View source for Assyrian flag

{{Short description|none}}
{{use mdy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox flag
|Name = Assyria
|Article =
|Image = Flag of the Assyrians (gold and blue Assur).svg
|Nickname = 
|Use = [[Ethnic flag]]
|Symbol =
|Proportion = 
|Adoption = {{Start date and age|1971}}
|Design = White field with a golden circle at the center, surrounded by a four-pointed star in blue.
Four triple-colored (red-white-blue), widening, wavy stripes connect the center to the four corners of the flag.
|Designer = George Bet Atanus}}

The '''Assyrian flag''' ({{langx|syr|ܐܬܐ ܐܬܘܪܝܬܐ}} {{translit|sem|ʾāṯā ʾāṯōrāytā}} or {{lang|aii|ܐܬܐ ܕܐܬܘܪ}} {{translit|sem|ʾāṯā d-ʾāṯōr}})<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.assyrianlanguages.org/sureth/list.php?initial=%27|title=List of all entries|website=www.assyrianlanguages.org}}</ref> is widely used to represent the [[Assyrian nationalism|Assyrian nation]] in the [[Assyrian homeland|homeland]] and in the [[Assyrian–Chaldean–Syriac diaspora|diaspora]]. The flag was first designed by George Bit Atanus in 1968,<ref name="auaf.us">{{cite web |date=2017-03-27 |title=The History and Meaning Behind the Assyrian Flag |url=https://www.auaf.us/blog/the-history-and-meaning-behind-the-assyrian-flag/ |access-date=2020-06-27 |website=Assyrian Cultural Foundation}}</ref> and was adopted in 1971 during a gathering of Assyrian organizations. The [[Assyrian Universal Alliance]], [[Bet-Nahrain Democratic Party]], [[Assyrian Democratic Organization]], and all participants at the Assyrian Universal Alliance World Congress are believed to be some of the first organizations to have adopted the modern Assyrian flag.

The flag has a white background with a golden circle at the center, surrounded by a four-pointed star in blue, representing the ancient sun god [[Shamash]]. Four triple-colored (red-white-blue), widening, wavy stripes connect the center to the four corners of the flag. The figure of pre-[[Christianity|Christian]] [[Ancient Mesopotamian religion|Assyrian God]] Ashur, known from [[Architecture of Mesopotamia|Iron Age iconography]], features above the center.

==Symbolism==
The golden circle at the center represents the [[sun]], which, by its exploding and leaping flames, generates heat and light to sustain the earth and all its living things. The four-pointed star surrounding the sun symbolizes the land, its light [[blue]] color symbolizing [[tranquility]]. Together, they form the main star present on the flag which represents the sun deity [[Shamash]], also known as Utu. He was worshipped in the ancient Mesopotamian region, and was apparently the deity who provided leaders like [[Hammurabi]], [[Ur-Nammu]], and [[Gudea]] with divine laws.

The wavy stripes extending from the center to the four corners of the flag represent the three major rivers of the [[Beth Nahrain|Assyrian homeland]]: the [[Tigris]], the [[Euphrates]], and the [[Great Zab]]. The lines are small at the center and become wider as they spread out from the circle. The dark blue stripes stands for plentitude, and represents the Euphrates. The [[red]] stripes, whose blood-red hue stands for courage, glory, and pride, represent the Tigris. The [[white]] lines in between the two great rivers symbolize the Great Zab; its white color stands for tranquility and peace. Some interpret the red, white, and blue will gather all the Assyrians back to their homeland to stand strong and fight for what they want and what they have gained.

The archer figure above the star of Shamash symbolizes the ancient Assyrian god [[Ashur (god)|Ashur]], shown in a battle stance with a bow and arrow.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://aua.net/assyrian-flag/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090217081913/http://aua.net/assyrians/flag.htm|url-status=dead|title=Assyrian Flag – Assyrian Universal Alliance|archivedate=February 17, 2009}}</ref> The original version of the flag adopted by the Assyrian Universal Alliance had the Shamash in bronze, blue, and white coloring that represented the engravings of Ashur found at the [[British Museum]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Samuel |first=Ramina |last2=Ganjeh |first2=Carlo |last3=Bit-Dzhamo |first3=Dalilya |title=Real Assyrian Flag |url=https://www.assyrianflag.org |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=RAF |language=}}</ref> Other variations of the flag show the Ashur symbol in all red or gold, or just leave it out altogether.

