ABKHAZIA
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Abkhazia, as a
duchy (saeristavo) within Georgia, was ruled by the clan of Shervashidze
(Sharvashidze, Chachba, or Sharashia) since the 12th century. The Genoese established
their trading factories along the Abkhazian coastline in the 14th century,
but they functioned for a short time. When the Georgian kingdom was embroiled
in a bitter civil war in the 1450s, the Shervashidzes joined a major
rebellion against King George VIII of Georgia, which saw him
defeated at the hands of the rebels at Chikhori in 1463. As a result, Georgia split into
three rival kingdoms and five principalities. The Abkhazian princes were the
vassals of Mingrelia,
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which, in turn,
was subordinated to the Kingdom of Imereti. In the 16th century, after
the break-up of the Georgian Kingdom into small kingdoms and principalities,
the Principality of Abkhazia (a vassal of
the Kingdom of Imereti) emerged, ruled by the Shervashidze
dynasty (also known as Sharvashidze, or Chachba). Since the 1570s, when the
Ottoman navy occupied the fort of Tskhumi,
Abkhazia came under the influence of the Ottoman Empire and the majority of
Abkhazians were converted to Islam. The principality retained a degree of
autonomy under Ottoman and then Russian rule, but it was eventually absorbed
into the Russian Empire in 1864. The Russian
Revolution of 1917 led to the creation of an independent Georgia which
included Abkhazia, in 1918. German support enabled the Georgians to repel the
Bolshevik threat from Abkhazia in 1918. The 1921 constitution granted
Abkhazia autonomy. In 1921, the
Red Army invaded Georgia and ended its short-lived independence. Abkhazia was
made a Socialist Soviet Republic (SSR
Abkhazia) with the ambiguous status of a treaty republic
associated with the Georgian SSR. Abkhazia's ambiguous status of a
"contractual republic" was written down into that republic’s April
1, 1925 Constitution which specified that "the SSR of Abkhazia, having
united with the SSR of Georgia on the basis of a special treaty of
union" was, through it, a part of the Transcaucasian SFSR and the USSR.
However, the 1924 Soviet Constitution earlier referred to Abkhazia as an
autonomous republic. On February 19, 1931, Abkhazia’s republican status was
downgraded by Joseph Stalin, to that of an autonomous republic (the Abkhaz Autonomous Soviet
Socialist Republic or in short Abkhaz ASSR) within the Georgian SSR,
reputedly as punishment of the Abkhaz Communist leadership under Nestor
Lakoba for their failure to overcome the peasants' resistance to
collectivization After the
collapse of the Soviet Union and the proclamation of Georgia’s independence,
Georgia's ruling Military Council announced on 21 February 1992 that it was
abolishing the Soviet-era constitution and restoring the 1921 Constitution of
the Democratic Republic of Georgia. Many Abkhaz interpreted this as an
abolition of their autonomous status, although the 1921 constitution
contained a provision for the region's autonomy. On 23 July 1992, the Abkhaz
faction in the republic's Supreme Council declared effective independence
from Georgia. Helped by Russian forces this faction could oust the Georgians
out of Abkhasia in August 2008. Its independence was recognised uniquely by
Russia on 26 August following. There are
currently two entities claiming to be the government of Abkhazia, the
partially recognised Republic of Abkhazia and the
pro-Georgia Autonomous Republic
of Abkhazia. |
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The Abkhazians
call their state Аҧсны
(Apsny), which means “a Country of Soul”. The Russian Абхазия
(Abkhazia) is adapted from the Georgian აფხაზეთი (Apkhazeti). In Mingrelian, Abkhazia is known as აბჟუა (Abzhua) or სააფხაზო (saapkhazo). The classical christian symbols of the square cross
and the latin cross were also used in Abkhazia. A square cross of Georgian
fashion is known from the region from the 11th century. With it is a tamgha,
or Royal cypher of the style common in the Kumenian empire of the time.
