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![[Vukovar]](../images/h/hr-vu-vu.gif)
image by Željko Heimer, 5 October 2009
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There are local elections in Croatia this Sunday, and this was
a chance to see on TV several local flags. One that deserves to
be considered it the flag of Vukovar - the city in east of
Croatia that bacame the symbol of Croatian stouggle against
aggression.
The flag is a horizontal triband of blue-white-blue, where the
shade of blue is very light, similar to what is usually
represented on Argentinian flags (celestial blue). In the middle,
as it is usual for Croatian local flags, there is the coat of
arms of Vukovar - red with white castle under the image of Mary
(?). Over all it is an escutcheon of irregular shape blue with
golden lion (?) holding and axe.
Of course, the flag is not used in Vukovar itself at the moment,
the city being under protection of the UN, but the results of
these elections should change this as one of the main
prerogatives of the reintegration of Eastern Slavonia and Baranya
in Croatia. The flag that could be seen in Vukovar these days is
the UN flag, and as it was reported in TV news, the Serb
tricolours are hoisted on several buildings of the local Serb
government.
Željko Heimer, 13 April 1997
I saw yesterday the TV-news on Arte (french-german network)
with a short program about the Croatian elections and the
situation of Eastern Slavonia. In a Croatian house were flying
the Croatian national flag and a Vukovarian flag slightly
different from the one posted by Željko. The city shield was
on a plain sky blue field, omitting the white band of
Željko's picture.
Ivan Sache, 16 April 1997
I haven't seen that one, but I'll make a note on my pages that
this one is also used. I guess that this is either an unofficial
flag or some older variant. I am inclined to believe that the
striped version is official since I saw in on the election posts.
Of course, more details would be known only when the normal
government would be established there.
By the way, I have seen today another photo from the elections in
the area around Vukovar, with a great Serb flag hoisted on the
wall behind the electors, having the light blue shield with the
white eagle etc.
Željko Heimer, 17 April 1997
The coat of arms of Vukovar is modernized version of the
previous arms, picturing a maiden standing at the city gates
holding a blue shield with golden wolf. The wolf is canting the
city name (Croatian vuk = wolf). The flag is triband of
blue-white-blue. In mid1990's the flag without the white stripe
was also occasionally used.
Željko Heimer
I managed to get a copy of an article on the flags in the
Vukovar-Srijem County [sal95].
Regarding the city of Vukovar, here is the document adopting the
symbols on 29.11.1993: "Odluka o grbu i zastavi grada
Vukovara, te nacinu i uvjetima njihove uporabe i
zaštite", 29. studenog 1993, Službeni vjesnik
[Vukovarsko-srijemske županije], 31. ožujka 1994.
However, the decision describes the coat of arms to have green
base. The images attached to the text of the article show the
shield as brownish and the escutcheon as red, however author
notes that these illustrations are not the best. However, the
"greenless" coat of arms seems to be in actual use.
Possibly after 1993 an other decsion was made at some point (or
even more then one). Anyway, the article gives the flag as
vertical version.
Željko Heimer, 16 January 2005
The situation with the symbols of the city is complex, confusing
and apparently nothing that is actually prescribed in used.
Bascially, different artistic variations of the coat of arms are
used - none matching the official descriptions in all details
(plus official descriptions are quite illogical at some points).
The city web site at
(subtitled Beta version) includes official gazettes since 2000
that reveal much (although much is still to be solved).
The animal in the central shield is not a wolf - all the
documents are clear that it is a lion.
I already reported the article by Tomo Šalic, quoting the
1993 decision on the city symbols: Odluka o grbu i zastavi grada
Vukovara, te nacinu i uvjetima njihove uporabe i zaštite,
29. studenog 1993, Službeni vjesnik, 31. ožujka 1994.
The coat of arms is there described in details with some
geometric prescriptions (some of them quite odd), and maybe it
would be best to provide the entire translation with some of my
comments in brackets:
"Coat of arms description: The coat of arms of the city of
Vukovar is in shape of a red shield, with the ratio of width to
height 1:1.75 (one to one seventy five). [this would give a very
tall shield indeed, never seen anything close being used] The
shield is in the lower part at the level of 3/4 of the shield
length begining to bend into an arch forming the lower edge of
the shield. [this would seem to imply that the lower edge of the
shield is not a semicircular arch, however exactly one measures
the "3/4 height level" remains a mystery to me - but
the shield used are, as far as I have noticed always simple
semicircular examples] In the lower part of the shield at the
level of 4/5 of the shield, the shield is along its width divided
with a line (border) coloured green of with approximately 1/17 of
the shield length. [This part with the width we may handle if we
are not too nitpicking, while the 4/5 means, presumably, 1/5 of
the height from the bottom].
On the top of the green line is set the main depiction of the
coat of arms composed of two towers coloured silverly set on each
side on a base wall and footing each, connected with an arch,
encircling opened city gates. In the area of the city gates a
maiden is standing with a golden-blonde hair, dressed in a green
gown. The maiden hold infront of herself a dark blue shield on
which is a golden lion turned to the left. [It is unclear weather
this is meant - heraldically sinister or simply viewer's left.
