Read about the national symbols of Ukraine

Ukraine’s National Symbols

The National Flag

The National Flag consists of two equal horizontal stripes: a blue one above a yellow one. The colours are symbolic - the blue is said to represent the heavens, the sky, and the country's streams while the yellow signifies the country's wheat fields. The roots of this Ukrainian national symbol come from before Christian times when yellow and blue prevailed in traditional ceremonies, reflecting fire and water. In Kyiv Rus' times, yellow and blue continued to be popular. The national flag was officially adopted for the first time in 1918 by a short-lived Ukrainian People's Republic and in 1992 it was officially restored following Ukrainian independence.

The National Emblem (Coat of Arms)

The Tryzub (Trident) is the country's official coat of arms. As an emblem, the Trident dates back to the first century A.D. It was the official emblem of the Kyiv princes, stamped on coins. Designs of the Trident symbol evolved. During the time of the Cossacks, the image of the Trident was shielded by a crowned lion on the left and a Cossack in traditional dress on the right, with the crown of Volodymyr the Great at its peak.

The symbol variations are present in the number of cultures and religions. Trident is one of the basic universal symbols meaning three substances forming the Universe: astral water - the female basis (right part of the Trident), astral fire - the male basis (left part) and the Child - the Universe itself (middle part). All three are in the unbreakable unity.

The Ukrainian Anthem

The lyrics to the national anthem “Ukraine Has Not Yet Perished” were written in autumn 1862 by the poet Pavlo Chubynsky and the music was composed a year later by Greek-Catholic priest Mykhailo Verbytsky. The first public presentation took place in 1864 in the Ukrainian People’s Theatre in Lviv. The catchy melody and patriotic words made this song immensely popular and so widely known that Chubynsky’s friends had to defend his authorship and prove that it was not a folk song.