# flag of Russia

> national flag of the Russian Federation

**Wikidata**: [Q16611](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16611)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Russia)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/flag-of-russia

## Summary
The flag of Russia is the national flag of the Russian Federation, serving as the primary symbol of the country's sovereignty. It was officially established on May 11, 1696, and is historically linked to the design contributions of Peter the Great. This flag succeeded the flag of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, which was in use until November 1, 1991.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: It belongs to the class of "national flag," defined as a flag of a country or nation.
- **Official Name**: The entity is formally known as the "flag of the Russian Federation."
- **Inception Date**: The flag's official inception is recorded as May 11, 1696.
- **Creator**: The design and development are attributed to Peter the Great, who served as Tsar/Emperor of Russia from 1682 to 1725.
- **Predecessor**: It directly succeeded the "flag of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic," which was used by the Russian SFSR starting November 1, 1991.
- **Aliases**: Common variations include "Russian flag" and "Russia flag."
- **Digital Presence**: The entity has a Wikipedia title of "Flag of Russia" and holds a sitelink count of 97 across various language editions.
- **Creator Citizenship**: Peter the Great held citizenship in entities identified by  and .
- **Creator Occupations**: Peter the Great's professional roles included occupations identified by , , and .

## FAQs
**What is the historical origin of the Russian flag?**
The flag traces its official inception back to May 11, 1696, during the reign of Peter the Great. This monarch, who ruled from 1682 to 1725, is credited with creating and developing the design that serves as the national symbol today.

**Which flag did the current Russian flag replace?**
The current national flag succeeded the flag of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic. The predecessor was specifically in use by the Russian SFSR until November 1, 1991, marking a transition in the nation's symbolism.

**How is the flag classified in international databases?**
It is categorized under the class of "national flag," which encompasses flags representing countries or nations. This classification is supported by a significant digital footprint, including 97 sitelinks and a dedicated Wikipedia entry.

## Why It Matters
The flag of Russia serves as the definitive visual identifier for the Russian Federation, distinguishing it from other sovereign states and historical entities. Its establishment in 1696 marks a foundational moment in Russian statehood, linking modern national identity to the era of Peter the Great. By succeeding the Soviet-era flag in 1991, it symbolizes a distinct political and historical shift, representing the continuity of the Russian state while signaling a new era. For historians and political scientists, the flag acts as a critical data point for tracking the evolution of Russian governance and national symbols over three centuries.

## Notable For
- **Historical Longevity**: It holds one of the earliest recorded inception dates for a national flag, dating back to 1696.
- **Imperial Connection**: It is uniquely associated with Peter the Great, a monarch whose reign spanned from 1682 to 1725 and who personally developed the design.
- **Symbolic Transition**: It represents the specific historical moment of November 1, 1991, when the Russian SFSR flag was replaced.
- **High Digital Visibility**: With a sitelink count of 97, it demonstrates extensive coverage and recognition across global knowledge bases compared to many other national symbols.
- **Distinct Classification**: It is explicitly defined within the "national flag" class, differentiating it from regional or organizational banners.

## Body

### Historical Origins and Development
The flag of the Russian Federation has its roots in the late 17th century, with an official inception date of May 11, 1696. This period coincides with the reign of Peter the Great, who is credited as the creator and developer of the flag. Peter the Great served as the Tsar and Emperor of Russia from 1682 until his death in 1725. His contributions to the flag's design are a central part of its historical narrative, linking the modern symbol directly to the imperial era. The development of the flag occurred during a time of significant expansion and modernization for the Russian state under his leadership.

### Succession and Political Context
The current flag represents a specific lineage in Russian vexillology, having succeeded the flag of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic. The predecessor flag was in active use by the Russian SFSR starting from November 1, 1991. This transition marks a pivotal moment in the entity's history, signifying the end of the Soviet era's specific symbolism and the adoption of the new national standard. The relationship between these two flags is defined by a clear chronological succession, where the modern flag replaced the Soviet-era banner to reflect the changing political landscape of the Russian Federation.

### Classification and Digital Presence
In terms of categorization, the flag is classified as a "national flag," a class defined as a flag of a country or nation. This classification is supported by a robust digital footprint, with a total sitelink count of 97 across various platforms. The entity is widely recognized under the Wikipedia title "Flag of Russia" and is also known by several aliases, including "flag of the Russian Federation," "Russian flag," and "Russia flag." The high number of sitelinks indicates its prominence and frequent reference in global knowledge repositories.

### Attributes of the Creator
Peter the Great, the figure responsible for the flag's creation, held multiple significant roles and citizenships. His occupations are cataloged under identifiers , , and , reflecting his diverse influence as a ruler. His citizenship is recorded under  and , further grounding his identity within the historical context of the Russian state. With a sitelink count of 179, Peter the Great is a highly documented historical figure, and his association with the flag adds substantial weight to the entity's historical significance. His tenure as Tsar/Emperor from 1682 to 1725 provides the temporal framework for the flag's initial development and adoption.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.mann-ivanov-ferber.ru/assets/media/files/blog/Flagi.pdf)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. BabelNet
4. Name Suggestion Index