The author | Ning Jingcheng
The "Commentary on the Interpretation of Texts" once recorded: "The flag, the flag has a multitude of antelopes to make the people also." ”
It can be seen that the flag is very important for the development of human society. Among them, the national flag is of great significance to a country.
Because the national flag is not only a symbol of a country, but also a symbol of national independence, which is closely related to the dignity of the country.
As early as 1949, Chairman Mao and Zhang Zhizhong had many discussions on the selection of the national flag. At that time, many people preferred the "one star and one yellow bar" plan, but Zhang Zhizhong opposed drawing a bar on the national flag.
Always outspoken, he deliberately approached Chairman Mao and expressed his thoughts. So, how does Chairman Mao view Zhang Zhizhong's proposal?
In order to clearly and thoroughly restore the scene at that time, it is necessary for us to make a simple outline of the experience of General Zhang Zhizhong.
Zhang Zhizhong of Gengzhi
In 1890, Zhang Zhizhong was born in Chao County, Anhui Province.
In 1906, at the age of 16, Zhang Zhizhong decided to go out and explore. He left his hometown with 24 silver dollars that his family had pieced together, determined to make a great achievement.
Six years later, Zhang Zhizhong entered the Army's 2nd Preparatory School. In 1916, he successfully graduated from the Baoding Army Officer School and immediately threw himself into the torrent of saving the country and survival.
In 1924, Chiang Kai-shek, then the principal of the Whampoa Military Academy, favored Zhang Zhizhong and personally appointed Zhang Zhizhong as the acting chief of the Whampoa 3rd Enlistment Corps and awarded him the rank of colonel.
However, it turned out that Zhang Zhizhong was indeed one of the few "sober people" in the Kuomintang army.
In 1945, before Chiang Kai-shek was preparing to start a civil war, Zhang Zhizhong wrote a letter to advise Chiang Kai-shek against the Kuomintang provoking a civil war. He said: "After eight years of protracted war of resistance on the mainland... The people are exhausted and are in the depths of the waters and fires every day. ...... If war breaks out again, it will increase the suffering of the people and violate their wishes. ”
Later, during Mao Zedong's negotiations in Chongqing, Zhang Zhizhong spared no effort to protect Mao Zedong's safety.
In the process, his efforts were also seen by mao zedong and Zhou Enlai and others. Mao Zedong later commented on Zhang Zhizhong: "He is the one who really wants peace." ”
From the above experience, we can know that General Zhang Zhizhong is a straightforward and peace-loving person, and his heart always has the country and the people in his heart. Chairman Mao was obviously well aware of this.
Different views on the selection of the flag
On the eve of the founding of New China in 1949, major newspapers across the country, including the People's Daily, published the "Notice on Soliciting the Pattern of the National Flag and the National Emblem and the Lyrics of the National Song" to solicit the best plan at home and abroad.
That notice made the following requirements for the design of the flag:
1. Chinese characteristics (such as geography, ethnicity, history, culture, etc.);
II. Characteristics of the regime (people's democratic dictatorship led by the working class and based on the alliance of workers and peasants);
Third, the form is rectangular, the ratio of three and two in length and width, mainly solemn and concise;
Fourth, the color is mainly red, and other colors can be used.
In just one month after the announcement, the relevant departments received a total of 1920 national flag manuscripts and 2992 patterns. It is worth mentioning that the participants come from all walks of life.
One of the fighters who had bravely killed the enemy on the battlefield described in an article how the People's Liberation Army discussed the pattern of the national flag in the trenches: "We took advantage of the battle gap, just on the position, in the trenches, and in the sound of gunfire to discuss these three patterns (the author's note: that is, the pattern of the national flag). ”
Some fighters later recalled: "Asking for advice on the pattern of the national flag shows that a new China will soon be established." On the day of the founding of New China, I will hold a gun and put on a meritorious service medal and solemnly take a picture under the national flag. ”
This is everyone's vision of a better life in the future.
In summary, these manuscripts are classified and roughly divided into 4 categories.
The first category: 2/3 of the flag is red, 1/3 is white, blue, yellow, and added red or yellow five-pointed stars;
The second category: composed of two-color or three-color horizontal strips (vertical strips), and then add five-pointed stars, hammers, jiahe, and gears;
The third category: Jiahe, gear or plus five-pointed star;
The fourth category: scythe and axe crossover, plus a five-pointed star.
After careful study of the above four types of schemes, it is unanimously agreed that the latter three types are not in line with the national system and are not recommended. It is recommended to select the winning works from the first category.
