Flags, coats of arms and anthems — Russian Empire

Flags and coats of arms

Flags

1705–1858 White-blue-red merchant flag In 1705 Peter I introduced the white-blue-red flag for merchant ships. There was no separate state flag at the time, but these colours gradually came to be seen as Russian.

1858–1883 Black-yellow-white flag In 1858 Alexander II approved a flag in the colours of the state arms: black for the eagle, yellow for the gold field and white for Saint George. It decorated the streets on holidays but never became popular.

1883–1917 White-blue-red flag In 1883 Alexander III ordered buildings to be decorated with white-blue-red flags on festive days, and in 1896 these colours were officially recognised as national.

Coats of arms

1700–1856 Double-headed eagle A double-headed eagle under three crowns holding a sceptre and orb, with Saint George on a shield on its breast. The design was not strictly fixed and changed from ruler to ruler; collectors use its shape to tell coin types apart.

1857–1917 Lesser state coat of arms In 1857 the Greater, Middle and Lesser state arms designed under Bernhard Köhne were approved, and their drawings were updated in 1882–1883. The eagle's wings carry the shields of the kingdoms and grand duchies that made up the empire.

Anthems

1833–1917 · God Save the Tsar!

Music: Alexei Lvov · Words: Vasily Zhukovsky

The first official anthem of Russia: Alexei Lvov wrote the music in 1833 at the request of Nicholas I. Before it, the role of an anthem was played by "Let the Thunder of Victory Rumble!" to Derzhavin's verses and Zhukovsky's "Prayer of the Russians" sung to the tune of the British anthem.

1915 recording: choir and orchestra of the St Petersburg Philharmonic Society

Lyrics (in the original language)

Боже, Царя храни!
Сильный, державный,
Царствуй на славу, на славу нам!
Царствуй на страх врагам,
Царь православный!
Боже, Царя храни!