Since then the Circassian nation has been celebrating this day at an unofficial level, even in the Republic of Adigea, despite the fact that the historical Circassian flag is the official republican banner. However, this year the red-letter day will be observed by republican officialdom in Adigea, as the Parliament of Adigea adopted new legislation on 22 July 2013 officially establishing 25 April as "Circassian Flag Day". It is still celebrated unofficially in the other Circassian republics. The Circassian Flag is one of the potent rallying symbols of Circassian nationhood and renaissance.

The Circassian Flag

The Circassian national banner is based on David Urquhart's "Senzhaq Sharif" ["Holy Banner"; «Сэнжакъ Шэриф»], the 19th century ensign of the Circassian Federation. In the mid-1830s, with the looming shadow of Russia and her gradual encroachment into their country convinced many Circassians of the importance of tribal solidarity. Counsels of British "Envoys" in Circassia, especially that of David Urquhart, were instrumental in fostering unity. The Northwest Caucasians (Circassians, Abkhaz-Abaza, and Ubykhs) established a federation that included twelve tribes, nine of which were feudalistic and three egalitarian ones. It was during this period that Urquhart came up with his famous design of the Circassian Flag. Upon establishment of the federation, concerted campaigns were mounted in which some notable successes were scored and many Russian fortresses were reduced to dust. This period of co-operation and optimism culminated in the declaration of independence of Circassia, which event has become a landmark in Adiga history. Ismail Zeus, representative of the “Great Free Circassian Assembly”, was dispatched to Turkey, Paris and London to solicit support for the Circassian cause. General mobilization was declared throughout Circassia. The Circassian declaration of independence was published in 1836 in the British journal Portfolio. This was of particular significance as the Journal was closely associated with the British Foreign Office, and Circassia was shown as an independent country on the appended map, edited by none other than Lord Palmerston, the British Foreign Secretary. 
The twelve golden stars of the Circassian Flag stand for the nine “aristocratic” tribes (on top of Flag), and the three “democratic” tribes (below), while the three arrows represent unity and peace. According to Circassian tradition, three arrows in a quiver meant that a warrior was off to the hunt. More bolts signified a more belligerent intention. The green background represents the greenery of the countryside and the mountains, and hence a symbol for life and freedom. This Flag has been adopted by the Republic of Adigea as the national banner upon its upgrading to a republic within the Russian Federation in 1992 as a symbol of renascent nationhood.

David Urquhart, a Scotsman born in 1805, was the first Briton to espouse the cause of the Circassians. He landed in Anapa on the Circassian Black Sea coast in July and August 1834 and promised the Northwest Caucasians British assistance in return for a show of unity in face of the Russians. He managed to convince the Circassians of the need of concerted action in the protracted war. In 1836 he was appointed secretary to the British ambassador in Turkey, and soon he set up contacts with the Circassian émigré community in Constantinople. Urquhart visited the Northwest Caucasus several times. However, he suffered a terminal reverse of fortunes when a small British vessel, HMS Vixen (which proved not to be particularly wily!), was captured late in 1836 by the Russians. The incident caused Urquhart to be expelled from the embassy. He returned to London in 1837 and thenceforth took no active part in the conflict, although he kept up his support for the Circassians till the end.