Fun With Flags - Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania)

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In this episode of #FunWithFlags I talk about the history, evolution and meaning of the flags of the Baltic States: Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
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[@General.Knowledge]

Which flag would you like me to do next?

[@teoolte]

Latvia!

[@kbx2.]

Japan 🇯🇵

[@thequinnimator]

England/UK, if not done then can you do Australia/new Zealand?

[@Superrichy261985]

Pommern

[@MadMaxZ05]

Can you do Ukraine already?

[@doorstopper674]

Video: mentions baltic country Baltic people: allow us to introduce ourselves

[@voyaqe]

tere

[@annadartanagle104]

Sveiki!🇱🇻

[@ziepturis6942]

@@annadartanagle104 čau

[@ziepturis6942]

@@voyaqe tere päevast

[@PersonManManManMan]

Sveiki no Latvijas!

[@SkaMyEaH]

As Latvian, we with Estonia and Lithuanians are brothers. We will always be family and will not let others push us around. Zirgagalvas and Teres unite!

[@JonasGmusic]

Broliukas

[@Kathkere]

@AiniusYT A1N1U5 And I as a Swede says Estonia is nordic! If they choose to. Otherwise, if they want to go with baltics, then that is cool as well! I really like the baltic countries. You have the like the oldest maintained culture in Europe in spite of the foreign conquerors.

[@BitWise501]

​@@Kathkere well they took west baltic tribes name as country name. So they are Baltic by proxy.

[@blueeyedbaer]

@@Kathkere Well Estonians want to call themselves Nordic instead of Baltic. But current Nordic countries don't see them as a Nordic country.

[@andreapovilaityte6149]

I’m from Lithuania! :DD

[@toomashaller]

I'm from Estonia and I love Latvians and Lithuanians. We are very close culturally and we should stick together.

[@ignastamulis8702]

I'm from Lithuania and I love so much Latvians and Estonians, because it our brothers and sisters

[@p4ul11n3]

hi! i'm from latvia and we must stick together

[@_Derka]

Hi I am Latvian and I like tarhun, that's a dring

[@ignastamulis8702]

@its ignas Geras, aš irgi Ignas ;)

[@KyojinDarag]

Lithuanian i am. Luv u to lads.

[@rev31089]

Other countries: “So the colors in our flag repesent peace, unity and religion.” Latvia: *BLOOOOOOOD*

[@andreispurim]

BLOOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD

[@lasttoiletpaperroll3685]

BLOOOOOOOD

[@riccards]

BLOOOOOOOOOOD

[@dominiksdadzitis5963]

KAADS NO JUMS PAMANIJA KA TUR BACROUNDĀ SKAN LATVIJAS HIMNA😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@Foxguy_123]

@@andreispurim xd tu skaties tecnnoblade?

[@Sebastian-ys7pg]

Damn, the baltic countries are too underrated These beautiful countries definitely deserve more attention and visitors from the rest of Europe and the world Btw: Austria has a similar story to its red-white-red flag

[@fidenemini111]

We would be happy to have less attention from Russia.

[@V1toldas]

As much as I support the idea of the Baltics becoming more popular and known, I must say no. We are well aware of how tourists tend to ruin beautiful places and I would never hope for Lithuania, Latvia or Estonia to be ruined. This is a gem of Europe, which needs to be protected with its dozens of lakes, rivers, forests and well, basically nature. I'm a Lithuanian and I've travelled a lot through Europe and the US. What I can say is that there's not better place to live than in the Baltics. Of course, some people would choose the cement and asphalt all the time, but I like that in Lithuania, for instance, it takes less than 30 minutes to get next to the lake, river or forest and just chill with your friends in the nature. Maybe that's because my blood has pagan roots, but I would never imagine a life in the US where woods are a rare thing to see. Much proud that the three sisters managed to find a balance between modern lifestyle and nature.

[@pineappleproductions1696]

@@V1toldas pritariu

[@SterbeinSiamion]

Baltic countries have a lot of tourists actually

[@Markizas.Karabasas]

Musicart well said

[@cometthetigress]

I'm fully American but I lived in Latvia for 16 years, and I absolutely love that beautiful country! The Baltic States definitely deserve more recognition, thanks for making this video!

[@olafharoldsonnii4713]

Are the winters harsh and do you see the sun?

[@ieatbabieseveryday]

@@olafharoldsonnii4713 i am a resident of latvia, and well "winters so hot for murica" so hot for latvians

[@elisiejuskumiscius9442]

Best wishes to all Baltic Brothers!

[@ziepturis6942]

Paldies

[@carleryk]

You mean Latvians, since Estonians are Finnic sisters with Finland?

[@sk.priker]

Thanks

[@lampojolo1442]

Paldies pacan

[@riccards]

Paldies

[@simplex_5270]

Fun fact. Here in Lithuania you may experience all 4 seasons of the year in a day. If you're Lithuanian you know what i'm talking about.

[@PersonManManManMan]

Same in Latvia, Sveiki Brāļi!

[@scaramouchiefandango5060]

Yep, such good times. I miss the winter's though (Past tense because I no longer live there)

[@HelenaKindlam]

Same thing in Estonia actually.

[@mazasis_princas456]

Yeah lol

[@thomgaming6312]

Yup 😐

[@liltinglullaby3282]

Love to the Baltics from Hungary! 🇭🇺❤🇱🇻❤🇪🇪❤🇱🇹

[@wizzotizzo]

Thank you from Lithuania! 🇱🇹

[@bacha4449]

Thank you from Latvia

[@songrada1]

Stephen Báthory was hungarian ruler of lithuania and poland

[@kristoferrim]

A Sagittis Hungrarorum Libera Nos Domine greetings from Estonia!