Notably, it is not mentioned that the lion is rampant and that it
holds the flag - but I leave open the possibility that Šalic
skipped that part of the description, by accident, maybe.] In the
lower part of the shield, along the bottom arc, the name of the
city - Vukovar - may be inscribed. If it is inscribed, that it
should be in Roman capital uppercase coloured silverly. (Artcle
8)
Description of the flag. The flag of the city of Vukovar is
composed of two colours: light blue and white, with the coat of
arms of the city of Vukovar in the centre of it.
Description of the flag. The flag of the city of Vukovar is
composed of two colours: light blue and white, with the coat of
arms of the city of Vukovar in the centre of it. The ratio of the
width and length of the flag is 1:2 (one to two). The colours are
set horizontally in this order from the top: light blue, white,
light blue. Each colour makes 1/3 of the flag. [OK, not the most
elegant description, but clear enough. Note that it describes the
horizontal ("normal") version of the flag.] The coat of
arms of Vukovar is set in the centre of the flag, so that the top
part, 1/6 of the coat of arms enters into the top light blue
field, and the bottom 1/6 of the coat of arms enters the bottom
light blue field, while the central point of the coat of arms
matches the crossing point of the flag diagonals." (Article
12) [Again, almost perfectly clear.]
As I noted before I have never seen the green live version. The
shield held by the maiden is in some versions (notably the one
shown by Šalic) coloured red, the lion is turned to dexter
or to sinister in various interpretations, mostly to dexter, but
in Šalic's image to sinister. Font used for the inscriptions
(when present) is baside the prescribed Roman capital letters
also some kind of sans-serif Helvetica, but in Šalic's
drawing yet some other fancy font. Unlike the description,
Šalic pictures a vertical version of the flag, with the coat
of arm rotated. However, he ends his description with remark that
the images he show do not match the descriptions and that
therefore the City council shall dicuss the coat of arm and the
flag again and probably decide on some changes. This he published
in 1995 issue of the journal, and indeed it seems that in 1995
the city decided on the new symbols, as we shall see, but let me
add a few notes on the Statutes first:
From the 2000 consolidated text of the 1994 Statutes with
subsequent amendments of 1995, 1996 1997 and twice in 2000,
available at the web site at <www.vukovar.h>:
Statut Grada Vukovara (procišceni tekst), Službeni
vjesnik Vukovarsko-srijemske županije, br. 6/2000,
07.09.2000, includes a new description of the coat of arms in the
Article 6 (again with my notes in brackets):
"The City of Vukovar has a coat of arms and a flag. The coat
of arms of the City of Vukovar is hsaped as a shield in ratio of
width to height 1:1.25. [now a more sensible ratio] The top part
of the shield is straight, the bootm part is at the level of 3/4
bent into an arc. [I fail to see the sense in this determination,
since all depictions I have seen are normal semicircular shields]
The shield is, as the background of the entire coat of arms,
coloured red. In the centre of it is a figure of a maiden with
long golden hair in a green gown, she is holding with both hands
smaller shield of irregular shape coloured blue, under which is
seen her footwear coloured silver. On the smaller shield is a
golden lion turned to the right [here meaning dexter, I believe]
raised on its rear legs, carrying over its left shoulder a small
flag coloured golden.
On the left and right are towers, standing on the base walls,
ending in embattlements, connected with an arch, all coloured
silver. The flag of the City of Vukovar is shaped as an oblong
rectangle with ration of length and height 2:1. The flag is
divided into three equal horizontal fields. The top and bottom
fields are light blue, and the central field is white.
In the centre of the flag is the coat of arms of the City of
Vukovar, with size 3/7 of the flag height [huh! which size -
heigh or width of the coat of arms is 3/7 of the flag height? I
believe the answer is width, since it makes more balanced image,
even if the height may be right answer - although then the coat
of arms would enter the blue fields only for a small amount. The
word flag height mean here the lesser dimension (=hoist), since
if it was what the other way, the coat of arms would be oversized
however we interpret the first question] in the white field, with
its top and bottom parts entering into the light blue fields. The
coat of arms and the flag of the City represent the City and
express the affiliation to the City."
This Statute invalidates previous 1989 (socialist period)
Statutes and 1993 temporary decision on the city structure that
probably have no determinatin on the city symbols at all (but it
would be interesting to check! however, these are not on-line and
one would have to visit some local archives): Statut Opcine
Vukovar, Službeni vjesnik Opcine Vukovar, 14/89 Odluka o
privremenom ustrojstvu Grada Vukovara, Službeni vjesnik
Županije Vukovarsko-srijemske, 2/93
The above description is word for word repeated in the 2001
Statues (Article 4) where the last sentence is only changed
to "The coat of arms and the flag are used in the way that
expressed the tradition and dignity of the City. The City council
shall issue a decision in the use of the coat of arms and the
flag." Statut Grada Vukovara, 25.10.2001, Službeni
vjesnik Vukovarsko-srijemske županije, br. 7/2001,
21.09.2001.
