Symbols & Signs in Polish History, Culture & Life

myjustynaThreads: 9 Posts: 29 Joined: Apr 6, 11 ♂	Jun 12, 11, 20:50 #1
Hi there to you all Poles, Please mention the signs or symbols that are of unique significance in Polish history, culture and life. Symbols could be from among colours, animals, art, drinks, food, . . . everything that stands for POLAND.

MaaarysiaThreads: 3 Posts: 541 Joined: Feb 27, 10 ♀	Jun 12, 11, 20:59 #2
Check the symbol "Polska Walcząca"

pawianThreads: 90 Posts: 5,415 Joined: May 30, 08 ♂	Jun 12, 11, 21:07 #3
Maaarysia: Check the symbol "Polska Walcząca" Yes: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kotwica

Des EssientesThreads: 11 Posts: 2,318 Joined: Feb 6, 10 ♂ [Suspended]	Jun 12, 11, 21:07 #4
The white eagle is the greatest symbol Poland because the story behind it, about the first king of Poland learning to respect nature, is one of the wisest and most charming stories ever told. When I see the Polish flag I think of that brave mother eagle's blood stained feathers and I know that despite being red and white the Polish flag is green.

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Jun 12, 11, 21:11 #5

The banner of Kościuszko Uprising that glorifies Polish peasants:
http://pl.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Plik:Banner_of_Ko%C5%9Bciusz ko_Uprising.PNG&filetimestamp=20100312140810
It says: they provide food and defend.
It was used for example by the 303 fighter squadron:
http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dywizjon_303

The symbol of Polish Winged Hussars is also characteristic:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/00/Polish-1st-Armd-Div-Badg e.jpg

Speaking of animals, the drawing of Wojtek the bear is used:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Wojtek_soldier_bear.png

If you want to look towards painters, then look for Malczewski, Matejko, Kossaks.

MaaarysiaThreads: 3 Posts: 541 Joined: Feb 27, 10 ♀	Edited by: Maaarysia Jun 12, 11, 21:16 #6
RobertLee: The symbol of Polish Winged Hussars is also characteristic: he can also check crow's thread where he posted many nuce pictures od husaria: Racowie - opowieść o lojalności Polska RobertLee: Speaking of animals So maybe also the turtle graffiti ("pracuj Polaku powoli" - Pole, work slowly!) source in Polish: http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pracuj_Polaku_powoli

RobertLeeThreads: 12 Posts: 133 Joined: May 26, 11 ♂	Jun 12, 11, 21:44 #7
Also, various buildings and monuments are characteristic Polish symbols: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigismund%27s_Column http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warszawska_Syrenka http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chopin_Statue,_Warsaw

pawianThreads: 90 Posts: 5,415 Joined: May 30, 08 ♂	Jun 12, 11, 22:27 #8
RobertLee: Also, various buildings and monuments are characteristic Polish symbols: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigismund%27s_Column http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warszawska_Syrenka http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chopin_Statue,_Warsaw And Palace:

myjustynaThreads: 9 Posts: 29 Joined: Apr 6, 11 ♂	Jun 12, 11, 22:57 #9
pawian What is this, then!!?? What palace? Des Essientes: the Polish flag is green. Why is the Polish flag green? +++ Everybody! One more question: Which one is Poland's symbol: White stork or white eagle?? Both?? AND they must be white?

pawianThreads: 90 Posts: 5,415 Joined: May 30, 08 ♂	Edited by: pawian Jun 12, 11, 23:08 #10
myjustyna: What is this, then!!?? What palace? The Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw: See the gadgets on the right myjustyna: Which one is Poland's symbol: White stork or white eagle?? Both?? Yes! myjustyna: AND they must be white? Storks must be white to be a symbol When black, they are not a symbol anymore. They are black sheep:

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Edited by: Des Essientes Jun 12, 11, 23:28 #11

myjustyna:

Why is the Polish flag green?

The story of the white eagle is as follows: The first King of Poland enjoyed falconry and he decided that if falcons and hawks could be trained to hunt, for people, then perhaps eagles could be so trained as well. He located a white eagle's nest that contained young eaglets and he climbed up to steal one. Upon reaching the nest the mother eagle stood in front of her young and fought the king as he tried to grab an eaglet. The king drew his dagger and pricked the mother eagle in the chest thinking that she would fly away and thereby allow him to get the eaglet he sought, but the brave mother eagle still fought on despite the red blood staining her white feathers. The king became ashamed of himself and he relented, and out of admiration for this noble bird's defense of her young he proclaimed that from then on the white eagle would be the symbol of Poland and the Polish flag would be red and white because those were the colors of the white eagle's bloody breast. I said that the Polish flag is therefore green in the sense that green is the symbolic color of those who have decided to respect nature as this king decided to do when he climbed down from that eagle's nest leaving the eaglets to grow up wild and free.

