“STATE AND ARMY SYMBOLS, RITUALS AND INSIGNIA” SUBJECT

Module I : Anthem, coat of arms, flag

• Anthem- history of the creation of the national anthems after the Liberation of Bulgaria
• Coat of arms – origin, symbolic, identification, juxtaposition of the heraldic elements in the Bulgarian coat of arms’ system
• Flag- symbolic, development during the centuries, combat flags, state flag. The saving of the combat flags during World War I

Module II : Army insignia, army marches

• The Bulgarian awarding system after the Liberation – origin, significance, symbolic
• Army insignia – orders, medals, decorations- statute, awarding, seniority in the order’s system
• Introduction to the history of the origin of the oldest and the most emblematic orders in the world
• Army marches- history of the army marches that leaded the Bulgarian soldier in attack in the wars for National Liberation and Unification and their unique moralistic signification for raising the battle spirit and the patriotism of the army and the nation.

Module III : Army symbols and rituals

• Military oath – significance, origin, development
• Consecration of the combat flags- significance, history
• Epiphany’s consecration of water , Archangelic All Souls Day – tradition, memory
• 6th of May – Bravery’s Day and celebration of the Bulgarian Army
• The seven great victories of the Bulgarian army, anthem of the Bulgarian army- ritual symbolic

Module IV : Military uniform, military ranks

• Origins of the military uniform in the national armies
• Development of the Bulgarian military uniform after the Liberation
• Identification of typical elements and accessories of the military uniform according to the kind of armed forces
• Origins of the military ranks, the ranks in the Bulgarian army
• Identification of the acquainting signs of the Bulgarian army, observing of seniority, giving orders