Circassian flag

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.

Circassian flag

Unitary Flag Blessed Banner
Use	National flag
Proportion	1:2
Adopted	In Circassia: First forms of it accepted in early 1800s, standard version in 1830s
Design	Twelve golden stars resembling a bow charged with three golden arrows on a dark green background
Designed by	Seferbiy Zaneqo

Description

Symbolism and meaning

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] 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.^[6][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

Creation of the flag

An invasion of Circassia by Russia started in 1763,^[7] and since then, the Circassians have been fighting the Russo-Circassian War in defense of their territory.^[8][9] The Treaty of Adrianople was signed on 14 September 1829,^[10] 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.^[11]

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.^[11]

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][12]

Seferbiy viewed the Circassian flag as a symbol suited to the Circassians' historical context and distributed copies to his allies. In one case, his twin-masted ship was destroyed by a Russian detachment in January 1838, however the Circassians successfully transported the flag and gunpowder to the village of Wostighay, where Hawduqo Mansur [tr] lived.

David Urquhart self-proclaimed to be the designer of the flag, but there is no discovered evidence for his claims.^[13] Seferbiy's father's cousin was related to Prince Hatokhshoqo Hamirza, relative to Kabardian Grandprince Jankhot Kushuk, and thus knew the arrow and star design from the Kabardian coat of arms. The flag's origin traces back to the coat of arms, indicating its design stemmed from local efforts rather than external influences. In a speech in Britain, Urquhart described the flag's elements independently of Circassian culture, revealing his lack of knowledge about their origin and meaning.^[14][15][16]

Adoption and usage of the flag

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.^[17][18]

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.^[19] 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

Evolution of the current flag

The Circassian flag was used in various local variants at the same time from the 1830s until the end of the war. While the 12-star version was the standard version, local 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.^[20][21][22] John Longworth described a variant of the Circassian flag featuring white arrows and stars set against a green background in 1837.^[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 recorded 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.[23]
	1809–1822	High Princedom of Kabardia (Jankhot Kushuk)	The yellow and white part is removed. This version was used by Grand Prince Jankhot Kushuk and the spear it was attached to had Prince Jankhot’s tamga () at its tip.[23]
	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.[24]
	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.[20]
	1837	Circassia (Hawduqo Mansur [tr])	A variant of the Circassian flag. 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.[25][26]
	?– 1840	Circassia	A variant of the Circassian flag. It was captured from Natukhajs by Russian troops during the Circassian assault on the Abinsk Fortress on May 26, 1840.[27][28][29]
	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.

Other flags used by Circassians

The flag culture had a wide and important usage among the Circassians.^[30] As far as known that since the Early Middle Ages, flags bearing the tamgas of influential or aristocratic dynasties have been in use.^[31] 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.^[30][31]

Each military unit within a Circassian army carried its own banner, which belonged to its commander. The main army flag was that of the supreme commander and was carried by a designated standard-bearer, who remained close to the leader during battle. Orders were signaled through specific flag movements, each signaling a different command. Due to the chaos of battle, some units were unable to perceive flag signals, so instruments such as the types of horns or drums were used to convey commands.^[32]

Two main types of banners were used in battles: clan banners, marked with tamgas representing noble families, and tribal banners, representing broader tribes. Clan banners were used by aristocratic units, while tribal banners were carried by commoner-led units. If a campaign was initiated by a public assembly, the tribal banner of the leader served as the main army flag.^[32]

In Circassian aristocratic tribes, only princely-nobles (also called Beslan-nobles) could be standard-bearers (Adyghe: бэракъыхь, бэракъзехъэ; Kabardian: сэнджакъщIэт) of the princes they served, a hereditary wartime role held by certain princely-noble ranked families. For example, the duty of being the standard-bearer of the Cherchan princes of the Bzhedugs belonged to the Hakuy family.^[30] In democratic tribes, standard-bearers were elected based on merit. In both systems, standard-bearers has to be bravest ones, as they were expected to be alongside the commander at the front lines.^[32]

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.^[33] According to the Caucasus historian Vasily Potto, many grave flags were raised on tall poles in cemeteries near warrior villages.^[34]