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Edited by: Des Essientes Jun 12, 11, 23:53 #12

RobertLee:

Polish kings were also involved in the protection of Aurochs:

Indeed, Arthur Schopenhauer even criticized this attempt to stave off the extinction of the aurochs in the second volume of his great work The World As Will And Representation. He wrote "But to inflict the punishment of death for shooting an aurochs, as is done in Poland, is too much, for the preservation of the species of the aurochs must not be purchased with human life." (Chapter XLVII On Ethics)

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Jun 13, 11, 00:00 #13

Des Essientes:

Indeed, Arthur Schopenhauer even criticized this attempt to stave off the extinction of the aurochs in the second volume of his great work The World As Will And Representation. He wrote "But to inflict the punishment of death for shooting an aurochs, as is done in Poland, is too much, for the preservation of the species of the aurochs must not be purchased with human life." (Chapter XLVII On Ethics)

Perhaps he meant Wisent cause the last Aurochs died in 1627.

Des EssientesThreads: 11 Posts: 2,318 Joined: Feb 6, 10 ♂ [Suspended]	Edited by: Des Essientes Jun 13, 11, 00:03 #14
RobertLee: Perhaps he meant Wisent cause the last Aurochs died in 1627. Yes, Arthur was probably confusing the two beasts, or perhaps he was unaware that the aurochs was already extinct.

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Jun 13, 11, 08:40 #15

Des Essientes:

The story of the white eagle is as follows: The first King of Poland enjoyed falconry and he decided that if falcons and hawks could be trained to hunt, for people, then perhaps eagles could be so trained as well. He located a white eagle's nest that contained young eaglets and he climbed up to steal one. Upon reaching the nest the mother eagle stood in front of her young and fought the king as he tried to grab an eaglet. The king drew his dagger and pricked the mother eagle in the chest thinking that she would fly away and thereby allow him to get the eaglet he sought, but the brave mother eagle still fought on despite the red blood staining her white feathers. The king became ashamed of himself and he relented, and out of admiration for this noble bird's defense of her young he proclaimed that from then on the white eagle would be the symbol of Poland and the Polish flag would be red and white because those were the colors of the white eagle's bloody breast. I said that the Polish flag is therefore green in the sense that green is the symbolic color of those who have decided to respect nature as this king decided to do when he climbed down from that eagle's nest leaving the eaglets to grow up wild and free.

Oh, Thank you so much. It was a very nice story and help.

Do you know of other stories like this about Poland? If so, please tell.

AND. What about Polish folklore? Or myths? Please tell me. I'd really like to know.

Thanks.

♀

Jun 13, 11, 09:38 #16

myjustyna:

Do you know of other stories like this about Poland?

The legend which Des Essientes told you seems to be an American version of that legend (never heard it before, though I've checked it and indeed there is such version of the legend). However in Poland the legend goes like that (in a nutshell): Lech (he was one of three brothers: Lech, Czech and Rus) follows the eagle and when the eagle brings him to his nest, Lech take it as a sign that he should settle there and creat a country. Why the Polish national symbol is white eagle on the red background? Because he wanted to see what is in the nest when the eagle aroused to fly and it was sunset time so the sky was red...
I must admit I like more Des Essientes' version :)

There are many legends in Poland. I suggest to create a new thread to not to annoy the mods ;)

Popular legends:
About Wanda who didn't want to marry a German
About Wars and Sawa (how the city Warsaw was established)
About the Wawel dragon and shoemaker Dratewka
About Bazyliszek
About Boruta devil
About nobleman Mr Twardowski who end up on the moon

IronsideThreads: 59 Posts: 6,787 Joined: Feb 26, 09 ♂	Jun 13, 11, 09:44 #17
myjustyna: Which one is Poland's symbol: White stork or white eagle?? Both?? AND they must be white? Silver Eagle !

Antek_StalichThreads: 6 Posts: 1,533 Joined: May 6, 11 ♂	Edited by: Antek_Stalich Jun 13, 11, 09:48 #18
Ironside: Silver Eagle ! Not what I could read in our Constitution? English: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coat_of_arms_of_Poland Polish: http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/God%C5%82o_Rzeczypospolitej_Polskiej

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Jun 13, 11, 09:58 #19

Maaarysia:

The legend which Des Essientes told you seems to be an American version of that legend

Oh wow, it is true I read this story from a pamplet published in honor of Pulaski Day, which is a Polish-American holiday in honor of Casimir because he fought in the Revolutionary War that freed the USA from British rule.

