Estonia Flag

Estonia Flag

Estonia Flag

Estonia was ruled by Denmark (1227-1346), German Teutonic Knights (1346-1558), and Sweden (1558-1712) before becoming part of the Russian Empire during the 19th century. The tricolor of the Estonia flag was first used in 1881, during student uprisings against the czarist Russian occupation. Following the Russian Revolution in 1917, Estonia enjoyed a brief period of independence, during which its blue, black and white flag was flown. The victorious Soviet forces of 1917 were, however, vanquished when Germany invaded Estonia during World War I. Although Soviet rule was re-established in November 1918, it was again overthrown in 1919, when Estonia declared itself independent and established a democratic republic. A fascist coup having taken place in 1934, however, in 1939 a secret deal between Germany and the Soviet Union resulted in Estonia becoming part of the U.S.S.R. The national tricolor having been outlawed by Stalinist forces, the Estonia flag was not flown again until 1990, when the U.S.S.R. was dissolved.

The colors of the Estonia flag are representative of Estonia's history: blue is the color of loyalty, as well as representing the country's lakes and sky; black symbolizes the country's past sufferings and is both the color of the Estonian soil and the traditional peasant's jacket; while white represents the snow, birch bark and Estonia's struggle for freedom.