- This article is about symbols of nations, official or not. For the Edwin Eugene Bagley march, see National Emblem (march).
A national emblem symbolically represents a nation. Most national emblems originate in the natural world, (as animals, say, or birds), but another object may serve.
National emblems may appear on many thing such as the national flag, coat of arms, or other patriotic materials. One should not confuse a formal national emblem with less formal symbols potentially associated with tourism or clichés, for example windmills in the Netherlands. Even though, many unofficial symbols are as important as the official ones - or even more, since some of them are recognized as "symbols" by the people spontaneously, what may not happen with the official symbols. Official symbols are defined by law, which guarantee the proper use of them.
The national emblems of nations of the world in alphabetical order.
Animals (National fauna)
- Albania – Black double-headed eagle
- Argentina – cougar and hornero (bird)
- Armenia - eagle and lion
- Australia – kangaroo, emu
- Austria – black eagle
- Bangladesh – Bengal Tiger
- Belgium – lion (Leo Belgicus)
- Bhutan - takin (Budorcas taxicolor tibetana)
- Bolivia – llama
- Brazil – Rufous-bellied Thrush (bird), jaguar (unofficial), Hyacinth Macaw (unofficial), Golden Lion Tamarin (unofficial)
- Brittany – stoat
- Bulgaria – lion
- Cambodia – kouprey (mammal), Giant Ibis (bird), Asian river terrapin (reptile), Giant Barb (fish)
- Canada –beaver, Canadian Horse
- Chile – condor, huemul
- China – Chinese dragon (historical), giant panda, tiger (unofficial)
- Colombia – Andean condor
- Cuba - Cuban Crocodile
- Czech Republic – lion
- Denmark – lion
- East Timor – crocodile
- Ecuador -Andean Condor
- Egypt – Saladin's eagle
- England - lion
- Eritrea – camel
- Estonia – barn swallow
- Ethiopia - Abyssinian Lion (also known as the Lion of Judah)
- Finland – lion, whooper swan, brown bear, European perch, ladybird
- France – Gallic rooster
- Germany – black eagle (Bundesadler)
- Greece - Athenian owl (obsolete), phoenix (obsolete)
- Guatemala – quetzal
- Iceland – falcon
- India – Peacock (bird); Royal Bengal Tiger (animal); Indian Elephant (unofficial)
- Italy – Wolf (unofficial)
- Indonesia – Garuda, Komodo dragon
- Japan – pheasant, crane (bird)
- Laos – elephant
- Lebanon - cedar
- Republic of Macedonia - lion
- Malaysia – tiger stripes
- Malta – blue rock thrush (bird), Kelb-tal Fenek (dog)
- Mexico – golden eagle
- Moldova – auroch
- Montenegro – lion
- Nepal – Bengal Tiger
- Netherlands – lion
- New Zealand– kiwi
- North Korea- Siberian Tiger
- Norway – lion
- Pakistan – Markhor (national animal); Chukar (national bird)
- Panama – harpy eagle
- Papua New Guinea - bird of paradise
- Peru - Vicuña
- Philippines – Philippine eagle, Carabao
- Poland – white eagle
- Portugal – galo de Barcelos, cock
- Republic of Ireland - Cilladagh, Leprachaun
- Romania – golden eagle
- Russia – bear, golden bicephalic eagle
- Saint Kitts and Nevis - vervet monkey (mammal), brown pelican (bird)
- Scotland – red lion (also known as the Lion Rampant)
- Serbia – white bicephalic eagle
- Singapore – merlion, lion