The 2009
Statutes again repeats that, now dividing the descriptions
into two articles (5 and 6), omitting the last sentece from the
2000 Statutes (i.e. the two sentences of the 2001) altogether and
changes the last remaining sentence to no different effect:
"In the centre of the flag is the coat of arms of the City
of Vukovar, with size 3/7 of the flag height in the white field,
with its top and bottom parts entering into the light blue
fields, so that the central point of the coat of arms matches the
crossing point of the diagonals." Statut Grada Vukovara,
14.07.2009, Službeni vjesnik Vukovarsko-srijemske
županije, br. 4/2009, 16.07.2009.
So, this is how the coat of arms and the flag are defined by the
Statutes still today, even though the web site shows clearly
slightly different coat of arms.
After the 1993 decision on the symbols quoted by Šalic,
the city indeed adopted a new one in 1995 which was amended in
1996 as is quoted in a further amendment
of 2000: Odluka o grbu i zastavi grada Vukovara te nacinu i
uvjetima njihove uporabe i zaštite, Službeni vjesnik
Vukovarsko-srijemske županije, br. 6/95 i 7/96, quoted in
Odluka o izmjeni i dopuni Odluke o grbu i zastavi grada Vukovara
te nacinu i uvjetima njihove uporabe i zaštite, 21.11.2000,
Službeni vjesnik Vukovarsko-srijemske županije, br.
8/2000, 22.11.2000.
However, we do not know the 1995 and 1996 texts, but we may
presume that one of the introduces description the same as the
one found in the 2000 consolidated text of Statutes. The 2000
amendments provide for the adoption of a decision regulating the
commercial use of the symbols (which is not yet adopted since, I
believe).
However, in 2004 a decision
was made that regulate the criteria and procedure for grant of
use of the coat of arms, the flag and other symbols of the city:
Odluka o mjerilima i postupku za odobravanje uporabe grba,
zastave i drugih znamenja Grada Vukovara, 12.02.2004,
Službeni vjesnik Grada Vukovara br. 1/04, 13.02.2004.
This is of no immediate interest to us for the time being ,
however, it should be noted that following this decision, the
official gazettes are full of decision of grants of rights to use
the city coat of arms, the city name and other
"symbols" to various societies and companies (and a few
decision denying such right, so not everyone is entitled to use
it). Again, this would lead us our of the scope of this already
longish report. [As a curiosity, there is a decision where the
city grants the right to the Croatian Navy to use the city name
for one of their ships. I am not sure if the Navy is even aware
of the decision].
And finally, let us take a look at the coat of arms drawing
provided at the web
site. This same drawing is available in vectorial format from
several sites providing logos and brands where it is caption as
the logo of the Football Club "Vukovar 91" (for
example: <www.seeklogo.com>).
I haven't found a decision granting the right to use the coat of
arms to the FC, althugh it seems they use it as well and without
any restriction.
This drawing, which seems to be the officially used pattern
today, matches the statutory descriptions well, except in a few
points - the maiden is shown there in such position that the gown
is not visible at all and she is barefoot, not in silver
footwear.
The mentioned web page provides for some historical data of
interest to us: Symbols with an "oriental man" (i.e. a
Turk) holding the inescutcheon were used in the seals of 18th
century. Afterwards the figure was replaced with a maiden, or as
some claim an angel, however, these is no original written
explanation of the symbolism, so the intention remained unclear.
In this form the coat of arms was established in 1871, when the
Old and New Vukovar were jointed into a single city, which is
symbolised with two linked towers. It is said that the lion
represent the resistance and endurance.
Regardng the flag, I have not yet determined if the blue-white
triband was introduced only in early 1990's (as it seems) or if
it has been used prior to that as well. In 1990's I have seen
occasionally monocoloured light-blue flags with the coat of arms
were used (as table flags) as well, but the triband is was used
more often, I would say.
Željko Heimer, 5 October 2009
vu-vu.gif)
image by Željko Heimer, 5 October 2009
Flag
![[Vukovar]](../images/h/hr-vu-vu93.gif)
image by Željko Heimer
Vertical Flag
![[Vukovar]](../images/h/hr-vuvvu.gif)
image by Željko Heimer, 16 January 2005
Coat of Arms
![[Vukovar]](../images/h/hr)vu-vu93.gif)
image by Željko Heimer
There are beautiful photos of excellent flags at the Vukovar city
museum. Among others there is the historical flag of the Vukovar
County. The date on the flag is inscribed 1797. The county
was established in 1747 and was briefly abolished (as all other
couties) in 1785 to be re-established in 1790. The flag might
have been made then to celebrate 50 years of the county or (as
was the case in the Požega County in 1797) as the flag of
the volunteer unit in the insurrection against Napoleon. I
contacted the museum to try to find out more about it. Other
flags shown on the page (click on each to get a large nice
photo!) are the flags of firebrigade of 1875, of the general
manufacturers' guild of 1890 and a flag of a cultural society
probably from the same period - a beautiful and intricate
Croatian national flag, unfortunately now in very bad shape, but
its original beauty is still visible.
Željko Heimer, 14 January 2006