[@JustOneGirl81]

Don`t know why Hungarians love us so much but it is cute and sending love to Hungary too!

[@J11_boohoo]

I've never seen a flag just like the one of Estonia, the colors pretty cool

[@mortensaask4140]

Thanks

[@Karltartu]

Thanks from Estonia!😊

[@lifecycles9861]

Also estonian flag looks like a forest in dark winter day. Ah my country has the most beautiful flag 🇪🇪.

[@stnldvs]

LifeCycles Ayyy Estonian gang

[@hermitcrabs961]

@@lifecycles9861 I wouldn't say it's the most beautiful flag but it is unique with its colors

[@mmvatrix5660]

Thank you for not messing up the origin story of my country, Latvia, great job! And personally, I would really appreciate a more in depth video about Latvia.

[@General.Knowledge]

I'll add it to my list!

[@PersonManManManMan]

I would appreciate it too, really detailed and awesome video btw!!!

[@someone-iv2yy]

I think Latvia is so underrated because of how small it is. I think Latvia is a really beautiful country(i a from Latvia) All the baltics like this comment lets see how many we are🇱🇻🇪🇪🇱🇹

[@archstanton6102]

The 3 Baltic states just agreed a Covid-19 travel bubble. Stuck in a very small SE Asia country I am very jealous

[@aubreypizarro2494]

Philippines? I'm from there

[@aubreypizarro2494]

@survival pete ji

[@archstanton6102]

@@aubreypizarro2494 Brunei. But was in Cebu 2 years ago

[@teriasy]

@@archstanton6102 how is it in there? Edit: asked since a well known youtuber said their life wasn't best in there. Not asking to be rude, just like to know how other countries are holding up during this hard time

[@dailysandwich4838]

Yup going to Lithuania soon. Good luck from LV🇱🇻

[@wierdo-jc7xv]

Love from Georgia to our baltic brothers🇬🇪❤ 🇱🇻🇪🇪🇱🇹

[@wierdo-jc7xv]

@@derasas yes we know and we apriciate it❤❤❤

[@Dinzass]

Thanks iam from 🇱🇹

[@akastenas]

Greetings to our Georgian cousins also!

[@DoMinTick]

Im Estonian :)

[@karvapea50]

💪🏻

[@ferhatdikmen3762]

The legend of the wounded king of latvia is great .

[@General.Knowledge]

I feel like my drawings from Paint really brought it to life

[@diegodesouza5382]

Haha yes lol

[@stylishaaviators7245]

Ikr

[@royaltek]

I AM MORTALLY WOUNDED

[@markkus-oliverollo]

@@royaltek Mortis reference

[@edvardskalva]

This was way more interesting than I anticipated. As a latvian myself I really enjoyed this video! Great job!

[@ralfsbelohvosciks7466]

As a Latvian I can say, this was really well made and helped me learn something new about my own country and our braļuka lithuania and sister estonia!

[@WindRider1314]

Sveiki! :D Broliukai! :D Aš esu iš Lietuvos! :D

[@PoeticDream]

@@WindRider1314 Sveiki! Es esmu no Latvijas!🙂 Mīlu mūsu brāli lietuvu un māsu Igauniju!🙃 Hello! I'm from Latvia! I love our brother Lithuania and our sister Estonia!

[@JustOneGirl81]

If all go as planned then I come to visit Latvia after quite long time :) Nice to visit our Baltic brothers and sisters :)

[@Lamane_suprame]

Tu brokolis

[@A-A_P]

As an estonian, who is interested history, one thing to mention about Estonian flag is that in the modern form it came into being first in 1881 as the flag of EÜS (Eesti üliõpilaste selts, Estonian (university) students' society). If anybody is interested, wikipedia has an english article about that organisation. After the indenpendence this flag was chosen to be the flag of the Republic of Estonia.

[@Kathkere]

That is an awesome piece of trivia, cheers for sharing :)

[@m2ukass]

Also adding here too - Estonia does not have an alternative flag. The one mentioned in the video is the flag of the president at sea. There's a different flag for the president on land that doesn't have those pointy bits. President has the flag hoisted at his/her residence, on his/her vehicle and sometimes in the ceremonies he/her visits.

[@ricomuru9486]

That flaf became synonomous with estonians and estonian nationalism during the National Awakening so it was the only option for the countries flag

[@andrisgailitis]

@@m2ukass kind of same for Latvia, we dont have the second flag, flag in the video is naval flag

[@Notmyname1593]

@@andrisgailitis At least he didn`t put the airforces flag there, that could have left a wrong impression on some people.

[@rickynuckles5454]

You know my step father is from Lithuania. He told me you really made his county look good. So on behalf of my stepfather, thank you

[@sharenumbers1143]

You should visit Lithuania.