Square cross and tamgha
of King George II (1072-’89) [2] |
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In the 14th
century Book of Knowledge is written: “I departed from the Sea of Letana and proceeded
along the shores of the eastern side of the Mare Mayor for a very long
distance, passing by Aruasaxia, and Pesonta in the empire of Uxleto, and
arrived in the kingdom of Sant Estropoli wich is inhabited by Comanes
Christians. Here there are many people who have Jewish descent, but all
perform the works of Christians in the sacrifices, more after the Greek than
the Latin church. The King has for his flag - gules a hand argent.” [3] |
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White hand flag. From the Book of Knowledge |
On the portolan of Guillem Soler, 1385 L.: savaſtopolli |
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This flag may have
been the ensign of the Abkasians in the 13th or 14th century but cannot be
connected with any ruler because after the death of Dardan Shirvarhidze in
1243 sources keep silent about Abkhazia for a long time. It should be noted
in this context that a hand occured in the Roman Empire as a crest on army
standards an was later adopted by the Arabs who developed it into the “Hamza”
or “Hand of Fatima” symbolizing the five muslim principles of faith. So, probably,
the Abkhasia hand was the ensign of the Muslim armed forces in Abkhazia. This
flag disappeared before the end of the 14th century in the time of the
campaigns of Timur Lenk (1395). From the 14th
century, however, when the Genoese established trading factories along the
Abkhasian coastline, other flags are known showing the Armenian cross and a
bendy Vert and Argent. This, for sure, has been the ensign of the forces of
Armenian creed. According to
the sea-charts known, this flag was used until the middle of the 15th century
when the Georgian Kingdom had been partitioned between the sons of Alexander
I in 1424.[4] |
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Angelino Dulcerta, 1329-1350 L.: ſavaſtopoli |
Angelino Dulcerta 1339 L.: ſavaſtopoli |
Gabriel Valseca, 1439 L.: ſavaſtopoli |
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After 1463 the Abkhasian rulers became governors of
Mingrelia as Imeretian vassals and after 1570 when the Ottoman Empire
established its influence in Abkhazia a flag of Mingrelia is seen consisting
of a green split cloth charged with a silver crescent and three golden
horse-shoes.
Flag of “Mengralia” on the map of the Black Sea by
Diego Homem, 1559 L.: ſavaſtopoli This is the flag of the Eyâlet Abhaz, Sohumkale or
Gürcistan which was nominally annexed but never properly conquered by the
Ottomans. It consisted of Mingrelia and Imereti. This Eyâlet disappeared
before 1609. [5]
Emblem of Abkhazeti, middle of the 18th century From
the work of Prince Vakhusth [6] This emblem, consisting of a billy goat on a green
field and three crescents in chief, dates from the time that Abkhazeti was
brought for a short time more closely within the Ottoman sphere. |
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1810-1866 |
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Abkhazia came under Russian protection
17 February 1810 through Prince
Giorgi Shirvashidze (1810-’21). His son Michael was was deposed by the Russians and his principality annexed
to the Russian Empire, on 24 June 1864.
Michael himself was deported to Voronezh where he died in 1866. The territory
was again occupied by the Ottomans in 1877.
Achievement of H.S.H. Giorgi, Prince of Abkhazia. Arms: Azure, two caps crested with eight-pointed sun-emblems Or Crest: A crown of three leaves and three ostrich-feathers Azure-Or and
Azure. Supporters: Two griffins Or. Mantle: Gules, lined ermine, fringed and tasseled Or, and ducally crowned. By decree of 1883 of Tsar Alexander the
Abkhaz, Samurzakan and Tsebeldu regions (oblasts)
were united into the Kutais
Governorate General. No coat of arms of the Abkhaz region with its capital
Suchumi is known. |
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Abkhazkaya S.S.R. / C.C.P. Aбхазии |
31.03.1921-19.02.1931 |
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1921 Arms: Gules, a hammer and a sickle in saltire Or. Garland: Ears of Wheat, Or Motto: ПРОЛЕТРИИ
ВСЕХ СТРАН
СОЕДИНЯЙТЕСЬ! Legend: Сов[етская]
Соц[иалистическая]
Республика Абхазии This
achievement is identical with the first achievement of the Russian Federation
with a changed legend. |
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1925 Arms: The Black Sea coast and a mountain range
respresenting the Caucasus, charged in base with a hammer and sickle in
saltire Or, in chief the inistials C.C.P.