==History==
Prior to [[World War I]], [[Terms for Syriac Christians#Syriac identity|Western Assyrians]] (i.e. Syriac Orthodox Assyrians, Syriacs, etc.) from the [[Tur Abdin]] region designed an Assyrian flag consisting of three horizontal tricolor stripes colored purple, white, and red, with three white stars at the upper hoist.<ref name="auaf.us"/> The purple, white, and red bars represented the loyalty, purity, and determination of the Assyrian people, and the three white stars represent the three names or components of the Assyrian nation, [[Assyrian people|Assyrians]], [[Terms for Syriac Christians#Syriac identity|Syriacs]], and [[Chaldean Catholics|Chaldeans]].<ref name=ChaldOn>{{cite web |title=The Old Assyrian Flag |url=http://www.chaldeansonline.net/photo/oldflag.html |website=Chaldeans On Line |access-date=21 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060105110929/http://www.chaldeansonline.net/photo/oldflag.html |archive-date=5 January 2006}}</ref><ref name=AANF>{{cite web |author1=AANF |title=HISTORY |url=http://aanf.org/history.html |website=Assyrian American National Federation |access-date=21 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050207234713/http://aanf.org/history.html |archive-date=7 February 2005}}</ref> This flag was used during delegation meetings with Assyrian politicians and Western powers post World War I, including the Assyro-Chaldean delegation of the [[Paris Peace Conference (1919–1920)|Paris Peace Conference]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bethsuryoyo.com/images/GalleryPics/AssyrianDelegationUN/UnDeleg1.html|title=Commemoration Picture of the Assyrian Delegations to the Peace Conference|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090616224552/http://www.bethsuryoyo.com/images/GalleryPics/AssyrianDelegationUN/UnDeleg1.html |archive-date=June 16, 2009}}</ref> Alternative variations of the flag exist with a salmon stripe instead of a purple one.

During the First World War, the [[Assyrian volunteers]] commanded by [[Agha Petros]] used a red flag with a white cross. Agha Petros' [[Military colours, standards and guidons|personal standard]] was the flag of the Volunteers but made of silk, with a golden fringe added, and the words "Trust God and follow the Cross" written in [[Suret language|Assyrian]] above and around the cross.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lindenmayer |first1=Sarah |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tIp_DwAAQBAJ&q=%22trust+god%22&pg=PA21 |title=Debt of Honour: How an Anzac saved the Assyrian people from Genocide |date=2018 |publisher=Australian Self Publishing Group |isbn=9780648317722 |page=21 |language=en |access-date=21 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=S.G. SAVIGE. D.S.O., M.C. |url=http://assyrianlevies.info/stalkys-forlorn-hope.html |title=STALKY'S FORLORN HOPE |date=1920 |publisher=McCubbin |language=en}}</ref> [[Malik Qambar]], a Chaldean Catholic Assyrian, created his own flag in a style reminiscent of the [[French flag]], with a multi-cone star in the center and three stripes on the top.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shoumanov |first=Vasili |date=2021 |title=Assyrian Yellow Pages by Vasili Shoumanov.pdf |url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/1k4_OJZjV-WIxqBhkbXnWXAEl5BWP7ywd/view |access-date=2025-04-06 |website= |publisher=assyrianyp.com}}</ref>

The three stripe flag was also in use by the Assyrian National Federation, later renamed the Assyrian American Federation and the Assyrian American National Federation, from its founding in 1933 until 1975 when they adopted the current Assyrian flag.<ref name="ChaldOn" /><ref name="AANF" /> Syriac Orthodox Assyrians in [[Worcester, Massachusetts]] had also used the flag near their churches before the advent of the modern naming dispute.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Joseph |first=Max J. |date=2020-04-24 |title=On “National Sanctity”: A Letter from Abraham K. |url=https://deadmanmax.medium.com/1927-a-letter-from-abraham-k-yousuf-to-the-syriac-orthodox-patriarch-mar-ignatius-elias-iii-d9729a4cd664 |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=Medium |language=en}}</ref>