[@erikakazakeviciene3877]

yh u should its cool country and u should try to eat šaltibaršiai and cepelinai

[@noland29]

The story presented here about the provenance of the Estonian flag is something which I've seen only once hypothesized in a book by an amateur historian before WWII to try and extend the possible historical roots of the flag as far as the 13th century by tying it with religious heraldry and the Livonian Order, which is very far-fetched. Plus there is no proof whatsoever of the pictured idealized flag with the black cross on blue and white ever being used. Unlike the Latvians who have that story of the mortally wounded chief, there wasn't anything for Estonians to pick from history, as Estonia wasn't unified before the crusaders' conquest, being fragmented into smaller chiefdoms, who spoke different dialects of pre-standardized Estonian, and there are no accounts of any of these chiefdoms' flags or symbols. The last thing that disgruntled Estonians, whom had been exploited and considered more as a resource than human beings for 700 years by the start of the 20th century, would do is base their symbol of national identity on something from their German "masters". The official origin of the Estonian tricolour starts in 1881. As Estonians in Estonia and Northern Livonia had been gradually given more rights starting from 1816-19, the first Estonians got to enroll in the region's only university (in Tartu, which was in Northern Livonia back then) and by the end of the century, since the dominating "posh" culture and language before the failed russification by Tsars Alexander III and his successor Nicholas II was German, the first educated Estonians mimicked Germans by adopting their traditions and mannerisms. From doing so it was inevitable that taking after German student corporations Estonian students would try and establish their own student corporations, many of which were unapproved. One of these failed attempts led to the establishment of the Estonian Students' Society in 1881, which was in essence the same as a corporation, but were considered lower by corporations and didn't have all the same rules and dogmas of the latter. This society adopted a tricolour, which was the most common type of flag for all German or German-inspired student corporations, which bore the colours we know now as the colours of Estonia. These colours were chosen at the founding of the later unapproved corporation by student Gottlieb Peter Alexander Mõttus, assigning fitting colours to actual tenets and national romanticist topics: honesty and loyalty to the national awakening inspired the colour blue, the soil on which ancestors have long lived on gave way to black and white symbolises the struggle for fortune and enlightment. The flag made of silk was consecrated in 1884 Soon enough the flag was banned by the Tsarist government to suppress any public display of dissent or national identity which made the flag all the more sweeter obviously and by WWI all Estonians identified themselves with this flag, this being the first flag that was the work of Estonians. The flag was used allover when declaring independence in 1918, the flag was used when fighting the Soviets for independence 1918-1920 and the flag was finally made the official flag of Estonia by constitution in 1922. Interesting trivia: At first there was some confusion over the colours and many saw the colour green to represent the grass and florae more befitting than white. The original silk flag still exists and is being preserved at the National Museum of Estonia. In 1922 there were also less-popular proposals, e.g. adopting the tsarist governorate's green-violet-white combination, the current tricolour with white in the middle and black at the bottom or in the form of a nordic cross to better display siblinghood with Finland. The official blue of the national flag before WWII was much lighter than nowadays. The Soviets not only banned the flag (after annexing Estonia in 1940 and again in 1944) but also sentenced people displaying the colours in any way (e.g. the three colours as stripes on a knit sweater) to forced labour up until 1987. The Soviets considered the tricolour to be that bad of an influence on freedom-seeking Estonians that the colour combination was extremely rare even on everyday household items. The Germans on the contrary during their occupation in 1941-44 allowed the flags to be hoisted as to win over Estonians and further boost their hostility toward Soviet Russians.

[@Qndrj]

Yes! That is the true story of the Estonian flag. Most probably the current blue black and white does not have anything to do with the flag of Terra Mariana.

[@robloxplayer1player831]

Copy and paste No offence

[@noland29]

why dont we fan Yeah, “copy and paste” flags have been around forever, the Union Jacks on Commonwealth flags, USA also owes its flag to the British East India Company, the Russian flag was born from Peter I ripping off the Dutch flag, not all but some of the Slavic nations’ flag in turn from Russian, flags in Indochina from Thailand, the crosses in Scandinavia, African tricolours, the list goes on and on.

[@joriscincikas4387]

Why the hell is this comment so long?

[@donfeloni3923]

@@joriscincikas4387 Because history takes time?

[@lukaswask]

Love the Baltics!🇱🇹🇱🇻🇪🇪

[@Dinzass]

Thanks you from 🇱🇹

[@AnanjevJegor]

Thanks from 🇪🇪

[@ziepturis6942]

Thanks from🇱🇻

[@PersonManManManMan]

Paldies no Latvijas (Thanks from Latvia)

[@jurgita8886]

Thx for telling. 🇱🇹🇱🇹🇱🇹

[@GeographyWorld]

Estonia has such a great flag. It symbolises their winter landscape of sky, trees and snow. Some what it changed to a Nordic Cross.

[@latviantrainy968]

Well Latvia's flag is a Blood and a white bandage and It's 2nd oldest flag in the world

[@theultimatefreak666]

Literally stealing Ukraines idea (blue sky, yellow wheat fields)

[@intskassy5203]

For gods sake... Its just a coincidence... They represent the sky the dirt where our dead rest and our crops grow, and the white represents freedom. :) (Older and much mature way to see estonian flag) (Please its just an opinion and its based on old writings so dont get salty)

[@sylinic6081]

@@theultimatefreak666 lol the ukraine, a shithole. since when are flag definitions invented by ukrainians?

[@blitzpreps8820]

The winter landscape is fake news. Refer to ints kassy‘s comment, he‘s got it right.

[@Roya-fd1qv]

Every baltic country: Clicks on a video if their country is mentioned, im not wrong tho

[@manlikeilyas]

cause theyre small and no one knows them

[@aislingnokuni2370]

Latvia: the most epic origin of a flag

[@64rixi]

The same story is existing for the origin of my country’s flag - Austria. It is also red-white-red.

[@aislingnokuni2370]

Wow, I didn't know about Austria. I'll look for the history of your Flag. Is a romantic-tragic-poetic.

[@RoberttheWise]

@@64rixi Isn't the story of Austria's flag a little bit different? I remember the story being that it was the white shirt of a lord drenched in the blood of his enemies and the white stripe stayed clean where his sword belt was.

