The flag was adopted on 2nd of July in 1992 by the "Law of the Altai Republic". In addition, a "Decree on the Flag" was passed on 3rd of March in 1993, providing a detailed description: "The national flag of the Altai Republic is a rectangular panel with four horizontal stripes: the top one is white, the bottom one blue, and the narrow stripes white and blue. The width of the stripes is 1/4, 1/25 and 1/25 of the flag’s width. The ratio of the flag’s width to its length is 1:2." Regarding the symbolism, it is stated that the two colours of the flag of the Altai Republic are intended to correspond to the colours of the national flag of the Russian Federation, thereby emphasising that the Altai Republic is part of the Russian Federation. The blue stripes are intended to symbolise purity, the sky, the mountains, rivers and lakes of Altai. The white stripes are intended to embody eternity, the desire for renewal, love and harmony among the peoples of the Altai Republic. On 29th of June in 1994, following the change in the aspect ratio of the Russian flag from 1:2 to 2:3, the aspect ratio of the flag of the Altai Republic was also adjusted to 2:3. On 24th of April in 2003, the Constitutional Law of the Altai Republic "On the Flag of the Altai Republic" was adopted by a resolution of the State Assembly. This changed the aspect ratio back to 1:2. On 11 March 2016, Law No. 1-KRZ was adopted, which changed the aspect ratio back to 2:3. According to legal requirements, the blue, as in the Russian flag, should be reproduced in Pantone 286. In practice, however, a slightly lighter blue or even light blue is used. The blue colour in the flag also alludes to the Altai people, who were formerly known as the Mountain Kalmyks. The Altai people, who call themselves Oirats, belong to the Turkic peoples. Many Mongolian and Turkic peoples share common roots, and blue is considered the colour of their race.
1922 · establishing of the Autonomous District of the Oyrots
1948 · rename to Autonomous District of Gorno Altay
25th of October 1990 · foundation of the Gorno Altayian ASSR
3rd of July 1991 · rename to Gorno Altayian SSR
31st of December in 1991 · the Soviet Union dissolves, the constitution of the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic (RSFSR, Russia), a former substate of the Soviet Union, remains in force for the time being
May 1992 · rename to Republic Gorno Altay
12.12.1993 · rename to Republic Altay
25th of December in 1993 · a new constitution for Russia (Russian Federation) comes into force, and the relationships with the members of the federation is re-regulated in this way
The word "Altay" is of Kyrgyz origin. "Alty Ai" means in Kyrgyz "six months". Thus the Kirghiz transferred the journey time from their pasture grounds up to the Altai to a whole mountain region.