and in base the name АҦСНЫ Crest: A five-pointed star Or, voided Gules. Garland: A golden circlet surrounded by dexter
flowering maize, and sinister tobacco. In chief a sun radiant Or and in base
a bunch of grapes and wine leaves proper. Motto: АПРОΛЕТАРЦА АtѴΛАУҚА ЗЕȓѴ РҼѴ ЇϥОУ ЩҼЇДѴЩКѴΛ! (Proletarians of all Nations Unite! in
abkasian) in golden scripts on a birdure Gules. |
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Black-and-white
version |
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Аҧснытәи A.C.C.P. / afxazeoix axxrAA |
19.02.1931-1990 |
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In full: Аҧснытәи
Автономтә
Советтә
Социалисттә
Республика /
Абхазская
Автономная
Советская
Социалистическая
Республика
1931 Arms: The Black Sea coast and a mountain range
respresenting the Caucasus, charged in base with a hammer and sickle in
saltire Or. Crest: A five-pointed star Or, voided Gules. Garland: A golden circlet surrounded by dexter
flowering maize, and sinister tobacco. In chief a sun radiant Or and in base
a bunch of grapes and wine leaves proper. Motto: afxazeTis AAAAAAAs.s.R. AA/ S.S.R. AѰSNƏ
/ C.C.P. AБХAЗИЯ proletarebo
yvela qveynisa unerTdiT! APRLETAPA ATƏLAQUA ZECƏR IǨOU ШTEЮƏШКƏL! ПРОЛЕТРИИ
ВСЕХ СТРАН
СОЕДИНЯЙТЕСЬ! (Abkhaz
S.S.R. and Proletarians of all Countries Unite! in Abkhazian, Georgian and
Russian) in golden lettering on a bordure Gules. By Constitution, 27th of October 1926. Art.
101.[7]
1931
Black-and-white version |
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1938 Arms: Gules, a mountainridge
representing the Caucasus proper, charged with a hammer and a sickle in
saltire Or, in chief a five-pointed star also Gules, radiant Argent. Garland: On the dexter ears of wheat and on the
sinister a bunch of grapes and wine-leaves, proper. Motto: Proletarians of all Nations Unite! in
Georgian, Abkhasian and Russian, engraved on a bordure Argent. Bordure: A seven-pointed star decorated in Georgian
ornamental style, Or, Azure and Gules. |
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1954 Arms: Gules, a mountainridge
representing the Caucasus proper, charged with a hammer and a sickle in
saltire Or, in chief a five-pointed star also Gules, radiant Argent. Garland: On the dexter ears of wheat and on the
sinister a bunch of grapes and wine-leaves, proper. Motto: Proletarians of all Nations Unite! in
Georgian, Abkhasian and Russian, separated by three five-pointed stars Or,
engraved on a bordure Argent. Bordure: A seven-pointed star decorated in Georgian
ornamental style, Or, Azure and Gules. |
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1978 Achievement: The achievement of the Georgian S.S.R.
augmented with the letters xab. xxr / Aa ACCP. |
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Autonomous
Republic of Abkhazia |
1990-present |
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The Autonomous Republic
of Abkhazia has recently (2013) been granted arms by the State Council of
Heraldry. These arms are quartered and depict an image of St George in the
first quarter, the seven green and white stripes from the Abkhazia flag in
the second and third quarters and the arms of Prince Giorgi
Mikhailovitch in the
fourth.
