CIRCA - 1834 🇷🇴 - vertical tricolor of blue (hoist-side), yellow (middle) & red (fly-side) equal bands
HISTORY: A horizontal variant of the tricolor was 1st prominent during the unsuccessful 1848 revolution against Russia, as
a symbol of regional unity & independence (partly inspired by the revolutionary French tricolore🔍.)
The standard evolved from the 1831 red-yellow bicolor of (Romanian) Wallachia & tricolor war
ensigns (with blue🔍 added in 1834,) all drawn from regional medieval heraldic banners (~16c)
In 1849 Wallachia briefly returned to a bicolor (now yellow & blue,) then added the red back
for the newly United Moldavia &Wallachia. Switching order for a time to red-yellow-blue and
went through multiple versions of added coats of arms & motto's, over the next century.
It turned vertical when the modern, plain, now solely Romanian standard, was 1st flown, from 1867 through 1948. This variant
was then reinstated in 1989 after protesters removed the added communist-era coat of arms.
VEXILLOLOGY:* Representing regional cohesion & a composite identity plus the fight for independence, the flag is primarily
associated with revolutionary ideals, but also carries ancient Dacian folk links, predating 1848, to nature.
The BLUE Band was historically associated with Transylvania where it evoked the sky & vigilance of the Romanian spirit. It came to represent FREEDOM in the 19c, placed hoist-side, emphasizing liberty as the paramount value of the revolution
The YELLOW of Wallachia, was for the sun ☀️ & golden wheat 🌾 fields, prosperity & agricultural (economic) JUSTICE
The RED Band associated with historic Moldavia, represents for the fertile earth, blood 🩸 of martyrs, the ardor of the people defending the homeland & fraternity. Symbolism only slightly shifted in the 19c to honor revolutionary bloodshed, sacrifice & fraternity.