Maaarysia:

Lech (he was one of three brothers: Lech, Czech and Rus) follows the eagle and when the eagle brings him to his nest, Lech take it as a sign that he should settle there and creat a country

Wow! Lech following an eagle is amazingly similar to the Aztec foundational legend which is depicted on the Mexican flag.

Maaarysia:

About nobleman Mr Twardowski who end up on the moon

Here is a link to an English language telling of the Twardowski story:

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/20740/20740-h/20740-h.htm#Page_237

MaaarysiaThreads: 3 Posts: 541 Joined: Feb 27, 10 ♀	Jun 13, 11, 10:11 #20
Des Essientes: Wow! Lech following an eagle is amazingly similar to the Aztec foundational legend which is depicted on the Mexican flag. It is called auspicium and that motive occurs in many cultures.

IronsideThreads: 59 Posts: 6,787 Joined: Feb 26, 09 ♂	Jun 13, 11, 10:15 #21
Antek_Stalich: Not what I could read in our Constitution? Constitution was written by ignorants then, either that or wiki article !

Antek_StalichThreads: 6 Posts: 1,533 Joined: May 6, 11 ♂	Jun 13, 11, 10:19 #22
Ironside: Constitution was written by ignorants then, either that or wiki article ! Read the Constitution. Funny thing you perceive our legislators as ignorants, meaning you believe you would be the right Legislator.

myjustynaThreads: 9 Posts: 29 Joined: Apr 6, 11 ♂	Jun 13, 11, 10:25 #23
Antek_Stalich: Read the Constitution. Where can I download the latest version of the national constitution of Poland? (An authentic one)

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Edited by: Antek_Stalich Jun 13, 11, 10:40 #24

Here you are:
http://www.sejm.gov.pl/prawo/konst/polski/kon1.htm
This is the Polish Parliament, the Sejm, website.

English: http://www.sejm.gov.pl/prawo/konst/angielski/kon1.htm

Article 28

1. The image of a crowned white eagle upon a red field shall be the coat-of-arms of the Republic of Poland.

2. White and red shall be the colours of the Republic of Poland.

3. "Dąbrowski's Mazurka" shall be the national anthem of the Republic of Poland.

4. The coat-of-arms, colours and national anthem of the Republic of Poland shall be subject to legal protection.

5. Details concerning the coat-of-arms, colours and national anthem shall be specified by statute.

Article 29

Warsaw shall be the capital of the Republic of Poland.

This phrase shall be read by Ironside over and over:

We, the Polish Nation - all citizens of the Republic,
...
Mindful of the bitter experiences of the times when fundamental freedoms and human rights were violated in our Homeland

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Jun 13, 11, 17:12 #25

I was only joking a little :-)
http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kasztanka

alexw68

Edited by: alexw68 Jun 13, 11, 17:35 #26

Stanczyk:

Emblematic for Poles to such an extent that lower-case stanczyk means generic 'jester' alongside błazen and figlarz.

This is no longer the era of sulking clowns, of course. Why, Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz has been in self-imposed exile in London for some five years now. That aside, one or two of the more unhinged members of our Opposition have been trying to tell us for some dozen months now that instead of depressed comics, what we have is an elite of grinning funeral directors...

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Jun 13, 11, 17:53 #27

Two-finger salute

Ludwik Solski, as Old Veteran, by Wyspiański

myjustynaThreads: 9 Posts: 29 Joined: Apr 6, 11 ♂	Jun 13, 11, 18:25 #28
boletus: Two-finger salute Is two-finger-salute really a Polish symbol?? AND when do you do it? for saying hello, or good-bye??

pgtxThreads: 49 Posts: 6,327 Joined: Feb 14, 09 MEMBER ♀	Jun 13, 11, 18:27 #29
myjustyna: Is two-finger-salute really a Polish symbol?? yes

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Jun 14, 11, 04:53 #30

"Rogatywka", a Polish generic name for an asymmetrical, peaked, four-pointed military cap used by various Polish military formations throughout the ages. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogatywka
The term "róg" mean a horn, but also a corner. Rogatywka = a cap with corners. No army in the world have ever used this sort of cap - unless you go way back centuries ago.

Czapka is a Polish generic word for a cap. However, it is perhaps best known to English speakers as a word for the 19th century Polish cavalry headgear, consisting of a high, four-pointed cap with regimental insignia on the front (full name in Polish: czapka rogatywka, initially: konfederatka) to which feathers or rosettes were sometimes added.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Czapka

Contemporary "Rogatywka"

Czapka of a wachtmeister of 1st Uhlan Regiment of Polish Legions

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