Flag of Greater Zedoljev
[in detail]
Origins
The flag had originally been used since 1969, but uses elements that have existed on the Zedoljan national flag, on and off, for nearly a thousand years. The most striking feature is that of the "Pegus" - which gives the flag its name. This image originally appeared as the standard of the House of Slichanya who ruled de facto over what was Zedoljev in the 4th Century CE. The imagery is actually supposed to be that of the Goddess Leila in her Pegasus form - this is Zedoljev's strongest sign of their religion and a similar image appears on all Colonial Republic flags. Another version of the Pegasus Leila appears on the Official Flag of the USTsR. Another element is the four bars of increasing size on the left - these first appeared in the early 9th century, initially representing the three districts of Vostok Island - the local House of Uchenitsa ruled the country from this island at this point. This would eventually become four bars and took on different meanings. The current unofficial statement is that they coincidentally match the for Republics that make up Greater Zedoljev - ranging left to right in population size - and sceptics say influence - from Mayatia, Vellsandia, Villiya to Federal Zedoljev. The most recent elements added were the three stars that have never had a precise official explanation, but symbolise the Zedoljan Socialist Revolution and are repeated right across the Soviet Union. Lastly the entire flag is coloured in Dark Red and Pure Yellow, long since established as the national colours of Zedoljev.
The image of the Pegasus "flying Eastward" has been taken to symbolise the Goddess flying towards Zedoljev - eastward from the Urallian Homelands - much like the founding colonists of Zedoljev travelled east from Urallia. Thusly the reverse of the flag does not carry either the Pegus or the stars, though it retains the bars - in that way, the Pegus is always seen to be flying toward the right - symbolising the east. It has been pointed out that this breaks the trend since it is common for Socialist nations to put emphasis on the left-hand side - however, this image has existed long before the Socialist Revolution and even then, the leaders of the revolution were keen to retain the pride and (selected) glory of the countries past. Reversing the Pegus would have been seen to be in many ways sacrilegious.
[in detail]
Flag Mourning
As in accordance with traditional Zedoljan custom, in times of mourning, flags will be flown at half-mast and often will have black ribbons, usually one or two, tied to the mast as well. A slightly different practice is used atop the main tower of the famous Abrikav Fort in central Zendivostok. In this instance, the flag will be flown at half-mast, but four long black ribbons, of two different lengths, will be flown two above and two below the main flag.
Laws regarding the Flag
While officially the State Flag of Greater Zedoljev, it is still treated by the same laws that were used when it was used in its former role - that is to say, different laws will cover Villiya's flag, Vellsandia's flag and Mayatia's flag, but the same law will cover both the Greater Zedoljan flag and the Federal Zedoljan flag. At the core of these laws is the tremendous pride and honour Zedoljans take in their flag, and the disrespect of the Zedoljan flag is considered disrespect towards the Zedoljan people. That said, the ill-treatment of a flag or an effigy of a flag is often only classed as a public offence, called Flag Disrespect, depending on the severity of the actual action. High severity however does run into the possibility of infringing various other laws, which can include Disturbance of the Peace, Criminal Damage, Arson (especially in the case of Flag Burning), "Attempted Dissention" and Wanton Destruction of Property Belonging to the People. Sometimes, certain actions (including Flag Burning) can be seen as "desecration" and despite on the outside the laws looking fairly lenient relating to the Flag, more often than not, the perpetrators of these desecrations will get the book hurled at them, and in truth, all people convicted of Flag Disrespect will often be severely tainted. Those classed as Foreign nationals convicted of Flag Disrespect within Zedoljev can often receive worse sentences because of a biased view that states that such actions could be an attempt to stir up political dissent within Zedoljev - a crime the Tschazanovite Government calls "Social Sabotage" - if convicted, most will receive some form of custodial sentence before likely being deported - others, convicted of more serious actions, could receive lengthy prison sentences. This is an improvement over the period just post to the Socialist Revolution, where foreigners "convicted" of attempting to undermine the Zedoljan proletariat were denounced as foreign or capitalist agents, spies etc, and often ended up shot.
Presently, Zedoljev recognises it has no right to expect extradition over foreign nationals committing Flag Disrespect of Zedoljan flags in foreign countries. However, if individuals involved are recognised then they can often face suspicion, or may even find their travelling restricted or even banned, should they later attempt to visit any territory of the Soviet Union. Outside observers have pointed out while Zedoljev never actually puts one of these individuals into prison - not usually for any great time - they can still make the stay in Zedoljev very uncomfortable.
