Mother Russia is a symbol of love and loyalty to your country

J. Armstrong noted that the action of symbols is akin to the actions of border guards. They divide everyone into "their own" and "strangers." The concept of "Russia-Mother" is a symbol. Recognizable and revered symbol of Russianness in Russia and beyond, embodied in literature and art, mass culture and political rhetoric, as well as military propaganda. As a symbol, he must become unifying.

Symbol in military propaganda

The female image of Russia has long been used as propaganda. He must radiate peace and demonstrate it. As the national symbol of Mother Russia, it is a call for the rallying of Russians, "sons of relatives and daughters," as the famous song says. As a mobilizing force, the image is especially in demand in the years of wars, when everything is subordinated to one task - to protect the Motherland, suffering from invaders. When warriors are ready to give lives, when the refusal to fulfill a duty is filial ingratitude.

Symbol in politics

Perception of the country as a mother is an important element of political culture. For the government it is important to represent the ruler (the Head, the President) of the country, protecting it from any enemies threatening it, both external and internal. The so-called sacred marriage of "Russia-Mother" with the ruler. For the opposition, in turn, the image of the suffering Motherland, suffering from unjust, even nationally alien, power is attractive. For example, Narodism in the late 19th century.

"Mother Russia": how did the image

The idea of having such a symbol developed in stages. First there was "Mother - a damp earth" - the Russian version of the Mother Goddess. This image appears to be a living being, most often in the guise of a mother. With the advent of Holy Russia in the 16th century, she became the Svyatorusskaya mother earth.

In the era of the reign of Peter I there are first attempts to visualize Russia in the guise of a woman. On the personal seal of the king was the image of Peter sculpting the statue of Russia - a woman who holds a power and a scepter, a crown on her head, and a robe on her shoulders. By the way, such a plot was invented by the king himself (the country is created by the ruler, he gives it shape and soul), having in mind, probably, the myth of Pygmalion and Galatee.

On the question of why Russia is called "Mother", K. Ushinsky replied . According to him, we call Russia a mother, because it was she who fed us, gave us food and taught us her language.

At the same time, the ideologists of Bolshevism used the image of "Mother Russia" as a symbol of tsarist Russia and oppression. The White Guards of the Civil War, in turn, perceived the Bolsheviks as oppressors of Russia-Mother.

"And the army with the red star
Having adopted the fatal stamp,
To the cross he nails with blasphemy
Poor Motherland! ".

Life to give for it ready

And only by the mid-1930s the Soviet Motherland now acts as the mother of all the peoples of the Soviet Union and became the most visible with the beginning of the Great Patriotic War. The beginning of the revival of the significant role of the female image of Russia was put by a poster familiar to every Soviet person - "Motherland Calls!" I. Toidze. And the woman from the poster is not a symbol of suffering, but a call to the Soviet soldier, to his duty. At the same time, posters appear where Motherland-Mother blesses her son to battle with the enemy.

Glorious fighters went to fight for it, they died for Mother Russia, not meaning any notion and not even the state, but everything that was close and dear to them, for their mothers and for all mothers who were waiting for their sons from the war . In this concept, every fighter put his love for his land and his desire to defend the Fatherland.

Motherland, symbolizing the strength of the people, its invincibility, is carved in stone in the monuments of Volgograd, Kiev, Kaliningrad, Tbilisi and other cities. The image of Motherland, which mourns for its children, who lay down their heads for her freedom, which her sons are ready to protect at all times, was actively used during the Cold War, emphasizing Russia's role in the struggle for peace.

All post-war Soviet culture, referring to the image of Russia-Mother, paints her with a vulnerable, suffering, scorched war, in need of protection.

The period of the collapse of the Soviet Union is characterized by a rethinking, even destruction of all Soviet. A humiliated Russia-Mother of the 90s is an excellent occasion for criticism of the current regime by the opposition.

Mother Russia is my homeland

Today this symbol is "rehabilitated". Russia again appears in the guise of the most beautiful of women, and again the image of "Mother Russia" - is actively used propaganda. He became popular in the country's culture, including poetry and prose, music and painting, cinematography and pop.

And already in the songs of today's days it sounds:

"This is Mother Russia.
This is the Russian land. "

"Russia is my mother, my country,
You are in the life of the main and heart dear! ".

"May Mother Russia sleep and sleep soundly!"
For Russia, my mother, oh, my soul hurts. "

And already new generations glorify Mother Russia and serve it faithfully.

But the main thing is love

We examined the main reasons why Russia is called mother. This is a policy, a symbol, and a poetic comparison. But the main thing is love. Love for your country, language, white birch, fragrant evenings, dazzling snowfields. Our people animate all things that appreciate. And we treat our Motherland with respect and loyalty.