=== Modern flag ===
Following the founding of the Assyrian Universal Alliance, the organization set out to create a brand new Assyrian flag. In 1968, they launched a contest that called for Assyrian artists to envision a new Assyrian flag that would be used to represent the people and their heritage.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 July 2014 |title=Le drapeau assyro-chaldéen: CRÉATION ET SIGNIFICATION |url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/11Afb0boeBufo2b9uWxhxDKJi65-38-5L/view |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=ninwaymag.com |publisher=Ninway Magazine |language=French}}</ref> The early inspirations of the design for the flag came from Vladimir Beit David, an Assyrian originally from Iran who incorporated the modern symbolism such as the star of Ishtar into Assyrian associations and activities in [[Tehran]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Evolution |url=https://www.assyrianflag.org/evolution |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=RAF |language=en}}</ref> This star design would over time be incorporated into greater use across Assyrian organizations.

The modern design of the flag is credited to George Bit-Atanous, a seismic engineer from Russia whose family was originally from [[Urmia]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Assyrian Flag and Its Designer |url=http://www.aina.org/ata/20120504113123.htm |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=www.aina.org}}</ref> As he continued to engage in personal studies, Atanous was actively involved in several Assyrian organizations, and personally studied [[Assyriology]], taking inspiration from the field to incorporate ancient Assyrian iconography into modern designs and symbols. He presented his design for the modern flag at the 3rd annual AUA congress, which was unanimously accepted.

The design of the flag was decided on during the 6th annual AUA congress in [[Yonkers, New York]].<ref name=":1" /> Throughout the 1970s leading into the 1980s, the modern design of the flag would be used more frequently, replacing the former three stripe design.<ref name=":0" />

=== Alternate variations ===
{{See also|Chaldean flag|Aramean-Syriac flag}}
In 1980, the journal ''Bahro Suryoyo'' of the Syriac Federation of Sweden ({{Langx|sv|Syrianska Riksförbundet i Sverige}}) created a new flag in the wake of the Swedish naming conflict between Assyrian and Aramean. The flag features a red background and a yellow eagle design based on the excavations at [[Tell Halaf]] in the 20th century. A flame was added later on to represent the [[Holy Spirit in Christianity|Holy Spirit]], but is said to have originated from Assyrian symbolism that was used by organizations in [[Lebanon]] and the [[Assyrian diaspora|diaspora]] before the advent of the modern naming dispute.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hajjar |first=Hanna |title=The origin of the Aramean eagle and flag {{!}} Assyrians [Syriacs] |url=https://assyrians.n.nu/8 |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=assyrians.n.nu}}</ref>

Sometime between the 1990s and 2000s, a new flag was created that aimed to represent the Chaldean Catholic part of the Assyrian community.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chaldean Flag |url=http://chaldeanflag.com/flag.html}}</ref> The Chaldean flag bears a white background with two blue stripes on the left and right-hand sides, with a combination of the stars of Shamash and [[Inanna|Ishtar]] in the middle. However, the flag has received criticism for its association with the Assyrian naming dispute and larger sectarianism in the Assyrian community, as well as a copyright<ref>{{cite web |author=Amer Hanna Fatuhi |title=Letter of Authorization |url=https://chaldeanflag.com/letterofauthorization.html |access-date=24 April 2024}}</ref> in place by the creator and a lawsuit involving Chaldean Catholic bishop [[Sarhad Yawsip Jammo]].<ref>{{cite court|litigants=Amer Shendaj v. Chaldean Federation of America and Sarhad Jammo|vol=|reporter=|opinion=|pinpoint=|court=United States District Court, Southern Division for Eastern District of Michigan|date=January 3, 2002|postscript=none|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/500684905/Amer-Hanna-Fatuhi-aka-Amer-Hanna-Shendaj-sued-Bishop-Jammo-from-the-Chaldean-Catholic-Church-for-using-the-Chaldean-Flag-that-Jammo-Helped-Create-Acc}}</ref>

In 2017, the [[Syriac Union Party (Syria)]] and [[Syriac Military Council]] began using a new tri-colored flag to represent Assyrians in the [[Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria]].<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2017 |title=الرايات السريانية تزين مدينة الحسكة |url=http://sutoro-forces.blogspot.com/2017/04/blog-post.html |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=SUTORO |language=Arabic}}</ref> However, the flag is considered unofficial and has rarely seen use outside of the party or Syria altogether.

