Red star

A red star, five-pointed and filled, is a symbol that has often historically been associated with communist ideology, particularly when combined with the hammer and sickle. In more recent times, it is also used as a socialist symbol. You can see red stars on many flags, state emblems, monuments, ornaments, and logos.

In some countries that were once part of the Warsaw Pact, laws have been made to ban the red star because it is seen as a symbol of a certain kind of government. However, the red star has been used in ways that are not related to communism. It has appeared on flags and symbols since the 1800s, such as on the flags of New Zealand and the U.S. state of California. Companies like the oil brand Texaco and the beer Heineken have also used the red star in their logos.

Besides red, a golden or yellow star is also used in places like China and Vietnam. These stars carry similar meanings, representing ideas about fairness and shared resources for everyone.

History

The red star has been a symbol linked to communist ideas, especially since the time of the Bolshevik Revolution and the Russian Civil War. Its exact first use is still unknown. One story says it began with soldiers in Moscow who wore tin stars on their hats. When they joined the Red Army, they painted these stars red, representing socialism.

The red star appeared in communist media as early as 1908 in a novel called Red Star. Some believe it came from a discussion between leaders about symbols representing the continents. Whatever its origin, the red star became part of military uniforms and symbols in 1918.

Before the Soviet Union was formed, the U.S. Army used a red star for aircraft during an expedition in 1916.

Red Star (1908)

Use in the USSR and its constituent republics

The red star became very important in the Soviet Union, appearing on buildings, awards, and badges. Sometimes it was shown with a hammer and sickle inside it. In 1930, the Soviet Union created an award called the Order of the Red Star for brave service. The Soviet and Russian military newspaper was also named Red Star.

During the 1930s, people in the Soviet Union began decorating their New Year trees, called yolka, with red stars, a tradition that continues in Russia today.

Use in other socialist countries

After the Soviet Union adopted the red star, it became a worldwide symbol for communist ideas. Many countries and movements that supported these ideas used the red star on their flags and symbols. It was also used by resistance groups during World War II against Nazi occupation.

In Asia, some countries used a yellow star instead of a red one, but the meaning was similar. Examples include China and Vietnam, where yellow stars appear on red backgrounds.

U.S. Army Signal Corps Curtiss JN-3 biplanes with red star insignia, 1915

In Africa, several countries that gained independence used the red or gold star in their symbols, often linked to their struggles for freedom.

State military units

Today, some countries like Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan still use versions of the red star in their military symbols.

By states with limited recognition

Some regions that are not widely recognized as independent countries, like Transnistria and the Luhansk People’s Republic, also use the red star in their symbols because of their ties to the Soviet past.

By sports teams

Many sports teams from countries with communist histories have used the red star in their names and logos, such as Red Star Belgrade. Some teams from other countries also use red stars, often because of local meanings or symbols.

Use by socialist groups

The red star is a symbol often used by groups that support socialist and communist ideas. In 1970, a group in West Germany called the Red Army Faction used a red star with a gun in their logo. In 1994, a revolutionary group in Mexico known as the Zapatista Army of National Liberation also used the red star on their flag.

Many political parties and movements around the world use the red star in their symbols. For example, the Worker's Party in Brazil and the United Socialist Party of Venezuela both feature the red star in their logos. The red star is also used by various socialist parties in Europe, such as in France, Spain, and Portugal, as well as by separatist movements in Spain.

Uses without socialist symbolism

Some red stars on flags and emblems do not come from socialist ideas. Famous examples include the current flag of California, which copies an older design from 1836, and the flag of New Zealand, made in 1869 and officially used since 1902. The flag of the District of Columbia remembers George Washington's coat of arms. Also, Wonder Woman from DC Comics wears a red star headband with a gold or yellow background.

The crescent moon and star was used by the Ottoman Empire, and some places with Ottoman history use this symbol today, like the flag of Tunisia, flag of Algeria, flag of Northern Cyprus, flag of Western Sahara, and the emblem of Turkey.

Other flags and coats of arms with red stars include the flag of Panama, the flag of Syria used by opposition groups during the civil war, the flag of California, the California Lone Star Flag from 1836, the flag of Washington, D.C., the flag of Acre State in Brazil, the flag of Nagasaki city, the flag of Birmingham, Alabama, the arms of Għargħur in Malta, the Moríñigo coat of arms, the coat of arms of Valais, the flag of Valais, the Crain, Yonne coat of arms, and the Chauriat coat of arms.

The red star was also used to help sick and wounded war animals. In 1914, countries agreed on a treaty called the International Red Star Alliance to help these animals and keep helpers neutral. During World War I, helpers wore white bands with red stars to show they were neutral, just like medical workers used red crosses. After the war, the American Red Star helped animals during disasters. Today, it is part of the American Humane Association's Red Star Animal Emergency Services.

Red stars in labels and logos

Red stars have appeared on many product labels and company logos over the years. For example, they can be seen on bottles of Heineken, the logo of Jetstar, and bottles of Sanpellegrino. Companies from the past, like AKO from the Soviet Union, Macy's department stores, and Texaco oil company, also used red stars in their designs.

The red star was used by the Texaco oil company from 1909 to 1981, and its overseas division Caltex used it until 1996. A type of Baijiu called "Hongxing" (meaning "Red Star") was named in 1949 to honor the founding of the People's Republic of China. Many shipping companies, like Puget Sound Navigation Co. and Bombay Steam Navigation Co, also included red stars in their symbols.

Legal status

Some countries that were once part of, or occupied by, the Soviet Union see the red star and the hammer and sickle as reminders of difficult times. Because of this, places like Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, and Ukraine have made it illegal to use these symbols in public. In Poland, there was a similar law, but it was later removed because it did not agree with Poland’s rules about free speech.

The European Court of Human Rights has said that banning political symbols like these goes against important human rights, such as the right to express oneself freely. This decision is similar to the rules about Nazi symbols, which are still banned in some European countries like Germany and France.

Some leaders in Europe have suggested banning both Soviet and Nazi symbols across the whole European Union, but this idea has not been widely accepted. In 2003, a person in Hungary was arrested and fined just for wearing a red star, but later, a court said this was not fair and violated free speech.

In Slovenia, the red star used to represent brave people who fought against unfair rulers during World War II. In 2011, Slovenia made a special coin with a red star to honor a leader named Franc Rozman, which caused some disagreement among political groups.