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Latvia - Flag Proposals and Variants

Last modified: 2006-01-28 by dov gutterman
Keywords: latvia | proposal |
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Overview

Just now I'm finished my flag redrawings from K.Dzirkalis book "Latvijas karoga vesture" 1936 (History of Latvian flag). There are flag proposals and flag ideas for Latvian flag. Presented are only proposals and ideas diferent from official Latvian flag
Research for colors and flag for latvians began in end of 19th century. Ideas mostly come from Livonian chronicles.
Gvido Petersons, 14 December 1999

Flag research from Dr.J.Sanders


image by Gvido Petersons, 14 December 1999

Flag research from historican Matiss Silins


image by Gvido Petersons, 14 December 1999

The idea come from Latvian traditional ornaments of cloth and dresses. M.Silins proposed that if latvians (latvian kingdoms - there was many) have some kind of flags before german invasion, they should be clear understandable for people - each part of latvia have their own ornament for cloths. M.Silins drawing is something generalized from all ornaments. He propose green or blue coloring - I've drawn only one.
Gvido Petersons, 16 December 1999

Flag research from Prof. P.Smits


image by Gvido Petersons, 14 December 1999

Flag idea from writer Linards Laicens


image by Gvido Petersons, 14 December 1999

Flag idea from poet Auseklis


image by Gvido Petersons, 14 December 1999

Two proposals from painter J.Grosvalds

1)
image by Gvido Petersons, 14 December 1999

2)
image by Gvido Petersons, 14 December 1999

Flag of latvian students corporation "Lettonia" (Derpt university)


image by Gvido Petersons, 14 December 1999

In some cases also presented as flag of latvians (in middle of 19c).
Gvido Petersons, 14 December 1999

Flag proposal from publicist Janis Lapins


image by Gvido Petersons, 14 December 1999

Official proposals from performers Ansis Cirulis and J.Rieksts In conference of Society of Art Promotion in May 1917

1)
image by Gvido Petersons, 14 December 1999

Flag in proportions 3:1:3 R/W/R
Gvido Petersons, 14 December 1999

2)
image by Gvido Petersons, 14 December 1999

Flag in proportions 3:1:3 R/W/R with 4 stars Auseklis for 4 historic kingdoms of Latvia: Kurzeme, Zemgale, Vidzeme, Latgale.
Gvido Petersons, 14 December 1999

3)
image by Gvido Petersons, 14 December 1999

Flag with heraldicaly drawn river Daugava.
Gvido Petersons, 14 December 1999

Is this based in original drawings or on interpetation ? . If I don't remember wrong the proposal was reported as Vawed line meaning the main river of the country.
Jaume Olle', 20 December 1999

It is for Daugava river. The flag description (by Dzirkalis) is exactly "Vawed zig-zag line". Also on picture.
Gvido Petersons, 27 December 1999

4 )Final choice was the first proposal but in proportions 2:1:2.
Gvido Petersons, 14 December 1999

Flags used in 1989 Demonstrations


image by António Martins-Tuválkin, 23 December 2005

In 1989-1991, there were many demonstrations in the Baltics against Soviet rule where medium red latvian flags were used (we can say it is medium red because of Russian, Lithuanian and even Soviet flags flying along). This was caused either by lack of adequate fabric and/or by ignorance about the details of the 1921-1937 flag. These quickly disappeared, replaced with correct ones.
António Martins-Tuválkin, 23 December 2005