UKRAINIAN HERITAGE
UKRAINIAN CULTURAL SYMBOLS AS EMBLEMS OF SUPPORT AND UNITY
Honor Ukraine’s history and cultural heritage and show support and unity against
its aggressors by watching for these Ukrainian National symbols.
Ukrainian Flag
Now internationally recognized, the blue (representing the vast sky) and yellow (representing abundant crops of wheat and sunflowers) flag was once outlawed during the Soviet Union. Redesigned labels incorporate these proud colors.
Ukrainian Coat of Arms
The blue shield and yellow trident (tryzub) is now a common symbol of Ukraine’s struggle against its aggressors. Originating with the first princes of Kyiv in the 900’s, including national founder and patron Sviatoslav The Brave, the striped symbol is said to be a trident, depicting the Holy Trinity or a stylized falcon, incorporating the word воля (volya) or "freedom". It reflects the heroic deeds of the past and present.
Little Bird/Nightingale
Ukraine’s national animal is the ПТАХА (Ptaha) or “little bird”, referring to the common nightingale. Ukrainians view this small bird with its deep, melodious song as the harbinger of spring and a builder of homes.
The legend says long ago these little birds lived only in India, but once, one came to Ukraine and heard the people singing sad songs. The nightingale sang to cheer them up, and the Ukrainians answered with happy songs. Now nightingales return every spring to Ukraine to hear Ukrainian songs.
Today, the little bird with the loud song is a sign of love, happiness, and all good things and a symbol of freedom, independence, and rebuilding.
Embroidery Patterns/Vyshyvanka
Ukraine’s national dress embodies вишива́нка (vyshyvanka) or embroidery. Each region of Ukraine is unique in its vyshyvanka pattern. Although codes and sacred meanings embedded in patterns differ, vyshyvanka emphasizes the person’s luck and ability to survive in any situation. It shows a sense of belonging and unity.
Sunflowers
Ukraine’s national flower was a native, North American food crop, initially used to replace butter during Orthodox lent. By the 1800’s sunflowers dominated Ukrainian fields becoming icons of love, joy, and prosperity as each morning the sunflowers turned to the sun’s rising. Now, sunflowers symbolize a hopeful future world – a return to peace and prosperity that is the opposite of the destruction and suffering experience by the Ukrainian people.
