List of national symbols and what do they represent!

National symbols of a country represent a host of objects that paint a unique identity about the country’s sensibilities. Representatives are chosen carefully and each depicts a certain virtue that is distinctive characteristic of the country. The rich heritage of India is a result of assimilation of cultural influences from its invaders through the generations. Ours is a multi-faceted culture and the various facets of our heritage require appropriate representation. India has many national symbols with which it identifies itself and takes pride in them. These symbols have been chosen from India’s unique flora and fauna, and its culture and civilization. In a nutshell, these symbols say a lot about India. These symbols are intrinsic to the Indian identity and heritage. Indians of all demographics backgrounds across the world are proud of these National Symbols as they instill a sense of pride and patriotism in every Indian’s heart.

Here is some more information about the national symbols of India:

National Emblem: The National Emblem of India is an adaptation of the Buddhist Lion capital of Ashoka at Sarnath, near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.

National Animal: The Tiger is the National Animal of India. It is the symbol of India’s wealth of wildlife. The magnificent tiger, Panthera tigris is a striped animal.

National Bird: The Peacock (Pavo Cristatus), is the National Bird of India. It is the symbol of qualities like beauty and grace.

National Flag: The National Flag is a horizontal tricolour of deep saffron (Kesari) at the top, white in the middle and the dark green at the bottom and a blue wheel (chakra) with 24 sticks at the centre.

National Fruit: The Mango (Mangiferra Indica) is the National Fruit. It has been cultivated in India since time immemorial.

National Tree: The National Tree of India is the Banyan (Ficus bengalensis) Tree. This huge tree towers over its neighbors and has the widest trunk.

National Sport: Sport Field Hockey, in which India has an impressive record with eight Olympic medals, is considered as the National Sport. However, Home Ministry has said that officially, no sport has been accorded, the status of national Sport.

National Anthem: Jana-Gana-Mana. . the song was composed originally in Bengali by Rabindranath Tagore, adopted in its Hindi version is our National Anthem.

National Song: The song Vande Mataram, composed in Sanskrit by Bankimchandra Chatterji, is our National song.

National Calender: The National Calender based on the Saka Era with Chaitra as its first month and a normal year of 365 days was adopted from 22nd March, 1957.

National Flower: Lotus, scientifically known as Nelumbo nucifera is the National Flower of India.

Other National Symbols of India

National Sentence: Satyamev Jayate
Father of the Nation: Mahatma Gandhi
National Foreign Policy: Non-Alignment
National Information Letter: White Letter
National Currency: Rupee

National Festivals:

Republic Day (26th January)
Independence Day (15th August)
Gandhi Jayanti (2nd October)
National River: Ganga
National Aquatic Animal: Dolphin (Platanista gangetica)
National Heritage Animal: Elephant