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A national symbol is a symbol
Symbol

A symbol is something such as an entity, picture, written word, sound, or particular mark that represents something else by association, resemblance, or convention....
 of any entity considering itself and manifesting itself to the world as a national community – namely sovereign states
State

A state is a political Social contract with effective sovereignty over a geographic area and representing a population. These may be nation states, State or multinational states....
, but also nation
Nation

A nation is a cultural and social community. In as much as most members never meet each other, yet feel a common bond, it may be considered an imagined community....
s and countries
Country

Country may refer to the territory of a state, or to a smaller, or former, political division of a geographical region. In another meaning of the word, the country is also a term used to refer to rural areas....
 in a state of colonial or other dependence, (con)federal integration, or even an ethnocultural community considered a 'nationality' despite the absence of political autonomy.

National symbols intend to unite people by creating visual, verbal, or icon
Cultural icon

A cultural icon can be an , a symbol, a logo, picture, name, face, person, or building or other image that is readily recognized, and generally represents an object or concept with great cultural significance to a wide cultural group....
ic representations of the national people, values, goals, or history.

These symbols are often rallied around as part of celebrations of patriotism
Patriotism

Patriotism is commonly defined as love of and/or devotion to one's country. The word comes from the Latin language, patria, and Greek language patritha. However, patriotism has had different meanings over time, and its meaning is highly dependent upon context, geography and philosophy....
 or aspiring nationalism
Nationalism

Nationalism refers to an ideology, a feeling, a form of culture, or a social movement that focuses on the nation. While there is significant debate over the historical origins of nations, nearly all Expert accept that nationalism, at least as an ideology and social movement, is a Modernity phenomenon originating in Europe....
 (such as independence, autonomy or separation movements) and are designed to be inclusive and representative of all the peoples of the national community.








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A national symbol is a symbol
Symbol

A symbol is something such as an entity, picture, written word, sound, or particular mark that represents something else by association, resemblance, or convention....
 of any entity considering itself and manifesting itself to the world as a national community – namely sovereign states
State

A state is a political Social contract with effective sovereignty over a geographic area and representing a population. These may be nation states, State or multinational states....
, but also nation
Nation

A nation is a cultural and social community. In as much as most members never meet each other, yet feel a common bond, it may be considered an imagined community....
s and countries
Country

Country may refer to the territory of a state, or to a smaller, or former, political division of a geographical region. In another meaning of the word, the country is also a term used to refer to rural areas....
 in a state of colonial or other dependence, (con)federal integration, or even an ethnocultural community considered a 'nationality' despite the absence of political autonomy.

National symbols intend to unite people by creating visual, verbal, or icon
Cultural icon

A cultural icon can be an , a symbol, a logo, picture, name, face, person, or building or other image that is readily recognized, and generally represents an object or concept with great cultural significance to a wide cultural group....
ic representations of the national people, values, goals, or history.

These symbols are often rallied around as part of celebrations of patriotism
Patriotism

Patriotism is commonly defined as love of and/or devotion to one's country. The word comes from the Latin language, patria, and Greek language patritha. However, patriotism has had different meanings over time, and its meaning is highly dependent upon context, geography and philosophy....
 or aspiring nationalism
Nationalism

Nationalism refers to an ideology, a feeling, a form of culture, or a social movement that focuses on the nation. While there is significant debate over the historical origins of nations, nearly all Expert accept that nationalism, at least as an ideology and social movement, is a Modernity phenomenon originating in Europe....
 (such as independence, autonomy or separation movements) and are designed to be inclusive and representative of all the peoples of the national community.

Common official national symbols

  • The flag
    National flag

    File:dannebrog.jpgA national flag is a flag that symbolises a country. The flag is flown by the government, but usually can be flown by citizens of that country as well....
     of a nation-state
    Nation-state

    The nation-state is a certain form of state that derives its legitimacy from serving as a Sovereignty entity for a nation as a sovereign territorial unit....
  • The coat of arms, seal or stamp
    Seal (device)

    A seal can mean a wax seal bearing an impressed figure, or an embossed figure in paper, with the purpose of authenticating a document, but the term can also mean any device for making such impressions or embossments, essentially being a Molding that has the mirror image of the figure in counter-relief, such as mounted on rings known a...
     of the land
    Nation

    A nation is a cultural and social community. In as much as most members never meet each other, yet feel a common bond, it may be considered an imagined community....
     and/or ruling dynasty
    Dynasty

    A dynasty is a succession of rulers who belong to the same family for generations. A dynasty is also often called a "Royal House", e.g. the House of Saud or House of Habsburg....
  • The associated device and/or motto can also be use separately
  • The national colours
    National colours

    National colours are frequently part of a country's set of national symbols.Many states and nations have formally adopted a set of color as their official "national colours" while others have de facto national colours that have become well-known through popular use....
    , often derived from the above
  • Emblematic animals and plants/flowers
    Floral emblem

    In a number of countries, plants have been chosen as symbols to represent specific geographic areas. Some countries have a country-wide floral emblem; others in addition have symbols representing subdivisions....
    , whether related to the above or not
  • Either the above or more abstract symbols
    National emblem

    A national emblem national symbols represents a nation. Most national emblems originate in the natural world, such as animals or birds, but another object may serve....
    , especially crosses,
  • National anthem
    National anthem