[@latviets8934]

@@RoberttheWise latvia have cherry red i think

[@garaldtheexplorer8416]

@@64rixi ngl feel like Austria's red is a little to bright to represent blood

[@spr35441]

I’m from the US but there are no three countries that I love and respect more than the Baltics. I’m learning Latvian at the moment and can’t wait to visit hopefully next summer!

[@LeeTheWhiteDove]

I suppose after Russia started war, you decided to postpone on visiting?

[@LatvianTanker]

Everythings great about Latvia but the 3 stars on coat of arms represent the historic regions of Kurzeme(Courland), Vidzeme and Latgale, I will agree that Vidzeme could be called Swedish Livonia and Latgale called Polish Livonia but I really haven't heared anyone call them so, but in any way, great video!

[@Nyyckaulhas]

Vidzeme is a relatively recent term, and even if the word Latgale is old, its geographical boundaries have varied in history and were much less fixed than they are now. The word itself was somewhat revived after 1905, with the awakening of Latgalians seeking for reunification with the rest of Latvia. The terms of Swedish Livonia and Polish Livonia are clearly outdated, but they were the most commonly used denomination during the First Awakening in the mid-1800s, when the modern symbols of Latvia were established.

[@lolikususs]

@@Nyyckaulhas Vidzeme is used since 17. cent.

[@Nyyckaulhas]

@@lolikususs It might have been used for the first time in 17. century as you said. But the usage has been somewhat marginal until the 19. century. And the 17. century is relatively recent if you compare it with the first mentions of Kurzeme, Zemgale, Latgale, Līvzeme, Sēlija, etc. In which text did you see it? I might not know all the uses of Vidzeme, this word is somehow harder to trace. In 17. and 18. century sources (Truce of Altmark, Treaty of Nystad, etc.), the region is referred to as Swedish Livonia. Even in later sources of tsarist Russia, it is difficult to find a clear distinction between Northern Latvia and Southern Estonia (as they are collectively administered by the governorate of Livonia). The distinction of Latvian and Estonian parts really started to draw during the Awakening. But even then, Vidzeme is not the only used term, and still in the 1910s the Baltic Germans call the region Südlivland (South Livonia).

[@robertbaron8721]

Polish name of Livonia is Inflanty

[@mantaspaskevicius6293]

Ps not polish, but polish-lithuanian

[@augakem]

Estonians: Great video! Enjoyed it! Latvians: I'm from Latvia! Lithuanians: like if ur lietuvis lol

[@zaneplotka1069]

Bad joke,but true.

[@MaybeMattMartin]

Im ashamed of being Lithuanian, everyone here just try to flex in front of eachother

[@augakem]

@@MaybeMattMartin We need time to absorb memes and gather pieces of shattered and grammarless opinions.

[@The3Virus]

Great Video! Enjoyed it!

[@Alex-ud6ew]

Lietuviai sveiki visi! Lol

[@potatogravy]

I love Baltic countries

[@minedoimperija]

Thx

[@astadauskas]

Well you wont like our Suicide numbers per capita.

[@astadauskas]

@@keltainenkeitto Bruh we got our independence by singing.

[@fidenemini111]

@@keltainenkeitto Yet again the comment says more about the commenter himself than about the subject of the comment.

[@astadauskas]

@@keltainenkeitto 1. Barely any hookers 2. Most of the people aren't poor 3. We aren't insane, we just have high suicide ratings.

[@nogrills7351]

As a proud latvian i can only say thank you! Love from the baltic states to you all! Be careful and dont get sick!

[@SupremeLeaderKimJong-un]

Can’t forget about the legendary We Are The Winners by Lithuania

[@qw8461]

thanks Kim

[@doomi4055]

Thx Supreme Kimmy

[@ugodgud]

Thanks Kim 💙💙

[@pupsikkhan]

I'm gonna tell drew that you're actually Lithuanian and not korean.

[@pupsikkhan]

@justrix 9 Yes exactly.

[@lukgenutis]

Thanks for making a video on Baltic States. As Lithuanian living in UK for many years I often meet people who have never heard of my country or cannot locate it on the map which is funny I mean we are small, but we are strong. Lithuanian National anthem playing on 2:40 cool!

[@mosttriumphantvideos]

Thanks for making this! As a Latvian-American, I enjoyed learning about this. Most of the info was new to me. Would definitely appreciate a full Latvian episode you alluded to in this vid. Thanks!

[@1MuchButteR1]

I have never met any Latvians in USA. In which States is there latvian ancestry or immigration?

[@mosttriumphantvideos]

1MuchButteR1 New York, Michigan, Wisconsin. Chicago was an area many moved to after the US opened their borders in the 60s. Many went to Australia before the US let Latvians in too.

[@1MuchButteR1]

@@mosttriumphantvideos I see. Still I see Lithuanians in Chicago all the time it seems Latvians came in few numbers and integrated rather quickly as Americans.

[@scaramouchiefandango5060]

As a fellow Lithuanian, I'm glad that the Baltic's had been explained to others outside the states. Who may not understand what the Baltic states are. Also, I'm rather happy you got what the Lithuanian flag colours mean correct. That was probably the first thing we learnt in school alongside the importance of the coat of arms flag. Alongside traditional dances and learning poems (I just to live in a small village compared to a city so that's why I got taught those), I miss the beauty of the Baltic countries as I haven't been there for 8 years no, having moved out to the UK.

[@dimitriqqq]

🇱🇹Grand Duchy of Lithuania🇱🇹

[@papazataklaattiranimam]

Кирилл Окушко Lithuanians ruled many slavic peoples even though their very few population

[@zuikis121-]

@@papazataklaattiranimam Wouldn't exactly say Lithuanians ruled many slavic people, the grand dutchy did get a lot of help from the Belarusians for instance (Belarus even used the old Lithuanian flag as their national emblem a while back), and I am not partisan as I am Lithuanian myself

[@1MuchButteR1]

@@papazataklaattiranimam Lithuania Proper was a very important demographic area of Greater Lithuania. Russian Empire policies reduced it to smaller numbers.

