The Genesis of Legal Protection of Polish National and State Symbols

There is no protection in national and state symbols in Poland, there is no long tradition, because the first statutory regulations on this issue come from the first half of the 18th century, and comprehensive statutory protection has been in effect since 1919. The practice of using the eagle symbol as a sign of the Polish state and its authorities is much longer, because in the case of the emblem it dates back to 1005, and in the case of the coat of arms to 1295. The specificity of the status of state symbols in the monarchy and the lack of legal protection of the signs of rulers and states until the 19th century, it is impossible to carry out a legal analysis and examine the scope of protection. A change in this respect took place in the 19th century, i.e. at the beginning of constitutionalism and detailed statutory regulations, including codes. In the case of Poland, issuing such regulations was impossible or possible only for short periods of time, due to the fact that Polish lands remained under partition from the late 18th century to the beginning of the 20th century. Legal acts issued in the period 1807–1832 are of particular interest. However, the tendencies to isolate and protect state symbols in the regulations of the then European countries could only be implemented in Poland after 1918.