When did Ukraine adopt the blue and yellow flag?

It was used by the Ukrainian People's Republic in 1917 and 1918, banned under Soviet rule, and restored as the state flag after Ukraine declared independence in 1991. Ukraine marks its Day of the National Flag on 23 August.

What is the difference between the Ukrainian flag and the tryzub?

The flag is the blue and yellow banner. The tryzub is the golden trident on a blue shield that serves as Ukraine's coat of arms. They share the same colors and are often shown together.

The Ukrainian Flag: Meaning, Colors and History

Q: What do the colors of the Ukrainian flag mean?

The blue band represents a clear sky and peace, and the yellow band represents Ukraine's fields of ripe wheat. Blue and gold also appeared in Ukrainian heraldry for centuries before becoming the national flag.

Q: Which way up does the Ukrainian flag go?

Blue is always on top and yellow below. When the flag is hung vertically, the blue band should be on the viewer's left.

Dima Grama

Sep 16

2 min read

Since 2022, the blue and yellow Ukrainian flag has appeared on balconies, in stadiums, at protests and on clothing all over the world. It is simple, instantly recognizable and full of meaning. Here is what the Ukrainian flag stands for, where it comes from, and how people display it today.

What do the colors of the Ukrainian flag mean?

The Ukrainian flag has two equal horizontal bands: light blue on top and yellow below. The most widely shared reading is a landscape: a clear blue sky above endless fields of ripe wheat. That image speaks directly to Ukraine's identity as one of the world's great grain-growing countries, and to peace above a fertile land.

The colors are also much older than that interpretation. Blue and gold appeared on the coats of arms of medieval Ruthenian and Galician nobility, and the pairing carried through centuries of Ukrainian heraldry before it became a national flag.

A short history of the flag of Ukraine

The blue and yellow banner was raised as a national flag during the short-lived Ukrainian People's Republic in 1917 and 1918. Under Soviet rule it was banned, and displaying it could bring serious punishment. When Ukraine declared independence in 1991, the flag was restored as the state flag, and 23 August is now marked as Ukraine's Day of the National Flag.

Which way up does the Ukrainian flag go?

Blue always goes on top and yellow underneath. Reversed, it becomes a different flag entirely, so it is worth checking before you hang one. When flown vertically, the blue band should be on the left as the viewer looks at it.

The flag and the tryzub

Ukraine's other great symbol is the tryzub, the golden trident on a blue shield that serves as the national coat of arms. The two symbols share the same colors and are often used together on flags, pins, shirts and hats.

Ways to show the Ukrainian flag every day

Not everyone can fly a flag from a window, but the colors travel well. Blue and yellow shirts, hoodies, hats, tote bags and mugs all carry the same message in ordinary settings: at work, on the school run, at a march. Choosing them from a shop that fundraises for Ukraine means the symbol also does practical work.

At We Ukraine, every order supports Ukraine, and shipping is free worldwide. Browse the shop to find blue and yellow pieces you will actually wear and use.