#szekelys

[rvexillology]

Flag of szekelys (hungarian minority in Transylvania)

from /r/vexillology Top comment: [Székely anthem](https://youtu.be/rP6qNaRkkPg) [Coat of arms](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e2/Coat_of_arms_of_Szekely_Land.svg/2000px-Coat_of_arms_of_Szekely_Land.svg.png) [In the wild](https://dailynewshungary.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/2014-04-27-12.09.27.jpg) This was the flag adopted in 2004 by the Székely National Council, based in Romania. You can also see the flag outside the Hungarian Parliament, I believe. The flag's colors and sun and moon have represented the Székelys and their land for centuries, and can be found on [the coat of arms of Transylvania](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3d/Coa_Transylvania_Country_History_v3.svg/2000px-Coa_Transylvania_Country_History_v3.svg.png), and as a result, [Romania](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/70/Coat_of_arms_of_Romania.svg/2000px-Coat_of_arms_of_Romania.svg.png). The sun and moon originally came from Hungarian Paganism, but lost their religious significance when the Hungarians converted to Christianity in the 11th century. The Székely symbols are all beautiful, timeless, and with ancient roots. I like how they're all so tranquil. Despite the flag's reserved appearance, it's been the subject of much controversy. Random fact: Louis C.K.'s real name is Louis Székely (say-kay). Anybody not familiar with Hungarian writing (i.e. most people) would probably guess Székely was pronounced something like "Shekel-y".

[mapsontheweb]

Percentage of people declared as "Székely" in the 1850 census organized by the Habsburg authorities in Transylvania.

[kulttourtransylvania]

The Székely gate

(Source of the photo: http://historicaltextarchive.com/hungary/kapu2.jpg)

Székelys did not embrace their unique style specifically in architecture but in the way they decorated their gates and some parts of their houses. Székely gates are made of wood and are rich in carving and sometimes painting. Its structure is pretty simple, consisting of a large and a small gate, above which a carved balk is placed, high enough so drays full of hay could go through. Székelys usually carve celestial bodies, birds, floral motifes. On the gate’s pile they carve roses and wreaths or other patterns inspired by nature. In their culture the Sun symbolizes blessing, so it is always present on almost every object they decorate. It is believed that the decorations they use originates from China and from other Asian people’s beliefs. It spread from Beijing to Hungary and sometimes they were made in memory of Hungarians who died during migration. Well made Székely gates can be found in Hungary too (examples: Hajdúdorog, Miskolc), but mostly in Transylvania (Sepsiszentgyörgy/ Sfântu Gheorghe; Nyergestető/ Pasul Cașin; Szejke/ Băile Seiche; Csenáton/  Cernat village).

[thesignhunterz-blog]

In the Székelys (Secui) country, the signs are very often in 3 langages: Romanian, Hungarian and in Runes signs (shown at the bottom), an old alphabet used in central and northern Europe before the roman alphabet.

[limerinthian]

A noble Szekel born and bred, Full loftily I held my head; Great Attila my sire was he, As legacy he left to me A dagger, battle-axe and spear; A heart, to whom unknown is fear; A potent arm, which oft has slain The Tartar foe in field and plain. -popular song about a very old family of Transylvania, the Szekelys, quoted by Emily Gerard in "The the Land Before the Forest" (1888).