Red Cross

The Yugoslav Wars were a series of violent conflicts in the territory of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY) that took place between 1991 and 2001. They comprised two sets of successive wars affecting all of the six former Yugoslav republics. These wars were characterized by bitter ethnic conflicts rooted in various underlying political, economic and cultural problems, as well as long-standing ethnic and religious tensions. The civil wars ended with much of the former Yugoslavia reduced to poverty, massive economic disruption and persistent instability across the territories where the worst fighting occurred. The wars were the bloodiest conflicts on European soil since the end of World War II. They were also the first conflicts since World War II to have been formally judged genocidal in character and many key individual participants were subsequently charged with war crimes.  It is estimated that approximately 500 children who were under the age of 18 on July 11 1995 were victims of Srebrenica genocide.

Photo of a child corpse on display in the visitor's center in Srebrenica

The Red Cross has been present in Yugoslavia since 1875. Although fragmented in 1991, and despite enormous challenges, the validity of the Red Cross of Yugoslavia was confirmed and recognized by the ICRC in 1993.

This Yugoslavian stamp was issued in 1961 recognizing the International Red Cross as an international humanitarian movement whose stated mission is to protect human life and health, to ensure respect for the human being, and to prevent and alleviate human suffering, without any discrimination based on nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions. Tax proceeds from the stamp went to fund the Red Cross.

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The Meaning of Flowers (Japan)

Hanakotoba is the name given to the Japanese language of flowers.  In Hanakotoba, flowers are assigned hidden meanings and are used to express symbols of feelings, emotions, and messages.

Translated to English, Hana means flower
and Kotoba means word.

This stamp issued by Japan in 1991, honors the Japanese tradition of Hanakotoba.

 

This Honeysuckle  (Suikazura in Japanese) reflects generosity.

 

 

History:
Language of flowers, called Floriography, has been an ancient tradition celebrated throughout the world.  Using certain flowers and flower arrangements, Floriography allowed people to send hidden messages of feelings and thoughts that could not otherwise be transferred through spoken words.  Floriography entered Japan around 1870 and Japan’s independent language of flowers, Hanakotoba, became widespread soon after.  Since the end of World War II to the present, the use and understanding of Hanakotoba in Japan has receded due to the influence of Western lifestyle and culture.

Examples of Hanakotoba:

(Japanese, English: Meaning)

Sakura, Cherry Blossom:
Kind/Gentle

 

 

 

 

Shirayuri, White Lily:
Purity/Chastity

 

 

 

 

Renge, Lotus:
Far From the One He Loves

 

 

 

For more examples or to learn more:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanakotoba

A Word from the Ethnicitee Team:
The Ethnicitee Team was inspired by the Meaning of Flowers Japan stamp because it had rich historical value and showed a beautiful way that people communicate amongst one another.  Through research, we found that most ancient cultures did have some type of Floriography.  However, the Japanese Hanakotoba is a separate, independent Floriography.  This is an aspect of arts, history, and culture that people of all backgrounds can celebrate through their similarities as well as their differences.

  

The Ethnicitee Women’s Line is fashioned through soft handed inks and an assortment of special printing and foiling techniques. The palette for the Long Body Short Sleeve Crew Neck as well as our Vintage Sheer Scoop Neck is 100% combed ring spun cotton. The palette for the Baby Waffle Thermal and Thermal Hoody is a 55/45 poly/cotton blend.
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Ethnicitee Meaning of Flowers Japan apparel, click here!