CIRCA - 1834 🇲🇩 - vertical tricolor of blue (hoist-side), yellow (middle) & red (fly-side) equal bands with coat of arms centered in the yellow
HISTORY: Inherited from historic Romanian principalities (particularly Wallachia🔍) a horizontal variant of the tricolor was
1st flown, in solidarity with Romania, during the 1848 unsuccessful revolution against Russia, becoming the state flag (with a
lighter blue🔍) in 1917, until being replaced by Soviet standards after 1925.
A vertical version was re-adopted just prior to gaining independence in 1990, with darker shade
of blue restored. And to distinguish it from the otherwise identical Russian tricolor🔍 the national
coat of arms ⛨, derived from 15c Moldavia CoA was added.
VEXILLOLOGY:* Regional colors reflect historical, cultural & ethnic ties to Romania, plus it's coat of arms asserting it's unique
identity + agrarian heritage (against pan-Romanian unification); honored in medieval folklore symbols & Christian heraldry.
The BLUE Band is for liberty - historically meant to evoke the sky /protective heavens; symbolizing vigilance, loyalty & truth + national sovereignty
The YELLOW is for justice - the sun ☀️ & golden wheat 🌾 fields; denoting prosperity & generosity + the heraldic values of virtue & intelligence
The RED Band is for fraternity - fertile earth & blood 🩸 of martyrs + warriors; embodying martial strength, bravery, dedication & valor
The natural-colored 𖤍 EAGLE CoA ⛨ represents military dominion & imperial sovereignty; a Roman🔍 symbol of predatory vigilance & territorial grasp:
The Orthodox † Cross in it's beak = divine sovereignty ⚬ In it's talons; The Scepter 𓐩= authority & The Olive 🌿 Branch = ☮︎ peace
The Aurochs' 𓄀 Head (an extinct wild 'ox' species) on the red & blue Shield ⛉ is emblematic of regional pastoral strength, drawing from early medieval vexilla with the gold aurochs head on a red field. Possibly etymologically linked to the name "Moldova" (deriving from terms for cattle herding.) with:
Military 8-point Brunswick ✷ Star = protection & service ■ ❀ Rose = beauty, love & honor ■ Crescent ⏾ Moon = growth & progress
....all in GOLD - representing sovereignty & divine sanction, (from heraldic tradition as the metal of kingship & heavenly light - underscoring the emperor's role as God's vicar on earth) + purity (from medieval alchemical traditions linking gold to incorruptible perfection)