About state symbols of the Republic of Kazakhstan
“State symbols are one of the firm foundations of our state and our sovereignty. They express a sacred unifying image of Independence”
The Constitutional Law “On state symbols of the Republic of Kazakhstan” was adopted on June 4, 2007 (full text of the law). In accordance with this Law, every June 4 is celebrated as the Day of State Symbols in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
State symbols are one of the essential attributes of any state representing its identity and sovereignty. In the Republic of Kazakhstan, the state symbols are the State Flag, the State Emblem and the National Anthem.
The State Flag of the Republic of Kazakhstan
The State Flag of the Republic of Kazakhstan is a rectangular blue cloth with the image of the sun with rays in the center, under which is a soaring eagle. The flagpole has a vertical stripe with national ornament. The image of the sun, its rays, an eagle and a national ornament is in gold.
The author of the State Flag of the Republic of Kazakhstan is honored artist of Kazakhstan Shaken Niyazbekov.
The flag is one of the main symbols of the state representing its sovereignty and identity. The term “flag” derives from the Dutch word “vlag”. A flag is a banner of fixed sizes and colors attached to a pole or cord, usually with a coat of arms or emblem on it. Since ancient times, the flag has served the function of uniting the people of the country and identifying them with a certain state entity.
The state flag of independent Kazakhstan was officially adopted in 1992. Its author is the artist Shaken Niyazbekov.
The State Flag of the Republic of Kazakhstan is a rectangular blue cloth with the image of the sun with rays in the center, under which is a soaring eagle. The flagpole has a vertical stripe with national ornament. The image of the sun, its rays, an eagle and a national ornament is in gold. The ratio of the flag’s width to its length is 1: 2.
In the traditions of heraldry, each color symbolizes a certain concept. So, the sky-blue color symbolizes honesty, loyalty and perfection. In addition, the sky-blue color has a deep symbolic meaning in the Turkic culture. The ancient Turkic peoples always worshipped the sky as their God, and their blue-sky flag symbolized devotion to father ancestor. On the national flag of Kazakhstan, it symbolizes the clear sky, peace and prosperity, and the monotony of the background symbolizes the unity of our country.
Based on the heraldic canons, the sun symbolizes wealth and abundance, life and energy. Therefore, the rays of the sun on the country’s flag have the shape of a grain – a symbol of prosperity and well-being. The image of the sun in the state attributes of Kazakhstan confirms its commitment to universal values and indicates that the new young state is full of life-affirming energy and is open to all countries of the world for partnership and cooperation.
The image of the eagle (golden eagle) is one of the main heraldic attributes that have long been used in the coats of arms and flags of many nations. This image is usually perceived as a symbol of power, insight, and generosity. Soaring under the sun, the golden eagle represents the strength of the state, its sovereignty and independence, the desire for high goals and a sustainable future. The image of the golden eagle occupies a special place in the worldview of the Eurasian nomads. It is associated with such notions as freedom and fidelity, sense of dignity and courage, strength and purity of thoughts. The stylized silhouette of the golden eagle reflects the desire of a young sovereign state to reach the heights of world civilization.
An important element of the state flag is a vertical stripe with a national ornament located at its flagpole. Kazakh ornament is one of the forms of specific artistic perception of the world in strict accordance with the aesthetic tastes of the people. Representing the harmony of various forms and lines, it is an expressive means of revealing the inner world of the people. The national ornament along the flagpole symbolizes the culture and traditions of the people of Kazakhstan.
The State Emblem of the Republic of Kazakhstan
The State Emblem of the Republic of Kazakhstan has the shape of a circle and is an image of a shanyrak on a blue background, from which uyks radiate in all directions in the form of sun rays. To the right and left of the shanyrak are images of mythical winged horses. In the upper part, there is a three-dimensional five-pointed star, and in the lower part, there is the inscription “Kazakhstan”. The image of the star, shanyrak, uyks, mythical horses, as well as the inscription “Kazakhstan” are in gold.
The authors of the State Emblem of the Republic of Kazakhstan are well-known architects Zhandarbek Malibekov and Shot-Aman Ualikhanov.
The emblem is one of the main symbols of the state. The term “герб” (emblem) comes from the German word “erbe” (inheritance) and means a hereditary distinctive sign – a combination of figures and objects that are given a symbolic meaning.
History shows that even the nomads of the bronze age, who lived on the territory of modern Kazakhstan, identified themselves with a special symbol – totem, the graphic expression of which later received the name “tamga”. This term was first used in the Turkic Khaganate.
The state emblem of independent Kazakhstan was officially adopted in 1992. Its authors are well-known architects Zhandarbek Malibekov and Shot-Aman Ualikhanov.
The State Emblem of the Republic of Kazakhstan has the shape of a circle (wheel) – a symbol of life and eternity, which was particularly honored among the nomads of the great steppe.