- Slovenia - carinthian black panther
- South Africa – Springbok Antelope
- South Korea – magpie (unofficial bird), Korean tiger (unofficial animal)
- Soviet Union – Siberian tiger
- Spain – Osborne's bull
- Sri Lanka – lion
- Sudan – Secretary Bird
- Sweden – lion
- Thailand – elephant
- Uganda – grey-crowned crane
- United Kingdom – bulldog, European robin, Lion
- United States – American bald eagle
- Venezuela – turpial
- Vietnam - water buffalo
- Wales – red dragon (Y Ddraig Goch)
National personifications
- Albania - Mother Albania
- Bharat – Bharat Mata
- Cambodia – Preah Thaong and Neang Neak
- Canada - Johnny Canuck (unofficial)
- Chile - the huaso, the roto, Doña Juanita
- Czech Republic - Jára Cimrman
- Denmark – Holger Danske
- Finland – Finnish Maiden
- France – Marianne
- Germany – Deutscher Michel, Germania
- Greece - Athena
- Iceland – Woman of the mountains
- Ireland - Erin, Hibernia
- Israel - Srulik
- Italy - Italia Turrita
- Norway – Ola Nordmann, Kari Nordmann
- Pakistan - Pak Watan
- Philippines – Juan de la Cruz, Inang Bayan
- Portugal - Sebastian of Portugal, Zé Povinho
- South Korea – Dangun
- Spain - Don Quixote
- Sweden – Mother Svea
- Switzerland – Helvetia
- United Kingdom – Britannia, John Bull
- United States – Uncle Sam, Lady Liberty, historically Brother Jonathan and Columbia
- Vietnam - Tran Hung Dao
See also: National personification
Plants (National flora)
- Argentina – Ceibo
- Australia – golden wattle
- Austria - Gentian (German: Enzian)
- Bangladesh – jackfruit, white water lily, Banyan tree
- Bhutan - Blue poppy (Meconopsis grandis)
- Bolivia – Kantatu
- Bulgaria – rose
- Brazil - Tabebuia alba flower (Tecoma alba)
- Brunei – Simpor (Dillenia suffruticosa)
- Cambodia – Romduol (Mitrella mesnyi or Melodorum fruticosum) (flower), "chicken-egg banana" (fruit)
- Canada – maple leaf, (unofficial)
- China – Primary: peony (specifically Rock's Peony or tree peony) Supplementaries: chrysanthemum (autumn), mei blossom (winter), orchid (spring), water lily (summer), (See: [1])
- People's Republic of China – sunflower (obsolete), peony (unofficial)
- Taiwan – mei blossom
- Chile – copihue
- Colombia – orchid (Cattleya Trianae)
- Denmark – red clover
- Egypt – Egyptian lotus
- England – Tudor rose, Red Rose
- Estonia – blue cornflower
- Finland – lily of the valley, white rose
- France – lily (Ancien Régime)
- Germany – oak
- Greece - laurel branch
- Iceland – White Dryas (Dryas octopetala)
- India – the lotus, Nelumbo nucifera, Banyan tree
- Indonesia – melati (Jasminum sambac), moth orchid (Phalaenopsis amabilis)
- Iran – tulip (depicted on the Flag of Iran)
- Iraq – rose
- Jamaica – lignum vitae
- Japan – cherry blossom, chrysanthemum
- Jordan – black iris (Iris chrysographes)
- Kuwait – Rhanterium epapposum
- Malta – Maltese Rock Centaury
- Republic of Macedonia - Poppy
- Malaysia – Chinese Hibiscus
- Maldives – rose
- Mexico – dahlia
- Nepal – Rhododendron
- Netherlands – tulip
- Newfoundland – Pitcher Plant
- New Zealand – silver fern (foliage), koru, and kowhai (flower)
- North Korea – Kimjongilia
- Norway – heather
- Pakistan – Jasmine and Rhododendron (National flowers) and Deodar (National tree)