Arms: Quarterly: 1. Gules,
St. George slaying the dragon Argent; 2&4: Barry of seven Vert and
Argent; 4. Two caps crested with an eight-pointed sun, Or. Government Emblem The Government
of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia has also adopted a logo which carries
the name of the autonomous republic in Georgian and Abkhaz and depicts the
House of the Government in Sukhumi.
Flag:
The flag is inspired by the flag as on 14th century Catalan portolans. |
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Republic of Abkhasia |
26.08.2008-present |
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The emblem of the Republic of Abkhazia was
adopted by the Supreme Soviet of Abkhazia on 23 July 1992, after it declared
its secession from Georgia. The emblem of
the Republic of Abkhazia is a shield divided vertically into white and green.
On this are placed devices outlined in gold: At the base
eight-pointed star, in the upper part of both the white and the green field
are set two eight-pointed stars. At the centre
of the shield is a horseman, flying on the fabulous steed called Arash, and
shooting an arrow towards the stars. This scene is from the heroic epic Narts. Green symbolizes youth and life, while
white symbolizes spirituality. The stars represent the sun, as well as the
union of the East and West. Æ See illustration in the head of this essay |
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The Flag.
The flag
of the Republic of Abkhazia is inspired by the flags on the Catalan portolans.
It is explained on an Abkhazian site as follows: “The open white palm on the red background is
a symbol of Abkhazian statehood, which was formed at the time of the
Abkhazian Kingdom (VIII-X centuries) and encompasses twelve centuries. Such a
representation is attested on the coloured Genoese portalans (sea-charts) of
the XIII-XIV centuries. A dark-red flag with white palm flew in the Middle
Ages above the town of Sebastopolis (otherwise San-Sebastian and the
classical Dioskuria, which was founded by the ancient Greeks in the VI-V
centuries BC), on which site stands today's capital of Abkhazia, the city of
Sukhum. The seven 5-pointed stars above the palm are
the seven main regions of historical Abkhazia: Sadzen (Dzhigetia), Bzyp,
Gomaa, Abzhwa, Samurzaq'an, Dal-Ts'abal, Pshoy-Aybga. These incorporated the
ethnic territory of the Abkhazians from the River Xost (frontier with the
Ubykhs) down to the River Ingur (frontier with Mingrelia) and from the Black
Sea to the Caucasus Mountains. Apart from this, the number '7' for Abkhazians
(as for many other peoples) is viewed as sacred and is widely attested in
their religion, mythology and traditional culture. Also endowed with esteem
is the constellation known commonly by the title 'The Seven Brothers'. The 5-pointed star is widespread among the
Abkhazians as an ancient astrological symbol. It is found, moreover, on the
antique amphors of the Apsilians, the ancestors of the Abkhazians, mentioned
by Graeco-Roman authors in the I-II centuries AD. At the same time the proportions of the flag,
the number of stars and the sequence of green-white stripes reflect the
fundamental look of the historical flag of the independent North Caucasus
Republic (known in the literature as the Mountain Republic), which was proclaimed
on 11 May 1918 and which existed for one year. At that period seven states
were included in the composition of the Mountain Republic: Daghestan,
Chechen-Ingushia, Ossetia, Abkhazia, Kabarda, Adygheia, Karachay-Balkaria.
However, already in the second half of June l918 Abkhazia, though part of the
Mountain Republic, was occupied (and remained occupied until February l921)
by the military forces of the Georgian Democratic Republic; in February l931,
with the active participation of Stalin and Beria, Abkhazia was annexed by
Soviet Georgia. The green-white sequence of seven stripes
(four green, three white) is an indication of the religious tolerance of the
Caucasian peoples in the minds of whom Islam (the green) peacefully coexists
with Christianity (the white). Abkhazia, as an ancient Christian land from
the IV century, together with two others (Ossetia and Kabarda), was
represented on the flag of the Mountain Republic by a white stripe. The modern flag of the Republic of Abkhazia,
was approved by the Parliament in Sukhum on 23 July l992.” The presidential flag bears the arms of the Republic in the middle:
Abkhazia, Presidential Flag |
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© Hubert de Vries 2014-04-10