[@hatinmyselfiscool2879]

Sword of Justice not really. They weren‘t really under control tbh

[@skaisteceponyte1505]

Hello am from Lithuania

[@robinmikkelsson4008]

The story about the Latvian flag, I remember our history teacher mentioned that the sheet they used was the emergency surrender white flag, and during the siege of the town of Cēsis, supplies ran low and they surrendered. But because their white banner was stained with the red, the attackers believed the townsfolk had a sudden wave of courage and anger, and the attackers backed off.

[@elizaelerte3281]

As a Latvian, I was taught that the three stars represented three regions of Latvia, not the historic (foreign-ruled) states. That seems to be the official historical interpretation. It also roughly matches the territory of the ancient tribes inhabiting the territory of the modern Latvia and who have formed the base of the Latvian nation. I might have been misled of course. One thing though - Courland is pronounced as [Ku:rland]. [Coorland]. Kurzeme in Latvian, 'zeme' meaning land. Not [Cowrland]. But thanks a lot for the video! A nice refresher about my own country and our dearly beloved neighbours and brothers Eesti and Lietuva.

[@doloresaelza9530]

They represent Kurzeme, Vidzeme and Latgale not the history

[@dimitrisk.5745]

I was expecting to hear sth abt the darker tone of red,the so called "latvian red". It makes the flag so unique together with the smaller white stripe.

[@dailysandwich4838]

No one says that. It's blood red

[@doorstopper674]

@@dailysandwich4838 literally

[@warchiefoomii]

@@dailysandwich4838 it's actually 'carmine'

[@dailysandwich4838]

@@warchiefoomii yea thats what its called but im just saying people dont call it Latvian red. They usually call it blood red.

[@hendriktonisson2915]

As an Estonian I see my country more as Baltic than Nordic. Similarly to Finland being the the only Finno-Ugric Nordic country, Estonia is the only Finno-Ugric Baltic state. Although the Estonian language is not similar to Latvian or Lithuanian languages we have quite similar cultures and common history.

[@carleryk]

As an Estonian I feel completely opposite. I think that Estonia and Finland should form a separate region in Northern Europe. We should definitely be together in one region, it's ridiculous that we are in separate regions right now. Our culture and language is the most similar to Finland and genetically most ethnic Estonians resemble the most with Finnish Swedes. It was Soviet propaganda that tried to show Balts as "brothers" of Estonians. It might be genetically more true with Southern Estonians but as a whole nation no. Nordic literally means just "North" whereas Baltic meaning is more similar to Scandinavia (region with close linguistic, cultural and genetic ties). As I said earlier, I'd prefer if Estonia and Finland would have separate Finnic region.

[@UneEtincelleNocturne]

@@carleryk It's not Soviet propaganda to say that Latvians and Estonians have A LOT in common, if not linguistically, then culturally and historically. 800 years together being part of the same kingdoms, two World Wars spent fighting together, then 50 years in the USSR together. Latvia and Estonia have more (recorded) history together than Latvia and Lithuania, which is kind of funny considering we 🇱🇻 🇱🇹 come from the same peoples. And yeah, it would definitely make more sense to call the Finland-Estonia region the Finnic States; the only reason it hasn't caught on is because you guys don't have a land border. But that's just my personal theory - I might be wrong!

[@carleryk]

@@UneEtincelleNocturne First of all, Estonia has not been one country most of the written history time (North was Estland and South was Livonia). Even Ests themselves didn't have the same ruler all the time and definitely not 800 years, maybe about 400 years (Estland was part of Denmark, the Holy Roman Empire, Sweden and Imperial Russia, on the other hand Livonia was part of the Holy Roman Empire, Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, Sweden and Imperial Russia). Culturally, genetically and linguistically we Ests are Finnic and Balts are Baltic. Genetically Northern and Western Ests are mixed with Finns and Scandinavians and Southern Ests are mixed with Balts and a little with Slavs. You may see more cultural similarities with Southern Ests and Latvians. I'll admit that there are some cultural similarities in Latvia and Estonia but they mostly originate directly or indirectly from Lutheranism (ex. Christmas, Midsummer, Easter holiday traditions) which means that this part of the culture is also quite similar throughout the Northern Europe and even Germany and the Netherlands since we all belong to the Lutheran culture sphere. As an Northern Estonian I definitely feel more at home in Finland than in Latvia culturally and linguistically. Don't get me wrong, Latvia and Lithuania are beautiful countries but I see only few similarities between our traditional cultures and languages.

[@konradkurland5090]

@@carleryk : ""...genetically, most ethnic Estonians are most similar to Finnish Swedes...." No, no, no! No it's not! Estonians, Latvians and Lithuanians form a single genetic cluster. The distribution of the Y chromosome is about 40% haplogroup R1a and 40% haplogroup N1c. Followed by I1, which is slightly more for Estonians than for Latvians and Lithuanians. I1 marks Scandinavians and Germanic in general, although it is an indigenous Scandinavian haplogroup. It is common among Estonians and Finns and Sámi also. But it is also found in Latvians and Lithuanians. This is followed by R1b, which is typical of Western Europeans in general. It is a bit more for Latvians, but it is also for Estonians and Lithuanians. Other haplogroups are completely insignificant. The main composition (approximately 80%) is R1a + N1c1. Genetically, the closest to Estonians are Latvians and Lithuanians.