- Panama – Holy Ghost Orchid/Flor del Espiritu Santo (Peristeria elata)
- Philippines – sampaguita (Arabian jasmine, Jasminum sambac)
- Poland - Weeping Willow
- Portugal - Lavender, Olive leaves, Cork Oak
- Republic of Ireland – shamrock (or trefoil)
- Romania - Rose
- Russia – camomile
- Saint Kitts and Nevis - Red Royal Poinciana
- Scotland – Thistle, Scottish Bluebell (Harebell), Heather
- Serbia – plum
- Singapore – Vanda Miss Joaquim, orchid
- Slovenia – carnation
- South Africa – king protea
- South Korea – Hibiscus
- Soviet Union – carnation
- Sri Lanka - Nil Manel (Nymphaea stellata)
- Switzerland – edelweiss
- Thailand - Rachapruek (Cassia fistula)
- United States – Rose (Official since October 7, 1986 with President Reagan)
- Venezuela – "Flor de Mayo" (Cattleya mossiae) (orchid)
- Vietnam – Lotus
- Wales – daffodil, leek
- Zimbabwe – flame lily
Trees
- Albania – Olive
- Argentina – Ceibo
- Belize – mahogany
- Bhutan - Bhutan Cypress (Cupressus cashmeriana)
- Brazil – Tabebuia alba (Tecoma alba), Brazilwood (Caesalpinia echinata, unofficial), Roystonea oleracea (obsolete)
- Cambodia – palmyra palm (Borassus flabellifer)
- Canada – Maple
- Chile - Araucaria araucana
- Colombia – Quindio Wax Palm (Ceroxylon quindiuense)
- Czech Republic – linden
- Denmark – beech
- England – oak
- Estonia – oak
- Finland – birch, Silver Birch
- Germany – oak
- Greece - olive
- Guatemala – ceiba
- India – banyan (National tree)
- Italy - Olive and Oak
- Japan – Cherry blossom
- Lebanon – Lebanon Holy Cedar
- Madagascar – baobab
- Maldives – Coconut palm
- Malta – Għargħar
- Moldova – oak
- Pakistan – Deodar (national tree)
- Panama – Panama tree (Sterculia apetala)
- Paraguay – lapacho (Tabebuia impetiginosa)
- Peru - Cinchona - Kiwicha
- Philippines – narra
- Portugal - Olive tree
- Russia – birch
- Saudi Arabia – Phoenix palm
- Scotland – Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris}
- Senegal – baobab
- Slovenia – tilia (linden)
- South Africa – real yellowwood
- South Korea – gingko, magnolia
- Sri Lanka - Na (Mesua nagasarium)
- Tanzania - African Blackwood
- Thailand - Rachapruek (Cassia fistula)
- Ukraine – Viburnum, Willow
- United States – oak
- Venezuela – Araguaney (Tabebuia chrysantha)
- Viet Nam - bamboo, rice
Inanimate objects
- Albania – castle of Kruja
- Argentina – Yerba mate
- Armenia – Mount Ararat
- Australia – southern cross (5 stars), Federation Star
- Azerbaijan – fire
- Brazil – Southern Cross, Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain
- China – Tiananmen, Blue Sky with a White Sun
- Cambodia – Angkor Wat
- Croatia – checkerboard (šahovnica)
- Estonia – limestone
- France - Eiffel Tower, Mona Lisa (unofficial), Louvre (unofficial)
- Greece - Parthenon (unofficial)
- India – the Lion Capital of Asoka, spinning wheel
- Ireland – celtic harp called a clairseach
- Israel – the menorah
- Italy – Leaning Tower of Pisa (unofficial), Colosseum (unofficial), Venetian gondola (unofficial)
- Japan – the Sun, depicted without rays
- Laos - the Pha That Luang
- New Zealand – southern cross (4 stars)
- Pakistan - Minar-e-Pakistan (Tower of Pakistan) and Teen Talwar (Three Swords) (All unofficial)
- Peru - Machu Picchu, Pisco and Cajón.