"Circassian on a horse with a banner" by Eugene Lanceray

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.^[25] People's Assembly of Adagum was an administrative unit, especially among the Natukhaj, Shapsugh, Abzakh and Ubykh, until the reign of Muhammad Emin.^[35] In March 1840, during the Siege of Mikhailovsky, Russian cadet Iosis Miroslavsky noted that the Circassians used red victory banners.^[36] In April 1840, it was decided at a meeting near the Ubin River that each river-based settlement (psukh) 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.^[30] During the Circassian assault on the Abinsk Fortress on May 26, 1840, Russian forces captured three tribal banners; two belonging to the Natukhaj and one to the Shapsug.^[32]

In wedding flags, the tamgas of the bride’s and groom’s families were displayed, hers on the left and his on the right, reflecting their traditional positions in the wedding. During wedding ceremonies a popular equestrian game involved riders chasing a flag-bearer to seize a bordered flag. In a competition game recorded by James Bell, riders try to take a white flag from the rider who carries it.^[37] The same game appeared in ceremonies marking the return of an aristocratic child from his educator, using a green flag. In one variation, the goal was to capture a fabricless flag made from a walnut branch.^[38]

In the Kabardian and Abazin "return from plowing" festival (Kabardian: Вакӏуэ Ихьэж), another white flag (called вакӏуэ бэракъ) 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.^[39][38]

A black flag was traditionally hoisted on a tall pole above the house of the deceased’s family for three days as a sign of mourning, so that passersby would stop by to offer their condolences.^[40][33] A black flag was also placed at the entrance of a home affected by plague or cholera to warn passersby and help prevent the spread of disease.^[40] When a child was born, a flag was placed on the house roof or fence.^[38]

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.[23]
	?–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.[23]
	?–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.[23]
	?–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.[23]
	?–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.[23]
	?–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.[23]
	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.[23]
	?–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.[23]
	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.[23]
	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.[23]
	?–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.[23]
	19th c.	Anzorey (Muhammad-Mirza)	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.[23]
	?–19th c.	Bezroqo	Banner of the Lesser Kabardian first-rank noble House of Bezroqo.[41]
	?–19th c.	Yislamey	Banner of the Lesser Kabardian first-rank noble House of Islam (Yislam). Vassal to the Akhle Principality.[41]
	?–19th c.	Yindarey	Banner of the Lesser Kabardian first-rank noble House of Indar (Yindar). Vassal to the Jilakhstaney.[41]
	?–19th c.	Botashey	Banner of the Lesser Kabardian first-rank noble House of Botash of Balkar origin. Vassal to the Talostan Principality.[41]
	?–19th c.	Astemirey	Banner of the Lesser Kabardian first-rank noble House of Astemir. Vassal to the Jilakhstaney, later to Bekovich-Cherkassky.[41]
	?–19th c.	Azepshey	Banner of the Lesser Kabardian first-rank noble House of Azepshey. Vassal to the Jilakhstaney.[41]
	?–19th c.	Yinaroquey	Banner of the Lesser Kabardian first-rank noble House of Inaroqo (Yinaroqo). Vassal to the Jilakhstaney.[41]
	?–19th c.	Makhsid's	Banner of the Lesser Kabardian fourth-rank noble House of Makhsid.[41]
	?–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.[23]
	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 in 1840.[27][29]
	?–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 in 1840.[27][42]
	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.[43]

Color scheme

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

Images

• 
  A variant of the Circassian flag. Captured in 1840.
• 
  Photo of the Natukhaj flag at the Adyghea National Museum.
• 
  Photo of the Shapsug flag at the Adyghea National Museum.
• 
  Circassian flag drawn by Edmund Spencer, 1837.
• 
  Circassian flag at the meeting at the Ubin River by Edmund Spencer.
• 
  A Circassian flag in Jordan, 1954.
• 
  Israeli Circassians from Kfar Kama displaying the Circassian flag, 2011.

See also

• Flags of cities, villages and districts of Adygea
• Seferbiy Zaneqo