[@butterflies655]

​@@carlerykFinland is culturally, politically and economically a Nordic country.

[@MortalRepublic]

Great video! Flags are so awesome, and Estonia has one of the best flags 🇪🇪. That is why I am trying to make more videos about flags on my channel, because they are so awesome!

[@Kiisulaura2810]

Yeeee, rock it!

[@garaldtheexplorer8416]

I couldn't not notice that Latvian anthem playing in the background at 1:27

[@PersonManManManMan]

It actually sounds pretty great

[@SavolaxMitsu]

And for some reason March of the Pori Regiment is playing in the background at 4.05

[@blackhole3407]

13:53 "quick" to regain independence. Just took like 90 years, soviet terror, 2 huuuuge deportations and WW2

[@eastprussiaproductions]

40-50 years

[@sharenumbers1143]

1/3 of most clever and educated Baltic people were killed by the Nazis and Soviets...

[@staszekr03]

@@sharenumbers1143 And in other countries like Poland. The Germans killed professors and other people like teachers or doctors. Luckily we wheren't part of the ussr and so we got off lightly there. Was russian forced on the people during the time of the ussr?

[@arianas0714]

@@staszekr03 No, I'm pretty sure russian wasn't forced in USSR, it was only forced in 1864-1905 by the Russian empire.

[@PersonManManManMan]

@@staszekr03 Yes, Russian was mandatory, was being taught in schools, official documents for most part was in Russian. Latvian was also taught in schools, and it was used in society, but Russian was mandatory

[@antanassmetona4054]

It's called "the Northern crusades, not the "Eastern Crusades".

[@YotoBoto]

Pijus Balčaitis xD

[@VytasNeviera]

@@YotoBoto en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Crusades

[@jogsa2162]

Beleka senelyzai

[@zvirbuliss6024]

Bralukas ! Im from Latvia.

[@EctoGamer]

he didin't say "eastern crusades" he said "crusades of easter countries", yes it was called the northern crusade and it was a crusade of eastern countries...

[@daviguimaraes1127]

Very cool, from Latvia!

[@greygust3936]

Same

[@tomzsx]

Yup

[@ligse3663]

Yup

[@zibziklife5692]

Sveiki no latvijas😀

[@LukasStatkus]

As a Lithuanian I can say this video is really informative and it brought back a lot of facts that I've been forgotten and some of them didn't knew at all! Thumbs up for an author!

[@lifecycles9861]

When no one gives a damn about the baltics but the entire Europe would be very different when the 3 states did not exist.

[@andrejslegzdins9585]

Btw if Baltic states didnt exist almost all European countries would be in communism cause we holded them back cause russians needed water lines and we provided them that and we Latvians, Lithuanians, Estonians were fighting with them all the time.

[@07108711800]

A slight mistake in regards to the coat of arms for Latvia. The three stars represent the three historic regions of Latvia (so far correct) - Courland (usually combined with Semigalia and Selia in one region due to the history of the Duchy of Courland), Vidzeme and Latgale (the names are used here somewhat correct in sense they describe the territories history, but not the origin of the territories which is even mentioned in the Latvian Constitution (Satversme). More Fun Facts about Latvia flags that are rarely mentioned: * Latvia is the only horizontal tri-color flag where the stripe proportions are 2:1:2 (usually the proportions are 1:1:1) * The carmine-red color used in Latvia flag is unique among flags

[@Itsmyface]

The way he said Courland was funny.

[@Aoderic]

Probably because he didn't recognise it as French spelling, he said i as "our" (belonging to us) If it was modern English spelling it might be "Coor-land"

[@baltulielkungsgunarsmiezis9714]

Kurzeme = kuršu zeme.

[@vrenak]

@@roselalondessunglasses9852 He didn't.

[@4ultra]

The same with Cēsis. At first i didn't recognise the city.

[@valts11233]

Kurš te ir no Latvijas? ⬇️

[@unknown-hg6dr]

es

[@fortuneofdeath3844]

Your mum

[@unknown-hg6dr]

@@fortuneofdeath3844 oH hEy, LoOk At Me GuYs Im 10 YeArS oLd, aNd mY bEsT iNsUlT iS " your mom", I'm So cOoL

[@british_teaa3296]

@@fortuneofdeath3844 lol u are like a little kid all u know is "your mom" stupid kid

[@fortuneofdeath3844]

But am i lying tho ?

[@kbx2.]

I love estonia's flag

[@General.Knowledge]

Me too!

[@fvo911]

it looks a bit depressing

[@ron3557]

@@fvo911 wut did u say about ma flag D:

[@Anti_Septikum]

@@fvo911 Nope liar.

[@akastenas]

Yeah me too it's very straightforward. Usually stands out from all the rest easy to spot.

[@mortensaask4140]

finaly my country (estonia) gets mentioned in one of your videos!

[@mortensaask4140]

Thanks @General Knowledge for the heart

[@rokasjacevicius2724]

It is quite surprising to see estonian replying so quickly, given that you guys are soooooo slllloooooowwww.... (jk, it is just a running joke for decades from Lithuania about Estonains :) )

[@pupsikkhan]

@@rokasjacevicius2724 -_- That's only if we speak Russian.

[@raitisdinka9769]

We are last pagans of Europe and Christianity has never really conquered us :)

[@alexandermagnus82]

As an American with Lithuanian heritage, when I was a child I thought the Lithuanian tricolor was silly because it reminded me of Jamaican rastafarians. I then discovered my great grandfather took great care to smuggle his tricolor flag into America and back into Lithuania when it was banned by the Russians. The fact that it was so suppressed by the communists gave me new love for it.

