They reflect the noble dreams and aspirations of this country and the nations living in it. The state symbols of Uzbekistan embody the glory, historical memory and aspirations of our people and give pride, honor and dignity to every citizen living in this country.

Consequently, we encounter such symbols and emblems almost every day: government agencies - perhaps a person who has not seen the coat of arms of the state hanging on the front of official bodies, waving the flag - may be someone who does not pay attention.

Unfortunately, not seeing the essence of it is not the same as ignoring it. Acknowledging, appreciating and respecting symbols and emblems is an example of patriotism. The state flag is one of such symbols. In historical sources, in some places it is also called «tug, yalov». Not only do we feel a sense of dignity and pride that it is waving over our heads, but we also have a responsibility to keep our flag raised high.

The flag, which reflects a very great meaning, high taste and skill, embodies in itself the centuries-long wishes, inspiration and enthusiasm of the people of Uzbekistan, humanity inherent in our people, the memory of ancestors and the pride of the nation, deserves special esteem and respect among us for the state symbols of all countries on the planet.

Almost all states have their own flag and they are diverse. In particular, our independent Homeland has its flag, which symbolizes equality in the world community. The State Flag of the Republic of Uzbekistan is a rectangular fabric consisting of three stripes of dark blue, white and dark green, running along the entire length of the flag. The State Flag of the Republic of Uzbekistan is 250 cm long and 125 cm wide. The width of the blue, white, and green is the same. Each is 40 cm wide. Red borders 2.5 cm wide were drawn from the edges of the white width in the middle of the flag. It is a symbol of peace, tranquility and stability as well as creativity.

At the top of the State Flag of the Republic of Uzbekistan, on the face and back of the blue part of the flag, near the pole, there is a new white moon and twelve white five-pointed stars next to it. The image of the moon and the stars, on the other hand, symbolizes the longevity of life, the meaning of gradualness and prosperity.

Sakhibkiran Amir Temur was also very careful in choosing the colors. Although they raised the Islamic flag high above their heads in battle, they painted the domes of their movable mosques – blue and the domes of their settlements – red. The reason is that blue represents the power of Almighty in heaven and red represents the power of man on earth. White is a symbol of purity, innocence, cleanness, purity of dreams and fantasies, the pursuit of inner beauty, and has always represented the content of peace and security.

In general, there is no complete information in the history of humankind about when the flag appeared and when it began to be used symbolically. Only in Abulqasim Firdavsiy’s «Shahnameh» there is a narration about it. It says that an ignorant and ruthless ruler, Zacchaeus, had two snakes grow on his two shoulders and begin to attack his head. He is forced to conclude a truce with the snakes in order to survive. According to the agreement, the ruler had to sacrifice two of his citizens every day on snakes. This situation will continue for a long time. Eventually the people could not bear this anymore. They rise up against the serpents that threaten the land and the ruler. The crowd is led by a blacksmith Kova, who took off his headband and raised in order to gather everyone around him, lying the first flag in the history of mankind.

A flag – the headband of a blacksmith Kova, this is a legend and we are far from this idea. We just mentioned that there is such an assumption. It was a different matter, even if it was officially confirmed in any document. After all, unscientific information in science does not serve as a basis. It is necessary to confirm scientific theories with historical sources, to base on documents. For example, the Presidential Palace, built on the Capitol Hill in the United States, was renovated after a fire in the early 19th century and used white marble for exterior decoration. It was then called the «White House». However, the term only gained official status in 1903 after a special document was adopted by Theodore Roosevelt.

The flag may look like a piece of fabric to the onlooker. However, the person who looks at its meaning is convinced that the content is the essence. It represents the identity of the people, the feelings of the nation, such as honor, dignity, pride. Remember the moments when our athletes won in the world arenas, our anthem was played in our honor, and our flag was raised high: it is impossible to put into words how proud we are, how proud we are to as good as anyone, and how excited we get.

The flag symbolizes the common goals and unity of peoples living in a particular geographical area. It is a symbol of power and might with the ability to unite scattered sides. A military structure that has lost its flag will no longer exist, it will be disbanded. An old man from World War II recounted an exemplary story: «Our regiment was scattered like a torrential downpour of bullets, he began, recalling the sad story of those turbulent years. – The bombs and shells exploded, causing deafness and numbness. It was necessary to gather the surviving warriors and move on to the counterattack. Nevertheless, no matter how much the commanders shouted, it was not possible. We missed the target. At that moment, someone found a regimental flag that had been torn open and raised it above his head: «Gather under the battle flag!», the command rang out. Surprisingly, at that moment the warriors were revived, their minds were enlightened - soon the able-bodied warriors lined up again, we entered the fight and we won!».

Another fact that cannot be ignored is that the flag can also fly in the hands of ignorant people as a symbol of aggression. After all, no matter what the wind will sway the fabric on its way. If we look at the invasions that have taken place in the history of mankind, we become even more convinced of this. For example, during the years of World War II, under the flag of fascism, about 50 million were forced to leave their home. It is also truth that the pirate flag, which depicts a human skull and two bones, posed a threat to many passenger and cargo ships. It is no secret that such pirate ships are still raiding cargo ships in the open oceans.

Extremist organizations and terrorist groups have their own flags as well: they also want to raise these flags on the ruins of goodness and expand its sphere of influence - the scale of ignorance. But the lifespan of evil has never been long, its journey is short. Free-spirited people have never been subject to aggressive forces. Like Najm-al Din Kubra, our great scholar ancestor did not accept the compliments of the Mongol invaders. «Freedom of the homeland or honorable death!» he went to the battlefield. According to historians, the scholar, who fell to the ground with severe injuries, tore off the flag of the enemy and threw it at his feet before his death.

If any symbols and emblems that do not serve goodness eventually fall into this trap – they will be trampled underfoot. Any fabric swaying in the wind cannot be considered a flag. Who wants to fix their flag where, what to plant there, what to harvest, in this regard – it is important not to lose awareness. In fact, we have a strong goal and purpose in this matter. As the Head of Our State Shavkat Mirziyoyev said: «Undoubtedly, confidence in our own strength and capabilities unites us in the pursuit of such a noble goal as the foundation of the Third Renaissance, making us stronger and resilient. These aspirations have become significant practical work, and the great people’s movement is expanding...

We have a multinational people following us, our esteemed noble men, hardworking, intelligent sisters, progressive and modern-minded young people who are as good as anyone else in the world. Most importantly, our society is governed by spirit of peace, interethnic harmony, tolerance and kindness...

«We are all uniting around a single goal: «Let's live freely and prosperously in the new Uzbekistan!», with a deep sense of responsibility and accountability, will work selflessly and achieve our dreams, insha’Allah». This means that as our goal is to lay the foundations of the third Renaissance, to live freely and prosperously in the New Uzbekistan and to rise to the peaks of development, our flag will fly and rise high.

Khudoyor MAMATOV,

Secretary of the Central Election Commission,

DSc in Law, Professor