Carefully selected, 38 design options stand out. Among them, there were 3 big hits at that time. They are: "Fuzi No. 1" (there is a large five-pointed star above the red flag), "Fuzi No. 3" (two yellow bars in the middle representing the Yellow River and the Yangtze River) and "Compound Character No. 4" (adding a yellow bar in the middle to represent the Yellow River).
Among these three schemes, the "Compound Character No. 4" was initially supported by many people, while the prototype of the five-star red flag, the "Compound Character No. 32" designed by Zeng Liansong, did not attract much attention.
The reason why everyone favors the above three designs is because the Chinese nation has a long history, so in order to highlight this sense of history and culture, the Yellow River, the Yangtze River and the Pearl River are obviously very representative, and these three designs more or less contain the above elements.
However, Zhang Zhizhong resolutely opposed the plan of "one big star and one bar". He had already made up his mind and was determined to personally present his views to Chairman Mao.
On September 23, 1949, Mao Zedong hosted a banquet in Zhongnanhai for delegates to the New Cppcc Committee meeting, and Zhang Zhizhong was invited to attend. In his opinion, this is undoubtedly a great opportunity to express his opinion.
During the banquet, when there was no one around Chairman Mao, Zhang Zhizhong stepped forward with a wine glass and asked softly: "Chairman Mao, there is one thing I want to ask you, if you are not willing to let everyone know your opinion publicly, I will keep it a secret for you." ”
Chairman Mao did not know what Zhang Zhizhong wanted to ask, so he did not immediately express his position. He said to Zhang Zhizhong, "You say! ”
Zhang Zhizhong said, "Chairman Mao, which national flag pattern do you agree with?" ”
Mao Zedong was stunned at first, because his opinion was no longer a secret, and many people already knew it, so he said happily: "I agree with the picture of a star and a Yellow River, what is your opinion?" ”
Zhang Zhizhong shook his head and said, "I don't agree. ”
"Why?" Chairman Mao asked.
Zhang Zhizhong explained: "Drawing a bar on the national flag, the pattern is divided into two, the meaning is not good; moreover, it is not scientific to use a bar to represent the Yellow River, and the people will think of Sun Monkey's golden hoop stick!" ”
Chairman Mao listened, nodded his head, and said, "Makes sense, so let's find time to make an appointment for everyone to study and study together." ”
Zeng Liansong designed "Compound Character No. 32"
Two days later, in Zhongnanhai Fengze Garden, Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai summoned Guo Moruo, Shen Yanbing, Huang Yanpei, Chen Jiageng, and Zhang Zhizhong to discuss the selection of the national flag.
Above the meeting, Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai reviewed the grass paper of various national flag patterns and had ideas in their minds. Only to see Chairman Mao look around, and finally set his eyes on Zhang Zhizhong and said: "Mr. Zhang Zhizhong feels that this pattern ('Compound Character No. 4') is divided into two, the meaning is not good, and it is easy for the common people to have the illusion that this horizontal bar is regarded as the golden hoop stick of Sun Monkey instead of the Yellow River." If you think about it, it seems that this is indeed a problem, what do you think? ”
When the crowd listened, they all felt justified.
Chairman Mao went on to say: "Those who oppose the use of a yellow bar and a five-pointed star only account for 1/4 to 1/3 of the congress, and if they want to pass, it will certainly be no problem, but this is not satisfactory enough." We must choose a picture that allows the whole audience to pass unanimously, and everyone will think about it. ”
Many people listened to it and always felt that they should add "Chinese characteristics" to the design of the national flag, and the discussion was at an impasse for a while.
At this time, in order to inspire everyone to think, open up ideas. Chairman Mao suggested: "We always want to add Chinese characteristics to the national flag, so we use a horizontal bar to represent the Yellow River." However, the flags of the Soviet Union and many European and American countries do not have the characteristics of the country, and these characteristics can be fully expressed on the national emblem! ”
Perhaps inspired by Chairman Mao, tian Han, an artist on the side, approached with a design drawing and recommended it to Chairman Mao: "This is a very ideal picture, but is the sickle and axe on it necessary?" ”
Chairman Mao took the drawing and his eyes lit up.
This is the original design draft of the later five-star red flag - the "compound character 32" designed by Zeng Liansong.
Regarding Zeng Liansong, it is necessary for the author to introduce it here.
Zeng Liansong was originally from Zhejiang and has loved calligraphy and painting since he was a teenager. Later, although he engaged in financial work, Zeng Liansong's love for calligraphy and painting did not diminish at all.