- Saudi Arabia – the sword of Ibn Saud
- Serbia – firesteels
- Slovenia - Triglav with Aljažev stolp
- Soviet Union – Hammer and sickle
- Sweden – Three Crowns
- United States -Mount Rushmore
- Vietnam - Sickle and Yellow Star
Nationalized patriotic symbols
- Argentina – Sun of May
- Australia – Commonwealth Star
- Bangladesh - Red Sun
- Bhutan - Drake
- Brittany – Ermine
- Canada – Maple Leaf
- China - The Great Wall
- Croatia – Checkerboard
- England – St George's Cross, Three Lions
- France – Fleur-de-lis (Ancien Régime)
- Germany – Iron Cross (obsolete)
- Greece - Greek Cross, Vergina Sun (since 1993)
- India – Ashoka Chakra, Lion Capital of Asoka
- Indonesia – Garuda Pancasila
- Ireland – St. Patrick's Cross
- Isle of Man – Triskelion
- Israel – Star of David
- Italy - Savoyard Cross (obsolete)
- Japan-Chrysanthemum Throne
- Lebanon – Phoenician Longship (obsolete)
- Republic of Macedonia - 16-rayed sun
- Malaysia – Bintang Persekutuan (Federal Stars)
- Malta – George Cross, Maltese Cross
- Northern Ireland – red hand
- Pakistan – Star and crescent (unofficial)
- Portugal - Armillary sphere, Braganza shield, Cross of the Order of Christ (obsolete); Cross of the Order of Aviz (obsolete)
- Serbia – firesteels
- Singapore – Lion head
- Slovakia – patriarchal cross and three mountains
- Scotland – Saltire or St Andrew's Cross
- South Korea – Yin Yang
- Spain - Pillars of Hercules
- Switzerland – Swiss cross
- Turkey – star and crescent
- Ukraine – trident
- United States - Statue of Liberty
- Vietnam - Yellow lotus
- European Union - 12 yellow stars arranged in a circle
Patron saints
- Bharat - Mahatma Gandhi, Bapu, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
- Brazil - Our Lady Who Appeared and Saint Peter of Alcantara (obsolete)
- Jean de Brébeuf and the seven other Canadian Martyrs
- Cornwall - Saint Piran
- Cyprus - Mary, Lazarus, Barnabus and Paul
- Czech Republic - Adalbert of Magdeburg, Saint Wenceslas
- England - Saint George
- Ethiopia - Saint George
- Finland -Saint Henry
- France - St. Louis IX
- Galicia - Saint James the Great
- Georgia - Saint George
- Germany - Saint Michael
- Greece - Mary, Saint Andrew, Saint George, Saint Nicholas
- Hungary - Mary (unofficial)
- Ireland - Saint Patrick, Saint Brigid of Kildare, Saint Colmcille
- Italy - Saint Francis of Assisi
- Montenegro - Saint George
- Poland - Saint Wojciech (Adalbert)
- Pakistan Data Durbar is the tomb of Hazrat Syed Abul Hassan Bin Usman Bin Ali Al-Hajweri, the famous Sufi saint of South Asia
- Portugal - Saint George (obsolete), Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception and Our Lady of Fatima
- Scotland - Saint Andrew and Saint Columba (obsolete)
- Spain - Saint James the Great
- United States - The Blessed Virgin Mary, under her title of the Immaculate Conception, is the official Roman Catholic patron saint of the United States; Saint James the Great (unofficial)
- Wales - Saint David
See also
- National symbols
- List of national animals
- List of national anthems (Nation-States)
- List of national birds
- List of national reptiles
- List of national amphibians
- List of national flowers
- List of national fruits
- List of national vegetables
- List of national colours
- List of national trees
- List of national heroes
- List of national sports
- List of national costumes
- List of national poets
- List of national songs (patriotic)
- List of national mottos
- List of national days
- List of national mountains
- List of national rivers
- List of national flags
- List of national monuments
- List of national mosques
- List of national mausoleums
- List of national airlines
- List of national languages
- List of national cinemas
- Floral emblem
- Fauna emblem