The History and Meaning Behind the Assyrian Flag

Date: March 27, 2017

As a tribute to the traditional twelve-day celebration of the Assyrian New Year, we’re sharing unique ways to honor Akitu no matter where you are in the world as we count down the days to Kha b’Nissan 6767.

An easy way to mark the Assyrian New Year: Display the flag. Whether it’s outside your house or on your car: Fly it proudly. Here’s some information on the background and meaning of the Assyrian flag.

Some background

The Assyrian flag was designed by George Bit Atanus in 1968, but it wasn’t until 1971 that it was officially adopted by all Assyrian organizations. The flag’s design bears a white background with a golden (not yellow!) circle at the center, surrounded by a four-pointed star in a light blue—commonly referred to as the Assyrian Star. Four triple-colored, widening, wavy stripes connect the star to the four corners of the flag in red, white, and blue. Above the star sits the ancient Assyrian god Ashur.

What does it mean? 

• Golden circle: Represents the sun, which by its exploding and leaping flames, generates heat and light to sustain the earth and all living things.
• Assyrian star: Symbolizes the land—its light blue color denotes tranquility.
• Stripes: Representation of the three major rivers of Assyria: Tigris, Euphrates, and the Great Zab—in red, blue, and white, respectively. The blood red also stands four courage, glory, and pride. The white symbolizes peace. It is also said that the stripes symbolize the path back to the homeland. 
• Ashur symbol: A tribute to the ancient Assyrians.

Did you know? 

At one point, this was the official Assyrian flag, adopted prior to World War I. Created by the Syriac Orthodox community of Tur Abdin, the flag had three horizontal stripes in salmon, white, and red. On the salmon layer, there were three white stars positioned in the top left corner. These stars represented the three main churches of the Assyrian people: Church of the East, Chaldean Catholic Church, and Syriac Orthodox Church. The flag was used during delegation meetings between Assyrian politicians and Western leaders. This flag was abandoned in favor of Bit Atanus’s design.

How to make a tissue paper Assyrian flag

Date: March 21, 2017

The first of April—or Kha b’Nissan—marks the Assyrian New Year, also known as Akitu. In ancient Assyria, the new year was celebrated for a period of twelve days. Now, after thousands of years, Assyrians are spread all over the world, but continue to honor the holiday annually.

As a tribute to the twelve-day custom, we’re sharing unique ways to honor Akitu no matter where you are in the world.

Looking for a fun way to get your kids thinking about Akitu? The Assyrian flag is a great place to start. Here’s a simple, inexpensive craft that will give you the chance to talk to them about Assyria and the new year.

MATERIALS NEEDED: 

• Tissue paper (red, blue, white, light blue, yellow)
• Elmer’s glue
• Pencil
• Card stock
• Marker
• Picture of Assyrian flag (print out or electronic)
• Cardboard (optional)

PREP:

1. Cut tissue paper into small squares (2×2 is a good size). You will need more red, blue, and white squares for the piece. A good technique is to start by cutting tissue paper into strips, and then proceed to cut the stacked strips into squares. They don’t have to be perfect—it won’t matter later.
   
2. Draw an Assyrian flag onto a blank piece of card stock. We made the star a bit larger than usual. The color of the paper and the marker doesn’t matter. We used a standard 8.5×11 sheet, but this project will work with any size. You can use regular sheets of paper if you don’t have card stock handy, but using a thicker stock will ensure the flag doesn’t flop around once finished. You may choose to glue the sheet (card stock or not) to a piece of cardboard before starting. While we recommend this, it’s not necessary.
   

INSTRUCTIONS: 

1. Start by wrapping a square of tissue paper around the pencil’s eraser, and dip the end into glue.
   
2. Using the pencil, press the tissue paper onto the sheet. Children should have a picture of the Assyrian flag handy to use as a guide. We started from the very center of the Assyrian star, working our way out. Don’t worry about getting the pieces to look “right.” As you continue to fill the flag, it will come together.
   
3. The red and blue lines might be difficult to replicate using tissue paper. Don’t stress over this—the tissue paper will give them a fun, organic look.
   
4. While working, consider talking about the symbolism of the Assyrian flag.
   
5. Once finished, allow flag to dry.
6. Display the piece in your home to celebrate Akitu, or gift it to nana and jedo. Either way, it’s sure to brighten up any room. Smaller versions can be used to decorate a bouquet.

If you give it a try, please be share to share your photos with us! Use #12DaysofAkitu and tag us on Facebook.

Looking for more Assyrian-themed art projects to try with your kids this Kha b’Nissan? Check these out: 

• Ishtar Gate Mosaic: This unique mosaic-style art activity will give your child the opportunity to recreate one of the most iconic Assyrian sites.
• Little Scribes: Your child will learn how to write like an ancient Assyrian—on a clay tablet!
• Assyrian Metalworking: A fun art activity that will give kids a look at an ancient Assyrian industry.

Kha b’Nissan—the Assyrian New Year

Date: March 20, 2017

The first of April marks Akitu—the Assyrian New Year, commonly referred to as Kha b’Nissan. It is the most important Assyrian national holiday, and its celebration is one of the many links between ancient and modern Assyrians.

Kha b’Nissan was not only the first day of the new year, but it also marked the start of Spring. During this time, trees and flowers would begin to bloom again. As such, the holiday was a symbol of revival—a major theme in ancient Assyrian mythology. Many Assyrians viewed this day each year as the “start of a new life.”

In ancient times, the Akitu festival was celebrated for twelve days. According to the ancient calendar, the first of April coincided with the Spring Equinox (March 21). It was only after the Assyrians adopted Christianity and embraced the Gregorian Calendar that the date was moved.

Assyrian mythology tells of a story where the goddess of love marries the vegetation god. Their unity, which occurred during the Spring Equinox, ensured the renewal of life, blessing the Earth with fertility. This myth was central to the Akitu celebrations.

Ancient tablets excavated from the Assyrian homeland detail Akitu festivities as they were celebrated thousands of years ago. The Akitu holiday was the most important event in Assyria each year. Tens of thousands of people from all over the Assyrian Empire would travel to its capitol city, Nineveh, to partake in the magnificent event led by the Assyrian kingship.

Elaborate processions were one of the main feats of the festival. Another custom was the practice of mass marriages. A large number of marriage ceremonies took place on the same day in many different cities across Assyria. Couples were married in groups at a time, and later the brides would pay a visit to every household in their city where they would receive blessings and gifts. These gifts were then shared among the brides of each group.

Fortune-telling and gambling were also big parts of Akitu celebrations, as were poetry and storytelling.

While many of the ancient traditions have been retired, one that has survived is the tradition of Diqna d’Nissan, meaning “the beard of Spring.” Each year, Assyrian women and girls gather flowers and herbs that are then strung from the roof of their homes. Honor this tradition by attending AUAF’s flower workshop. 

Assyrians worldwide celebrate Kha b’Nissan by way of festivals, parades, and parties. In Australia, a festival is held annually, drawing in tens of thousands of Assyrians and non-Assyrians alike. In Chicago, a parade is held in tribute to the processions in Assyria. In Iraq, similar parades have drawn crowds of 30,000 in years past.

This year, Assyrians will mark 6767 years.

Keep up with our Facebook page over the next 12 days to celebrate Akitu with AUAF.