==Gallery==
'''Variants'''
<gallery>
File:Flag of Assyria.svg|The [[Assyrian people|Assyrian]] flag with the image of Assur in red (adopted in 1971)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/assyria.html |title=Assyria |publisher=Crwflags.com |access-date=16 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081012054550/http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/Flags/assyria.html |archive-date=12 October 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
File: Flag of the Assyrians (gold and blue Assur).svg|The Assyrian flag with the image of Assur in shades of gold and blue, adopted by the Assyrian Universal Alliance<ref name=":1">[http://aua.net/assyrian-flag/ "The Origins and Description of the Assyrian Flag" by Homer Ashurian, Assyrian Universal Alliance, 03-1999] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090217081913/http://aua.net/assyrians/flag.htm |date=17 February 2009 }}</ref>
File:Flag of the Assyrians (gold Assur).svg|The Assyrian flag with the image of Assur in gold<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aina.org/news/20100423114113.htm |last1=Kiwarkis, Gaby  |title=Assyrians Honor New Zealand War Hero, Dedicate Genocide Plaque |publisher=Assyrian International News Agency |date=23 April 2010 |access-date=29 March 2019 }}</ref>
File:Flag of the Assyrians (no Assur).svg|The Assyrian flag without the image of Assur. This version has been used by the [[Nineveh Plain Protection Units]].<ref>{{cite web |last1= |date=October 28, 2016 |title=NPU raised the Iraqi, Assyrian & NPU flags in Baghdedeh |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gICGPSOkqj8 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/gICGPSOkqj8 |archive-date=2021-12-12 |access-date=1 October 2018 |website=Youtube |publisher=}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
</gallery>

=== Older flags ===
<gallery>
File:Old Assyrian Flag.svg|Assyrian flag designed before World War I and used until 1975
File:Flag of the Assyrian Volunteers.svg|The flag used by the Assyrian volunteers during World War I
</gallery>'''Alternative flags'''
<gallery>
File:Flag of the Syriac-Aramaic People.svg|alt=Aramean-Syriac flag.|[[Aramean-Syriac flag|Aramean flag]], developed in 1980 by a journal<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/sy%7Darama.html |title=Syriac-Aramaic People (Syria) |publisher=Crwflags.com |access-date=16 November 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081204205821/http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/sy%7Darama.html| archive-date= 4 December 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref>
File:Chaldean flag.svg|[[Chaldean flag]], adopted in late 1999
File:Gozartoflag.svg|Tricolor used by the [[Syriac Union Party (Syria)|Syriac Union Party]] and [[Syriac Military Council]] claims for itself representing Assyrian-Syriac people in [[Syrian Democratic Forces|SDF]]-controlled [[Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria|Northern Syria]]
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[Aramean-Syriac flag]]
*[[Chaldean flag]]
*[[Chaldean Catholics]]
*[[Assyrian nationalism]]
*[[Roomrama]]
*[[Ethnic flag]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*[http://aua.net/assyrian-flag/ The Origins and Description of the Assyrian Flag]
*[http://www.aina.org/aol/flag.htm Assyrian International News Agency (AINA)]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081012054550/http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/Flags/assyria.html Assyrian flag at Flags of the World]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090616233945/http://aua.net/assyrians/flag.htm The Origins and Description of the Assyrian Flag]
{{Assyrian topics}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Assyrian Flag}}
[[Category:Assyrian nationalism]]
[[Category:Religious flags]]
[[Category:Flags of indigenous peoples]]
[[Category:Flags introduced in 1971]]
[[Category:Assyrian culture]]
[[Category:Assyrian diaspora]]