    A national anthem is a generally patriotism musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognized either by a nation's government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people....
    s, royal and imperial hymns; alongside such official hymn(s) custom may also recognize the national symbol value of very popular songs, such as
  • The office of the Head of State
    Head of State

    Head of state is the generic term for the individual or collective office that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchic or republican nation-state, federation, commonwealth or any other political state....
    , and in case of a monarchy (often to some extent even after its political elimination) certain of its regalia
    Regalia

    Regalia is Latin plurale tantum for the privileges and the insignia characteristic of a Sovereignty.The word stems from the Latin substantivation of the adjective regalis, 'regal', itself from Rex, 'king'....
    , such as crown jewels
    Crown jewels

    Crown jewels are jewels or artifacts of the reigning royal family of their respective country. They belong to Monarchs and are passed to the next sovereign to symbolize the right to rule....
  • The Father of the Nation
    Father of the Nation

    Father ofhjkjijolkpx?gsoplqhdtrsjdewfathers]] may be used if more than one person is considered key....
     and other founding fathers
  • The Mother of the Nation and other founding mothers


Common unofficial national symbols

  • National myths about the country's history or founding
    Founding myth

    A national myth is an inspiring narrative or anecdote about a nation's past. Such myths often serve as an important national symbol and affirm a set of national values....
  • National epic
    National epic

    A national epic is an epic poetry or a literary work of epic scope which seeks or is believed to capture and express the essence or spirit of a particular nation; not necessarily a nation-state, but at least an ethnic or linguistic group with aspirations to independence or Wiktionary:autonomy....
    s
  • National sport
    National sport

    A national sport is a sport or game that is considered to be a intrinsic part of the culture of a nation. In American English the term national pastime is often used....
    s
  • National dish
    National dish

    A national dish is a recipe, food or a drink that represents a particular country, nation or region. It is usually something that is naturally made or popular in that country....
    es
  • National animal
  • National dress - this can have a more official character in the case of court dress or military uniforms
  • National Day
    National Day

    The National Day is a designated date on which celebrations mark the nationhood of a nation or non-sovereign country. Often the National Day will be a Public holiday....
  • National instruments
  • Nationalism
    Nationalism

    Nationalism refers to an ideology, a feeling, a form of culture, or a social movement that focuses on the nation. While there is significant debate over the historical origins of nations, nearly all Expert accept that nationalism, at least as an ideology and social movement, is a Modernity phenomenon originating in Europe....
  • National pastimes
  • Folk dance
    Folk dance

    File:Mugham Festival 2008.jpgFolk dance is a term used to describe a large number of dances, mostly of European origin, that tend to share the following attributes:...
    s
  • Folk hero
    Folk hero

    A folk hero is type of hero, real or mythology. The single salient characteristic which makes a character a folk hero is the imprinting of the name, personality and deeds of the character in the popular consciousness....
  • Folk instrument
    Folk instrument

    A folk instrument is an instrument that developed among common people and usually doesn't have a known inventor. It can be made from wood, metal or other material....
  • Folk music
    Folk music

    Folk music can have a number of different meanings, including:* Traditional music: The original meaning of the term "folk music" was synonymous with the term "Traditional music", also often including World Music and Roots music; the term "Traditional music" was given its more specific meaning to distinguish it from the other definition...
  • Culture hero
    Culture hero

    A culture hero is a mythological hero specific to some group who changes the world through invention or discovery . A typical culture hero might be credited as the discoverer of fire, or agriculture, folk music, tradition and religion, and is usually the most important legendary figure of a people, sometimes as the founder of its ruling dyna...
  • Monuments and cliché
    Cliché

    A clich? or cliche is a saying, expression or idea which has been overused to the point of losing its original meaning, especially when at some earlier time it was considered distinctively meaningful or novel, rendering it a stereotype....
    s associated with tourism
    Tourism

    Tourism is travel for recreational or leisure purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people who "travel to and stay in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes not related to the exercise of an activity remunerated from...
  • National personification
    National personification

    A national personification is an anthropomorphism of a nation; it can appear in both editorial cartoons and propaganda.Some early personifications in the Western world tended to be national manifestations of the majestic wisdom and war goddess Minerva/Athena, and often took the Latin name of the ancient Roman province....
    s
  • Various other national emblems, including special plants, animals and objects associated with the nation
  • In a nation largely stamped by a particular religion, some of its most revered symbols may be adopted as national symbols (occasionally even officially), e.g. the national patron saint or equivalent deity, a major pilgrimage site, church or temple


See also

  • National emblem
    National emblem

    A national emblem national symbols represents a nation. Most national emblems originate in the natural world, such as animals or birds, but another object may serve....
  • Religion in national symbols
    Religion in national symbols

    Religion in national symbols can often be found in national anthems. This has led to controversy in some countries in regard to the separation of church and state, when the national symbol is officially sanctioned by a government....
  • List of international auto racing colors
    List of international auto racing colors

    From the beginning of the 20th century until the late 1960s, before Formula One sponsorship liveries came in use, vehicles competing in Formula One, sports car racing, touring car racing and other international auto racing competitions customarily painted their cars in racing colours reflecting the nation of origin of the car or driver....