Nowadays, it has become regular to redesign outdated identities of cities, municipalities, regions, and even countries, as this helps to better connect citizens with identities, state authorities and administrations, and understand the symbolism of the marks, with a simple and redefined design. The current state of the country markings is pretty bad, with too many elements and details, kitsch, missed and unsuitable symbols and images that are most often unconstitutional. Great work of professionals is required to harmonize the concepts and designs for all state markings.
Serbia has a long heraldic tradition that originates from the Byzantine Empire, using the symbols of Christianity, among which the most used are Serbian cross (ocilo), lily (Fleur-de-lis), and symbols of the monarchy and empires such as the two-headed eagle, the crown, the royal cloak, and the like. In the new age, such a medieval heraldic does not represent a modern tolerant and multicultural society with its symbolism, because Serbia is a secular and democratic republic under the Constitution of the Republic of Serbia. Heraldry is also used for state identities of Serbian infrastructure, including cities, municipalities, army... Many identities were recently made using heraldry, but without the historical tradition of heraldic marking.
Innovation is crucial in the development of Serbia, and identities should always be in line with the time in which we live. The traditions of the Serbian people is impossible to lose with this change, but only improve. Let's set a good example of progress to the generations to come, and strengthen a better and more honest feeling of belonging to the identity of Serbia.
The symbol of Serbia is a white rosette, with eight petals, placed symmetrically on the blue background of the flag, which is a symbol of a calm sky. Rosette with its appearance and position symbolizes unity, peace and stability, and with various pattles the dynamism of a multicultural and tolerant society. With its ancient symbolism it represents the sun, star, life and nature.
Serbia has a long tradition in ornamentation, which is most visible in architecture and painting, as well as in clothing and everyday objects, decorated books... Ornaments of flowers and plant curvature and interlacing are frequent, among which this symbol of the rosette is the most used in its various styles.
All three Pan-Slavic colors are kept from the current flag of Serbia. The blue surface on the flag is enlarged, because it is difficult to remember in which order the colors go on the current flag, because there are many similar flags. With blue color, accent is placed on the flag, and because of that it is easier to remember. With this change, the flag becomes unique in the world. Due to the larger blue surface, the symbol is better emphasized.
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Flags had previously served for military coordination on the battlefield, so they had to leave a strong impression and be quickly recognized from afar, with clear colors and symbols. The Vexillology Association (NAVA) has consolidated the principles that define a good flag design, which our current flag does not meet:
1. It must be simple, so it can be drawn from the memory
(the current flag has too many details because of the coat of arms)
2. To have a significant symbolism
(there are too many symbols that are not relevant for a democratic and secular republic)
3. Two to three colors
(the flag has five colors)
4. Without text and coats of arms
(It has a coat of arms and a four-letter S (cyrillic “Š”“)
5. Unique and related
(Our flag is similar to other flags with Pan-Slavic colors - tricolors, and symbols such as two-headed eagle, crown...)
Our tradition, as an essential element of communication, affects the identification of the community, but if it is not critically examined, it leads to living in the past, and the people as such can not progress and be in line with the modern age. In intense social changes, culture can maintain its tradition, but also shape it to benefit future generations, with sincere civilizational values, and thus properly push the progress of Serbian society forward.
Most of the state markings, although historically traditional, are unconstitutional today, due to their symbolism. It is therefore also necessary to change the state anthem, which has a religious nature.
Currently, with our visual identity, we are presenting ourselves to the world as a nation led by autocratic and orthodox leaders, because it is symbolized by our heraldry. It is necessary to establish a new communication, based on the ideas of peace, democracy and tolerance, which the symbol of the Serbian rosette represents.
