Ukraine
Library
Studies
Language
Calendar
Home
ucrainica
Ukraine-related information from a UK perspective

Ucrainica > Ukraine > State

State symbols

Flag of UkraineThe flag of Ukraine consists of blue and yellow horizontal bands of equal width.

 

State emblem of UkraineUkraine's 'small' state emblem is a gold trident on a blue shield. The adoption of the trident recalls its use as a symbol during the reign of Volodymyr the Great (980-1015), Grand Prince of Kyivan Rus’, when the trident was stamped on gold and silver coins issued by the state. The earliest archaeological examples of the trident discovered in Ukraine date back to the 1st century AD.

The Constitution also provides for a 'great' state emblem, to be based on the trident and the coat of arms of the Zaporozhian Cossacks, although no specific design has yet been formally adopted.

Ukraine's national anthem is based on a poem written by Pavlo Chubynsky (first published in 1863) and set to music by Mykhailo Verbytsky.