The central heraldic element in the State Emblem is the image of shanyrak (the upper arched part of the yurt) on a blue background, from which uyks (supports) radiate in all directions in the form of sun rays. To the right and left of the shanyrak are images of mythical winged horses. In the upper part, there is a three-dimensional five-pointed star, and in the lower part, there is the inscription “Kazakhstan”. The image of the star, shanyrak, uyks, mythical horses, as well as the inscription “Kazakhstan” are in gold.
Shanyrak is the main system-forming part of the yurt that resembles a sky dome and is one of the key elements of life structure in the traditional culture of Eurasian nomads. In the State Emblem of the republic, the image of shanyrak is a symbol of a common home and a single homeland for all the peoples living in the country. The stable development of Kazakhstan depends on the well-being of every citizen, just as the strength and stability of shanyrak depends on the reliability of all its uyks (supports).
Winged mythical horses – tulpars in the state emblem are the key heraldic element. The image of a horse from time immemorial represents such concepts as courage, loyalty and strength. The wings symbolize the centuries-old dream of the multinational people of Kazakhstan to build a strong and prosperous state. They testify to pure thoughts and aspiration to successive and constructive development. The golden wings of the horses also resemble golden wheat heads and represent the hard work of the people of Kazakhstan and the material well-being of the country.
In centuries past, the horns were often used during ceremonial rites of nomads as well as a finial to their fighting banners. Images of heavenly grace, earthly fertility and military luck in the form of horns of various animals have always occupied significant places in the symbolic compositions of various peoples. Thus, a winged horse with a horn is an important typological image that has deep semantic and historical roots.
Another detail in the State Emblem of the republic is a five-pointed star. This symbol has been used by mankind since ancient times and represents the constant desire of people to the light of truth, to everything sublime and eternal. The image of the star in the state emblem reflects the desire of Kazakhstanis to create a country open to cooperation and partnership with all peoples of the world. The hearts and embraces of Kazakhstan residents are open to representatives of all five continents.
The main color used in the state emblem is the color of gold, which serves as a symbol of wealth, justice and generosity. Another color used is the color of the flag – sky blue, which is in harmony with the color of gold and symbolizes the clear sky, peace and well-being.
The National Anthem of the Republic of Kazakhstan
The national anthem of Kazakhstan, previously known as the song “Menin Kazakstanym”, was approved by the country’s Parliament on January 6, 2006, on the initiative of President Nursultan Nazarbayev. It was first performed on January 11, 2006, during the inauguration of the Head of State.
Music – Shamshi Kaldayakov, lyrics –Zhumeken Nazhimedenov and Nursultan Nazarbayev.
The anthem is one of the main symbols of the state. The term “hymn” comes from the Greek word “gimneo” and means a “solemn song”. The anthem serves as an important sound symbol that is of key importance for effective socio-political consolidation and ethnocultural identification of the country’s citizens.
In the history of independent Kazakhstan, the National Anthem of the country was approved twice – in 1992 and in 2006.
After the republic gained state sovereignty in 1992, a competition was announced for the music and lyrics of the national anthem of Kazakhstan. Following the results of the competition, it was decided to keep the musical version of the anthem of the Kazakh SSR. Thus, the authors of the music of the first Kazakh anthem were Mukan Tulebayev, Yevgeny Brusilovsky and Latif Hamidi. The competition for the best text was also won by the author’s team represented by famous poets: Muzafar Alimbayev, Kadyr Myrzaliyev, Tumanbay Moldagaliyev and Zhadyra Daribayeva.
In order to popularize the country’s sound symbols, a new national anthem was adopted in 2006. It was based on the popular patriotic song “Menin Kazakstanym”. It was written in 1956 by Shamshi Kaldayakov based on the poems of Zhumeken Nazhimedenov. To give the song a high status of the National Anthem and a more solemn sound, President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev has finalized the original text. The Parliament of Kazakhstan at a joint session of the chambers on January 6, 2006 amended the Decree “On state symbols” and approved the new national anthem of the country.
Authors of the words: Zhumeken Nazhimedenov, Nursultan Nazarbayev
Author of the music Shamshi Kaldayakov
Алтын күн аспаны,
Алтын дән даласы,
Ежелден ер деген,
Даңқымыз шықты ғой.
Қазағым мықты ғой!
Менің елім, менің елім,
Гүлің болып егілемін,
Жырың болып төгілемін, елім!
Туған жерім менің - Қазақстаным!
Ұрпаққа жол ашқан,
Кең байтақ жерім бар.
Тәуелсіз елім бар.
Қарсы алған уақытты,
Біздің ел бақытты,
Біздің ел осындай!
Менің елім, менің елім,
Гүлің болып егілемін,
Жырың болып төгілемін, елім!
Туған жерім менің - Қазақстаным!