This Week In Vexillology #68

Last week, we discovered the remote Republic of Tuva- but this week, we're heading west to the interestingly named Chuvash Republic and it's very striking flag:

Naturally, our first order of business:  where the heck is Chuvashia?  Best way I can think of to describe it is this:  find Moscow on a map, put your finger on it and head east in a straight line.  Just  before you get to Kazan, that's Chuvashia.  It's capitol, Cheboksary is right on the River Volga.  (Alternatively, you can always type it into Google Maps, but where's the fun in that?)  Unlike Tuva, which is damn hard to get into and even harder to get too, Wikipedia hastens to assure the potential visitor to Chuvashia that it's transportation network is one of the most developed in Russia- with plenty of roads, rail and air and river transport to go around.

But, now to the flag:  the red base of the flag (interestingly enough, up until the 90s, a misinterpretation of the Russian word for dark red, purpurnyi, originally had the red in this flag depicted as purple.)  stands for the Chuvash land, from which grows the 'Tree of Life'- a symbol of rebirth and the stylized three suns above it are a traditional emblem seen in Chuvash art.   Gold/yellow in the flag represents the future and prosperity.

So there you have it- Chuvashia!  And remember, until next time, keep your flags flying- FREAK or otherwise!