German Religious Youth Group Flag "Tapfer u Treu", 1930.
This double faced, embroidered, metallic fringed flag is for a German religious youth group, dated to 1930. One side bears an appliqué and embroidered figure of a young man in Renaissance dress. The opposite side displays a curved black shield bearing a red Latin cross on a white rectangle. At the juncture of each arm of the cross is a stylized red blood drop, presumably representative of the passion of Christ. Above the cross is the German phrase "Tapfer u Treu" which can be roughly translated as Brave and Loyal. The phrase has a long history of use in Germany, and can be seen on many orders and decorations, patriotic items and organizational mottos.
Above and below the shield are two white, mirror image, white trapezoids with the Latin inscriptions, "Ave Maria" and "Salve Regina" (Hail Mary and Hail Holy Queen), both Marian antiphons sung in the Roman Catholic Church in praise of the Virgin Mary.
On either side of the shield are two stylized pink lilies, a flower that is also associated with veneration of the Virgin Mary. On the sides of the flag, there is an un-translated German inscription: "Jünglings- Sodalität - Buße".
A "Sodalität" is a association of individuals and it originated from the Latin word "sodalitas",which means friendship or comradeship!
"Jünglings" can be translated as adolescent and "Buße" as penance.
Provenance:Acquired at an Internet Auction, 1999.
ZFC Important Flag
Sources:
Salve Regina, Wikipedia, 30 April 2012, from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salve_Regina
Ave Maria, Wikipedia, 30 April 2012, from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ave_Maria
79th Infantry Division (Wehrmacht), Wikipedia, 30 April 2012, from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/79th_Infantry_Division_%28Wehrmacht%29
War Bravery Cross, (Tapfer und Treu) 2nd Class, Liverpool Medals Ltd, 30 April 2012, from: http://www.liverpoolmedals.com/War-Bravery-Cross-Tapfer-Und-Treu-2nd-class-dated-1914-L18196.html
Image Credits:
Zaricor Flag Collection
