According to the Polish Constitution, the symbols of Poland are: The coat of arms (left), the Polish flag (white on top and red on bottom), and the national anthem of Poland (Mazurek Dąbrowskiego).
According to legend, the view extending wings of an eagle against a red sky of the sunset had lead founder of the state Polan, Lech, to settle in Gniezno (the first Polish settlement). Since then, the eagle has been used on coins, stamps, flags and shields by all Polish monarchs and leaders. There was a change, however, to the coat of arms after the war when the communists where in power in Poland. The golden crown was removed for over 40 years to remove the 'symbol of monarchy'. The crown was restored in 1989 as a result of political transformation in Poland that was led by Lech Wałęsa, the Solidarity leader.
The Polish flag colours were always white and red. White on top and red on the bottom. Although, the flag was being used for centuries, the current flag colours and sizes were established in 1918, after Poland regained its independence from Prussia, Russian and Austria. Since then, the falg of Poland was used by all leaders even during the communist era (1945 - 1989). May 2nd is has been established as the official day of the Polish Flag. Poles around the world hung their flags outside the windows as a sign of respect to Poland.
There are many states and countires with a similar flag to the Polish flag. These include: Czech Republic (Bohemia) as the land, Czechoslovakia, Upper Austria, Cantabria, Thuringia, Tyrol, Monaco, Indonesia and Vienna.
The Polish National Anthem of Poland, Mazurek Dąbrowskiego (named after Jan Henryk Dąbrowski), was written by a politician and a soldier Józef Wybicki. Mazurek Dąbrowskiego has been written for the Polish Legions in Italy (7 thousand military formation created after the Third Partition of Poland). The legions were created by Jan Henryk Dąbrowski, a Polish general who led the soldiers to the Polish Independence. For the first time, Mazurek Dąbrowskiego has been song on 20 July 1797. The Mazurek Dąbrowskiego was officially adopted in 1926 as the official Anthem of Poland.
Here is the Anthem is full.
| Current official lyrics |
English
translation
|
| Jeszcze Polska nie zginęła, Kiedy my żyjemy. Co nam obca przemoc wzięła, Szablą odbierzemy.
Będziem Polakami. Dał nam przykład Bonaparte, Jak zwyciężać mamy.
Po szwedzkim zaborze, Dla ojczyzny ratowania Wrócim się przez morze.
Mówi zapłakany — Słuchaj jeno, pono nasi Biją w tarabany.
|
Poland
has not yet perished,
So long as we still live.What the alien force has taken from us, We shall retrieve with a sabre.
We'll
cross the Vistula and
the Warta,
We shall be Polish.Bonaparte has given us the example Of how we should prevail.
Like Czarniecki to Poznań
After the Swedish occupation, To save our homeland, We shall return across the sea.
A
father, in tears,
Says to his Basia Listen, our boys are said To be beating the tarabans.
|
Józef Wybicki
The National Anthem
General Jan Henryk Dąbrowski
This is a great post. I would like to see more posts about the 'current' Poland. Maybe something about elections? Thanks :*
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