Ribbon of Saint George The Ribbon of St George or St . George ' s Ribbon ( " georgievskaya lentochka " ) constitutes one of the most recognised and respected symbols of military valour in modern Russia . It is widely associated with the commemoration of World War II and especially with the units who were awarded the collective Guard battle honours during the conflict . The ribbon consists of a black and orange bicolour pattern , with three black and two orange stripes . Its origins lay back in the times of the Russian Empire . The Georgian ribbon emerged as part of the Order of St George , established in 1769 as the highest military decoration of Imperial Russia ( and re - established in 1998 by the Russian Federation ) . While the Order of St George was normally not a collective award , the ribbon was sometimes granted to regiments and units that performed brilliantly during wartime and constituted an integral part of some collective battle honours ( such as banners and pennant s ) . When not awarded the full Order , some distinguished officers were granted ceremonial swords , adorned with the Georgian ribbon . In 1806 , distinctive Georgian banners were introduced as a further battle honour awarded to meritorious Guards and Leib Guard regiments . The pike on which these flags were mounted was topped by the St George Cross and adorned with 4 , 44 cm wide Georgian ribbons . It remained the highest collective military award in the Russian military until the Revolution in 1917 . The title of the Soviet Guards was first introduced on 18 September 1941 in accordance with the decision of the Headquarters of the Supreme Commander - in - Chief ( , or Stavka Verkhovnogo Glavnokomanduyuschego ) and by the order No . 308 of the People ' s Commissar of Defense for the distinguished services during the Yelnya Offensive . The 100th , 127th , 153rd and 161st Rifle Divisions were renamed into the 1st , 2nd , 3rd and 4th Guards Divisions , respectively . The units and formations nominated for the Soviet Guard title received special Guards banner in accordance with the decision of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR . On 21 May 1942 , the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR introduced Guards rank s and Guards badge s to be worn of the right side of the chest . Both included the Georgian ribbon pattern . In June 1943 , they introduced the Guards Red Banners for the land forces and in February 1944 - for the naval forces . Georgian ribbons adorned the banners exactly as in the 19th century . Established on November 8 , 1943 , the Order of Glory ( " Orden Slavy " ) was an order of the Soviet Union . It was awarded to non - commissioned officers and the rank - and - file of the armed forces , as well as to junior lieutenants of the air force , for bravery in the face of the enemy . The " ribbon " of the Order was orange with three black stripes - the same as that of the Cross of St . George . One of the most honourable medals in the Soviet Union , the " Medal " For the Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War 1941 – 1945 " " ( ) also features St . George stripes . It was awarded to all the soldiers and officers who participated in the Eastern Front campaigns , and was the first award to be universally granted to all the veterans , for the most part , right after the end of the war . The ribbon is prominent on the Russian Federation pattern ( current ) Guards Badge and also on the badge worn on berets by members of Guards units . Georgievskaya Lenta Action . Since the 60th anniversary of the Victory Day in 2005 , the ribbon is freely worn by civilians in Russia and other former republics of the USSR as an act of commemoration and remembrance . For the naming of the ribbons the diminutive form is used : " георгиевская ленточка " ( George small ribbon ) . It has since been distributed in Moscow , all over Russia , and around the world in the preparation for the event and is widely seen on wrists , lapels , and cars . The motto that goes with it is " We remember , we are proud ! "