Referring to the design of the national flag, Zeng Liansong later recalled: "The reason why we do not measure the strength and morality and do not count the clumsiness is really a joy to cheer the birth of new China, and a kind of ardent patriotic passion." ”
After the People's Daily and other newspapers and periodicals issued a notice to solicit the design of the national flag, Zeng Liansong was very excited. He read the requirements over and over again and was inspired by what people often call "looking to the stars, hoping for the moon."
Zeng Liansong thought to himself: Isn't the Communist Party of China the great savior of the people? From this point of view, he used a five-pointed star to symbolize the great Chinese Communist Party. After that, he also elaborated the design: with a big star to represent the Communist Party of China, with a small star to represent the broad masses of the people, the people closely around the party, united to fight, toward victory.
During this period, Zeng Liansong deliberately designed the five-pointed star as yellow, because it not only harmonized with the red color symbolizing the revolution, but also very solemn, representing the national characteristics of the yellow race of the sons and daughters of China.
Finally, after Zeng Liansong's painstaking meditation, the proper positions of the five Venus stars were determined.
At first, he wanted to place the big star in the center of the picture, and the small star surrounded it. However, if it is designed in this way, it will lead to the fact that the world is not open enough and appears to be cramped.
After repeated reversals, Zeng Liansong decided to place the five-pointed star on the upper left side of the flag, so that the vision was more open, and Venus shone brightly, as if people saw the starlight shining on the earth.
Sure enough, Chairman Mao, after receiving the drawing handed by Tian Han, exclaimed: "This is good, not bad, the sickle and axe can be removed." ”
At this time, some people put forward views on the meaning of the five-star red flag designed by Zeng Liansong. Chairman Mao explained:
"The victory of the Chinese revolution was achieved under the leadership of the Communist Party, on the basis of the workers and peasants, in the unity of the petty bourgeoisie and the national bourgeoisie, in the common struggle; this is the historical fact of the Chinese revolution, and we must make joint efforts to build socialism in the future. I see that this pattern reflects the reality of the Chinese revolution and the great unity of the revolutionary people on the mainland. Not only should we unite now, but we will also unite in the future, and I think this pattern is a better pattern. ”
Chairman Mao's words accurately explained the profound meaning of the five-star red flag, and everyone present agreed.
After listening to Chairman Mao's words, Zhang Zhizhong could no longer contain his inner excitement: "I think it is still the 32nd!" ”
Chen Jiageng agreed: "I came back from the northeast, and I am very concerned about the national flag issue. I fully agree with Chairman Mao's statement on the pattern of the national flag. ”
Liang Sicheng also expressed his opinion: "I think the 'compound character 32' pattern is very good, the multi-star represents the great unity of the people, and the red represents the revolution, indicating the great unity of the revolutionary people." ”
As a result, the selection of the national flag was settled.
We love the five-star red flag
On September 27, 1949, the first plenary session of the Chinese Political Consultative Conference unanimously passed a resolution: "The national flag of the People's Republic of China is a five-star red flag, symbolizing the great unity of the Chinese revolutionary people." ”
At this time, there are only 3 days left before the founding ceremony. Before the founding ceremony, the people of the capital finally produced many five-star red flags after 3 days of rushing to make them. It is worth mentioning that there is a special large national flag, which is the first five-star red flag raised by Chairman Mao at the founding ceremony.
On October 1, 1949, with Chairman Mao's announcement: "The Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China has been established today!" Accompanied by the solemn singing of the "March of the Volunteer Army", the five-star red flag was raised in Tiananmen Square.
Later, in response to a question from a reader at Xinhua News Agency, the People's Daily explained the national flag: "The red color of the flag of the national flag of the People's Republic of China symbolizes revolution. The five five-pointed stars on the flag and their interrelationship symbolize the great unity of the revolutionary people under the leadership of the Communist Party. The star is yellow to show light on the red earth, the yellow is brighter and more beautiful than white, and the four small five-pointed stars each have a tip facing the center point of the large star, which means that they are united around a center. ”
On National Day in 1950, Zeng Liansong, as the designer of the national flag, was invited to the Tiananmen Observatory.
On the 30th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Zeng Liansong was once again invited to Beijing to participate in the celebrations. He said with great emotion: The five-star red flag is a great achievement of the bloody struggle of countless heroes and revolutionary fighters for more than a hundred years, but I only expressed a little heart, but the country and the people gave me a high honor. ”
What left the deepest impression on the author was the poem written by the poet Ai Qing, who had participated in the preparatory work, "The National Flag":
"We love the five-star red flag like we love our own hearts, without a heart, there is no life." We guard it, it is our dignity. We follow it, and it leads us forward. ”
I would like to dedicate this article to the increasingly powerful motherland!
End one by one