russia are the Tatars.

Flag of Kaluga

The cultural shifts of Russia between the East and West mirrors the force of Yin and Yang. Currently Russia has shifted towards the West, but in the 13th century, the power of Russia was polarized towards the East. Perhaps sometime in the future Russia will once again face towards the East.

In what is now Kaluga Province is where Russia broke free from the Tatar Yoke. The name of the 'battle' is called the Great Ugra River Standoff. Less than a hundred years later the Russians would overtake the 'capital city' of the Tatars with capture Kazan in 1552. With the Tatars subdued - Russians would place a 'Slav Yoke' on much of North Eastern Asia and the Caucus region.

It was under Ivan the Great - that Russia freed herself of the Tatar Yoke in 1480, but under Ivan the Terrible - that Russia placed a 'Russia Yoke' on the Tatars in 1552.

By utter coincidence Kaluga Province and the Republic Tatarstan are centers of the Russian Automotive industry. Russia's largest truck maker KAMAZ is centered in Tatarstan, and Kaluga is known as the 'Russian Detroit-Motor City.'

Direct video links to Russia Today

Info about Tatarstan

rt.com/programs/wayfarer/destinationtatarstan-2008-08-03/
Info about Kaluga
rt.com/business/news/russias-kaluga-poised-to-be-detroit-of-europe/

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It may be confusing but in a layman's note. There is a big difference between Tatars and Mongols, but it is not strictly enforced. The Mongols conquered Russia in the 1200s. But Russia was freed of the Tatar Yoke, which is sometimes called the Mongol Yoke. Tatars and Mongols are two different ethnics, who speak totally different languages. Tatars are ethnically a Turkish people. But in the US, Americans think of Turks as being from Turkey and looking like Borat. But only Turks from Turkey look like Borat. Generally speaking the Turkish people from Central Asia look like they are from China or Mongolia. For example, the ethnic Kazaks of Kazakhstan are Turks but look nothing like Borat but they could be mistaken as being Mongolian or Chinese.

Russian Fraternal Twin Flags: pt 11

Mordovia & Mari El

Mari El Republic Flag

The flag symmetry is obvious. The flags of these two Russian Republics keenly align by geometry and design. They have the same stripes of red, white, and blue - but are inverses with each other. In the center of both flags are cultural emblems at odds by 45 degrees.

Culturally the Mordovian and Mari are related as Uralic Peoples. This general group also includes Estonia, Finland, and Hungry. But the Mordovian and Mari languages differ much from each other and their more famous national cousins.

The Mari people amazingly maintained the ancient Marla Faith which existed before the arrival of Christianity. But not all Mari follow their traditional faith, a good percentage have joined the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Mordovia Republic Flag

The Mordovian people are divided as well. The Mordovians are mostly united in faith under the Eastern Orthodox Church but divided by language. The two main dialects of Mordovian are Moksha and Erzya. There is even a Mordovian Language that is considered a mix of Moksha and Erzya. It is called 'Shoksha.'

Furthermore since the Mordovians were ruled by the Islamic Tatar-Mongols, therefore there are Mordovians who converted to Islam. Most live in Tartarstan and have become 'Tatarfied' since they adopted Tartar customs, language and Sunni Islam. In balance to that, there are Mordovians who became totally 'Russified' by adopting Russian customs, language, and Eastern Orthodox Christianity.

Paradoxically the Mari and Mordovians are Russian people and yet not Russian people. They are ancient peoples of Russia and a part of a larger family of Uralic people that includes Hungry and Finland.

The Mari people like a rock maintained the Mari Way, but their western cousins the Mordovians like clay were molded into various fashions by the powers that be and totally abandoned the old polytheistic Mordovian Way. Although Mordovians are united under monotheism they are divided by Islam and Christianity.

Russia Today Video About Mordovia


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