Zdravo to everyone and welcome to my page!

  • View media
  • View media
  • View media
  • View media
  • View media
Chetniks flag and it's meaning (view original)

The media you are trying to view has been deleted and is no longer available. This may have occurred at the uploaders request, or it may have occurred because it violated the sites Terms of Use. If this is a mistake and you would like it re-activated, please contact us with the details.

If you would like to view other media in this gallery click here.

Description

Chetnik(s) (literally: "Companyman"- a member of company) were guerrilla movement who fought the Ottomans till 19th century. From 19th century, they were volontaires who were helping in liberation of Balkan which were under Ottomans domination. In 1940, they were representing elite part of the Royal Yugoslav Forces, while during the WW2 they were fought as Royalist movement and had all of the support from the West. The movement was destroyed at the end of the WW2. During the Balkan war, the Chetnik movement was highly misused- carrying the Chetnik banner, growing big beard doesn't consider you a Chetnik. But, anyway, several men got the title of "Duke" for extraordinary bravery and heroism during the war.

The flag: The upper inscription "For the King and Fatherland" and the lower inscription "Freedom or Death" is representing commitment to the King and the Country- every member swears to the death rather than captivity or destruction of his land. About skull, the most controversial picture, has't purpose in scaring the others (well, sometimes it does)- it's actually a Christian symbol and represents the symbol of the hill (Calvary or Golgotha- meaning skull) where the Christ was crucified. It also represents death- to enemy or member of the movement.

I also must say that the scull is in use worldwide: Italians in both world wars, some English regiments, Belgians, Austro-Hungarian storm troopers, etc. So this flag doesn't represent terror, slaughtering etc.

Thanks for reading!