Honor to the Tricolor!

CHISINAU, April 27, 2012 — The Ministry’s of Defense and the National Army Main Staff personnel marked the State Flag Day during a military ceremony held Friday, April 27, at the Ministry of Defense.

The sanctification of the State Flag and the Tricolor masting were they key elements of the event. During the ceremony, the State Flag was carried and anchored by four servicemen. The corners of the flag were tied to the chord of the mast and a group of priests made a divine service and prayed.

Minister of Defense Vitalie Marinuta kneeled in front of the flag and kissed it accompanied by the Republic of Moldova anthem.

The Minister of Defense stated the Tricolor is the symbol of statehood and independence of the Republic of Moldova. Rendering honor to the flag is sacred for the National Army servicemen.

“The National Army servicemen show great respect for the state flag that symbolizes for us the fight for freedom of our nation. I would like all citizens of the Republic of Moldova to respect the state flag, because to honor the Tricolor means honoring the country you were born in”, the Defense Minister pointed out.

It is worth mentioning that, today, similar Republic of Moldova flag masting ceremonies were held in all the military units of the National Army from Chisinau, Balti, Cahul and Ungheni. There were organized some events teaching about the history of the Tricolor, as well as exhibitions.

The Republic of Moldova State Flag represents a rectangular cloth formed of three equal-sized colored parts. The colors are arranged vertically in the following order from the flagpole: blue, yellow and red. The coat of arms is printed on the central yellow stripe of the tricolor. The blue color symbolizes people’s hope for a better life. Yellow symbolizes the field of harvest highlighting people’s welfare. The red color reminds us of the blood of heroes that fought for freedom.

The Republic of Moldova State Flag is similar to the one of Andorra and Chad, but obviously has nothing to do with them. It is also almost identical to the flag of Romania, but differs from the point of view of breadth and length (1:2 — of the Republic of Moldova and 2:3 — of Romania), the blue color (cobalt in Romania) and the presence of the Republic of Moldova coat of arms on the yellow color.

The Republic of Moldova National Flag Day is celebrated on April 27. The holiday was established by the Chisinau Parliament on April 23, 2010. The Tricolor was officially declared as a state flag by the first Parliament staff on April 27, 1990.