Poland: Polish history -1-

Polish Legend of Lech, Czech, Rus

Long time ago three brothers Lech, Czech and Rus walked with their tribes across the area between the rivers Vistula and Dniepr. But one day they ran into a glade discovering the nest of a white eagle. But Rus and Czech didn't want to stay there and continued their journey - Rus to the east and Czech to the south. Only Lech decided to settle down at this place next to the white Eagle-nest. In this way the first Polish capital Gniezno was established, derived from the Polish word for nest - gniazdo. And since that legendary times the white eagle has been the Polish national emblem (coat of arms).

Poland's Coat of Arms - White Eagle Emblem

The official national emblem of Poland is a white eagle with golden beak and talons. The eagle turns its head to the right and is set against a red shield. This coat of arms as emblem of the state dynasty dates from the 13th century and became the official state emblem at the beginning of 14th century. By the way, in communist time the eagle had to be presented without crown.

Dabrowski's Mazurka - Polish National Anthem

Poland is not yet lost,
As long as we live,
What foreign force has taken from us,
We'll retrieve with the sword.

March, March, Dabrowski,
From Italian soil to Poland,
Under your command
We'll reunite with the nation.

Dabrowski's Mazurka is the Polish national anthem (since 1927), written by the Pole Wybicki in the year 1797. Originally it was called "the Anthem of the Polish Legions in Italy". Very know is the first verse: "Jeszcze Polska nie zginela" what means "Poland is not yet lost" or "Poland has not yet perished".

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