[@marley.redsmith]

As a Lithuanian person i even recognise the BG song Its Lithuanian anthem ,,Tautiška giesmė"

[@rv1251]

Aistė Raulynaitytė anthem not hymn

[@marley.redsmith]

@@rv1251 ty

[@xxDrain]

2:30 I've been Latvian my whole life and have never seen this variant of the flag.

[@-Night-Is-Dark]

I have been in Latvia and Estonia, loved both countries :) wishes for all of you!

[@zamanium7517]

Guess you've been in Lithuania too

[@-Night-Is-Dark]

@@zamanium7517 thats my place of Living :)

[@sabinelinden1685]

I’m estonian and I was taught at school that the estonian flag comes from our university in Tartu. The blue is supposed to represent the sky, black is the ground and white is the clearness of our people’s minds. They were apparently also considering green instead of blue so that would represent the forest but they still went for the blue. Tell me if I’m wrong though

[@asjaosaline5987]

No you are not wrong but its not totaly clear what university students had in mind if they created a flag. This flag started as University club flag and it become symbol of independence and they it is used as country flag. And there is different opinions about white meaning, some say clearity of mind, some say purity of soul and there is even other opinion about this.

[@tyoxp]

Like from latvia

[@Karltartu]

I wated to say a big thank you for your dedication (with the time you of course had), but I have some notes about: Estonian flag: the flag is older than the republic (being made in 1884 for a university student group in Tartu (Eesti Üliõpilaste Selts aka EÜS). It also forms a bacground of Estonian winter: blue sky with the black forest and white snow. Coat of arms: Estonia has two coat of arms: small one (displayed in the video) and large one with oak branches. History: Estonia helped Latvia to gain independence during their wars of independence (although today there is a small beef about estonians being "occupants"?) Anyway, those small mistakes aside, I am happy to see someone explaining about the Baltics and I will wait for an episode about Estonia!

[@zackgeorgly5099]

Most countries have "two" coat of arms like you describe, but the second one is just the first one with more flair, like motto, supporters and mantling. The shield part remains the same.

[@elmatt03]

Lietuva 🇱🇹🗡

[@Austeja608]

Labas

[@kirilasmaslabojevas7889]

Laba diena

[@kristisnoobpw5767]

Labas

[@ziepturis6942]

LATVIJA

[@elmatt03]

@@ziepturis6942 no history, no strong army mate

[@whyguy12]

I met an Estonian man once. He was a college student and he had a project selling study books in the USA and he was extremely nice.

[@EdinMike]

Fun fact “Baltic” is a Scottish colloquialism for cold/freezing.

[@rokasjacevicius2724]

really? How do you use it?

[@archstanton6102]

@@rokasjacevicius2724 It's Baltic outside

[@Iamtheliquor]

Not just Scottish, we say it in Liverpool too

[@UtamagUta]

Really? That's funny cause i was feeling much more cold while visiting UK. Maybe couple hundred years ago winter indeed were colder (*cursing at the sky about the global warming incoherently*)

[@EdinMike]

Rokas Jacevicius “Feck, can’t be arsed getting the bins out there is Baltic ...!”

[@agris8859]

the three stars of the Latvian coat of arms represent the three historical states of: Vidzeme/Latgale/Kurzeme(+Zemgale, but they were mostly thought of as 1)

[@doorstopper674]

Now sēlija is a historical state too

[@dedbit6723]

As a Lithuanian, I'm so glad they brought back Vytis as a state flag because it honestly deserves it of how cool it is. I use both the tri-colour and the Vytis on my BDU when going Airsofting :D

[@dominicanderson1494]

Love our Latvian, Estonian brothers and sisters. 🇱🇹❤️🇪🇪🇱🇻

[@VytasNeviera]

Fun fact: After World War I, the new sovereign states that emerged on the east coast of the Baltic Sea - Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Finland - became known as the Baltic states. Only later developments (Soviet occupation of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) meant that Finland became dissociated from the term and became being referred to as Nordic. Source? Endre Bojtar "Foreword to the Past: A Cultural History of the Baltic People" (1999).

[@eewag1]

I haven’t watched your videos for ages

[@General.Knowledge]

Welcome back!

[@kazkoks]

Greetings from Lithuania, very cool video, great job. Just for record, Lithuania's flag colours was chosen to represent sybolic meaning from battles. Yellow stands for "sun" , green stands for "grass/nature" and red stands for "ancestors blood". And thats why they are in this order, sun (high in sky) grass(in the middle) blood (in the ground). Cheers

[@historygamer1990]

Good vid

[@elizabethmerin7489]

Good video 👍

[@mohanadalelwan8801]

Your correct

[@jannojuurik3226]

this video was very educational for me, i didnt know some of these things about Estonia untill now, thank you for making such great content

[@texdillinger6173]

Capital of Estonia Tallinn actually derives from words Taani Linn which means Danish Town/Castle

[@fidenemini111]

Yepppp.

[@beyond_the_pale]

Love this

[@artursbondars7789]

Latvian state coat of arms is misrepresented in this video, thus the explanation in not full. Also before officially adopting Latvian state flag, in freedom fights, there was flags with different variations of red in it and with different proportions of white and red lines, also there was flags with golden sun on it. Symbol of sun was even used on latvian riflemen uniforms, later adopted as part of coat of arms of Latvian armed forces.

[@VladisRed]

Finally nice to see video about my region. I'm from Estonia. Good job!))

[@General.Knowledge]

Thanks!

