Ilustracja przedstawiająca sztandar z godłem z okresu powstania kościuszkowskiego. W centrum godła snop zboża i skrzyżowane włócznie. Read the most important information: 1. Flag On 16 August 1794, during the Prussian siege of Warsaw, the governor Tadeusz Kościuszko gave a crimson silk standard to Stanisław Dąbroś, the scythemen’s colour-bearer .It was 146 cm long and 129 cm wide. It was made by Countess Joanna Zybegowa née Kopf, who adjusted it to allow it to be hung crosswise on a wooden flagpole like a gonfalon., 2. Scythemen Scythemen were infantry, insurgents or partisans armed with scythes that were vertically mounted on poles. The term “scythemen” became popular after the Kosciuszko Uprising, during which some troops were fully or partially armed with scythes due to a lack of better weapons. This situation was repeated later during the uprisings of the 19th century. As Maria Rodziewiczówna wrote in 1920, in independent Poland:„Sometimes it happens that [scythes] are mounted on poles, and then haymakers are no longer haymakers, but scythemen who scythe hostile heads. Then, the tool is respected and ennobled (Lato leśnych ludzi)., 3. History The flag accompanied Dąbroś’s unit during the Battle of Maciejowice (among other battles), where it was saved from the pogrom by several surviving solders.Following the defeat of the uprising, it was deposited in a church in Końskie with 10 other insurgent insignia, and later transported to Austria. In 1936 it was reclaimed from the Heeresmuseum in Vienna.At present, it forms a part of the collection at the Polish Army Museum in Warsaw., 4. Symbols The middle of the front side of the standard contains a sheaf embroidered with coloured silk. The sheaf’s ears are apart, and above them one can see the peasants’ hat called “magierka” with a fir twig stuck into it. behind the sheaf there is a crossed pike and scythe, which were weapons characteristic of the Cracovian scythemen regiment. The sheaf and magierka are surrounded by a large oval laurel wreath., 5. Żywią y bronią At the top of the standard are the words ”ŻYWIĄ Y BRONIĄ” (They feed and defend us) embroidered with a white silk thread as a tribute to peasant soldiers. The motto emphasised the social role of people who provided food for society during peacetime and defended it from the enemy during war. Later on, the motto took many forms. In the 19th century it was used on insurgent standards, patriotic postcards, peasant kilims and wall hangings. These words were referred to by peasant parties from as early as the beginning of the 20th century. It was used by the peasant movement as a symbol of connection with the patriotic and independent tradition, and as a sign of belief in the special role of peasants in society.During the Second World War, these words were used as a title of a newsletter of the Peasants’ Regiments, which formed a part of the armed forces of the Polish Underground State.The same motto was used by communist propaganda in the Polish People’s Republic (with the communists being aware of its significance in the Polish tradition) and placed on the 500 zloty note.