In 1699 Tsar Peter I (the Great) of Russia established a civil ensign to be flown by all privately-owned Russian ships. Peter had recently returned from a trip to Western Europe where he acquired many ideas for modernizing his realm. He was particularly impressed by the successes of the Dutch in ship-building and naval affairs in general. Not surprisingly, he modelled his new flag after the tricolor of the Netherlands, horizontal stripes of red-white-blue (see ZFC1045).
Over the years different interpretations have been given to the flag colors. Other Slavic countries -- including Serbia, the Czech Republic, and Slovenia -- later adopted variations of the Russian flag. It was also immensely popular on land in Russia. Although the tsars preferred a tricolor of black-orange-white (to symbolize the imperial dynasty), in 1883 the white-blue-red flag was authorized for use on land.
With the victory of the Bolshevik (Communist) Revolution in Russia in 1917-1920, the flag was suppressed. Only with the growth of opposition to the Soviet Union in 1989-1991 was the old tricolor revived, being officially adopted again on 21 August 1991. The text on the hoist of this example reads "GOST [government] 8498-81." See also collection item ZFC1190.
ZFC Collectible Flag
