Private flag of Bogdan Hmelnitsky

A fragment (the main part) of the private flag of Bogdan Hmelnitsky photographed on Wednesday, January 12, 2004 in Kiev. That day a solemn ceremony was devoted to the meet of this national relic – the pivotal attribute of hetman’s power. The flag was delivered from Military museum of Stockholm (Sweden). It was found in Sweden as a trophy of Swedish army during the second Polish-Swedish war (“Potop”) of 1655-1660. The belonging of the flag to Bogdan Hmelnitsky is verified by the abbreviation of his name and hetman’s title “BHGEKMVZ” (Bogdan Hmel'nickij Getman Ego Korolevskoj Milosti Vojska Zaporozhskogo). The flag is approximately made in 1649, probably from flax; it colored white with a crimson list by natural dyestuffs. It is planned that the flag of Bogdan Hmelnitsky will be used at the inauguration ceremony of new President of Ukraine. Photo by Alexander Sinitsa / UNIAN