[@PearCoin124]

living in estonia sucks cause you can't eat tacobell and you gotta speak estonian which is ∞x harder than mandarin chinese, estonia's flag is also boring af, i'm from the country which language satan speaks

[@ShawzyFR]

Welcome to: Fun With Flags, With Sheldon Cooper.

[@sahiblindberg]

Love the fact that "Porilaisten marssi" plays in the background. Every time a Finn wins gold in the Olympics, this song is played in Finnish television. Nice video as always!

[@jonobidonofanas3677]

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand belarus just stole our coat of arms fucking great.

[@lasinux666]

Finally! Someone knows how to pronounce "🇱🇹 Lithuania 🇱🇹 "

[@niku4154]

I love the fact that you can google the old german Names of the cities that were founded in the Baltic, and get the modern equivalent. Dünaburg, Reval, Dorpat, Weißenstein, Arensburg, Sonneburg, Windau, Pilten, Pernau, Marienburg, Pleskau, Memel and so many more are not forgotten names.

[@sharenumbers1143]

Yes, and even older Baltic names are there too.

[@robertbaron8721]

Interestingly, Berlin and many old cities of East Germany have Slavic etymology.

[@MasterKayAce]

please do Latvia with its all principalitys. it is a gold mine worth looking at.

[@reinisrudzitis8254]

Do you mean does 109 minisupalities? Dude... That would be sick! And posting it right before Mr. Pūce wipes them of the map!

[@turbone6028]

10:35 they actually represent Courland (kurzeme and semigallia), Vidzeme (basically livonia) and Latgale

[@jeanbonnefoy1377]

You might have added that the dark red of Latvia (more maroon than red) comes from its legendary origin of a cloth tainted with clotted blood. Same as the flag of Qatar (different of the normal red of other Emirates), which allegedly represents the blood of felled warriors having been dessicated under the blazing desert sun.

[@gurkis.]

He did mention it

[@NibanoTransmontano]

I like your video my compatriota

[@Dravito94]

We are brothers always and forever, the baltic brothers. 🇪🇪🇱🇻🇱🇹

[@UtamagUta]

Nice touch to play national anthems in the background. Especially when ours, Lithuanian, is little overbearing and too cheery :D

[@b4t_xoxo]

Im glad that this channel did something with those countries, beacuse im Lithuanian. :)) So its really cool to see that someone from another country mentioned your own country.

[@Ok-jh5el]

90% of Lithuanians seeing Lithuania flag be like: *PRESS*

[@Suursaadik]

Nice video! ;-)

[@ignastamulis8702]

Mindaugas, Vytautas, Kęstutis, Algirdas, ... Legendary persons of our history!!!! 🇱🇹❤

[@juliusbarzdziukas7777]

There are several historical mistakes: 1. Russian banners and French revolution aren't the beginning or an influence of tricolor. This concept has long history and predates these events by many hundreds of years. 2. In 1410 battle Livonia had it's own flag, tricolor (yellow white, red). There were also 3 other tricolor flags from other regions. 3. Lithuanian flag colors don't have much to do with dresses. While dresses do have to do something with national colors. The same thing applies for ancient Lithuanian seal cords, which usually had these 3 colors. Yellow green red flags (to my knowledge, earliest surviving evidence of such flags) are painted in 1605 and used by Lithuanian military during parade for Sigismund III Vasa. One tricolor flag yellow green red is from 1863 resistance movement. In 1918 it became official flag in tricolor configuration and using traditional colors that do have long history in flags used by Lithuania.

[@WindRider1314]

Laba diena! :D! :D From Lithuania! :D We're 3 Brothers! :D And I love Latvia Estonia And Lithuania I been at Latvia Estonia And Lithuania of course and Theese 3 countries are beutifulliest ever i seen in my life! :D

[@markussavolainen7264]

As Estonian, I like these flag drawings and a little history lesson. We take Latvia and Lithuanian as our older brothers, who do we talk a lot and visit our brothers.

[@bordigotto6603]

I like how Latvia basically unites the group because they have a similar culture to that of Lithuania and are bound by the past with Estonia

[@bordigotto6603]

Also because of the flag, they have red (Lithuania) and white (Estonia)

[@LiterallyMe459]

I am Lithuanian and i love Latvia and Estonia. We are a big family which always help each other. Forever

[@akastenas]

As a Lithuanian I feel but love towards our our Baltic counterparts Latvians and Estonians. Lithuanians and Latvians share a bit more cultural similarity due to languages falling into the same category of "Baltic languages". However we all like our weird Estonian cousins also :D kidding. All in all I hope friendship and prosperity will continue do describe all 3 Baltic nations. Thank you for a nice introduction!

[@PowerchordFPS]

One of my favorite things about Estonia's flag is that when you look at the Black Forest in Estonia, the blue sky, black trees, and snow covered ground look like the flag. It's sick.

[@MegaZeeeh]

Estonia's flag is my favourite, love those colours in that specific arrangement

[@fidenemini111]

Stoneys should be happy.

[@JustOneGirl81]

Thank You Jose

[@Gurk4ever]

I think that maybe it should have been mentioned that the Livonian Order took its name from the Livonian tribe, who were Finnics living around the Gulf of Riga in Latvia. It is because of Livonian tribe influence that Latvian language has elements similar to those found in Estonian. The Crusaders of the Order were Teutonic origin, they just took the name of Locals, just like how Teutonic order started calling themselves Prussians.

[@hendriktonisson2915]

Yes You are correct.

[@datageeks9427]

Greetings to Latvia and Estonia from Lituhuania 🥰🥰🥰

[@rendgo3047]

dude learning about Latvia is much more interesting in youtube bcuz u actually get to the point unlike teachers