Did you know that the first flag of the Greek Revolution ...

D. Ypsilanti accompagné de deux aides de Camp donne des ordres au porte étendard de Colocotroni. French lithograph, 1822 D. Ypsilanti accompagné de deux aides de Camp donne des ordres au porte étendard de Colocotroni. French lithograph, 1822 Prints collections, NHM.
... raised by Alexander Ypsilantis in Iaşi, had the same color as the one proposed by Rigas Velestinlis?
In 1797, Rigas described the coloring of the flag of the "Hellenic Republic" in the draft of his Constitution: “The banners and colours are of three colours, black, white and red; the red is above, the white is in the middle and the black is below. – Red indicates the imperial purple and the sovereignty of the Greek People; – White indicates the innocence and our rights against Tyranny. – Black indicates our death for our Country and Freedom.”

Nikolaos Ypsilantis, Alexander’s brother, proposed in 1820 the tricolor flag of the Revolution in the Military Organization of December 31st. It had the mythical Phoenix, a symbol of rebirth and a cross with the inscription “ΕΝ ΤΟΥΤΩ ΝΙΚΑ” (In this sign, conquer), a Christian symbol of faith and the fight’s justice. Demetrios Ypsilantis came to Greece with a similar flag under which the first regular army of Joseph Balest was formed. Variations of the flag were raised in several places of revolutionary Greece. In 1822 with the “Provisional Regime of Greece” (proclamation no. 540) and with the proposal of Alexandros Mavrokordatos the blue and white flag was established as the official Greek flag, replacing any other flag bearing symbols of the Filiki Eteria. In April 1822 Demetrios Ypsilantis noted in this regard: “I have never opposed nor do I oppose to the form and color of the flag. I believe that the salvation of Greece will not come from the colors, but from the deeds and the apathetic and sincere devotion to the common benefit and glory of the nation.”

 

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