Friday 7 March 2014

Ten national symbols of India

Did you know what are national symbols of India. They are pride for all Indians. Below is the list with the pictures.

1) Indian National Flag


A horizontal tricolour of saffron at the top, white in the middle, and green at the bottom. In the centre is a navy blue wheel with twenty-four spokes, known as the Ashoka Chakra. It was designed by Pingali Venkayya. The saffron color represents courage and sacrifice; white – truth, peace and purity; green – prosperity; and the Ashok Chakra represents the Laws of Dharma (righteousness)

2) National Emblem



The emblem of India is an adaptation of the Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka. It was adopted as the National Emblem of India on 26 January 1950, the day that India became a republic. The emblem forms a part of the official letterhead of the Government of India, and appears on all Indian currency as well. The Emblem also consists the motto of India - "Satyameva Jayate" in Devanagari Script, which means "Truth Alone Triumphs".


3) National Anthem of India- Jana gana mana


"Jana Gana Mana" was officially adopted by the Constituent Assembly as the Indian national anthem on 24 January 1950. It was composed by Rabindranath Tagore.


4) National Song- Vande Mataram


"Vande Mataram"  composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterji. It is a hymn to the Mother Land. It played a vital role in the Indian independence movement, first sung in a political context by Rabindranath Tagore at the 1896 session of the Indian National Congress. In 1950 (after India's independence), the song's first two verses were given the official status of the "national song" of the Republic of India, distinct from the national anthem of India, Jana Gana Mana.


5) National Flower- Lotus




Lotus is a sacred flower and occupies a unique position in the art and mythology of ancient India and has been an auspicious symbol of Indian culture. It is the flower of goddess Laxmi and symbolizes wealth, prosperity, and fertility.

6) National Fruit- Mango


 Mangoes have been cultivated in India from time immemorial. The poet Kalidasa sang its praises. Alexander savoured its taste, as did the Chinese pilgrim Hieun Tsang. Mughal emperor Akbar planted 100,000 mango trees in Darbhanga, Bihar at a place now known as Lakhi Bagh. The king of fruits has rightly earned its prestige in form of national fruit of India.


7) National Animal- Royal Bengal Tiger

The  Royal Bengal tiger is the national animal of India which symbolizes power.

8) National Bird- Peacock



In 1963, the peacock was declared the National Bird of India because of its rich religious and legendary involvement in Indian traditions. The  choice was made because the bird is present all over  the country. Even the common man recognises it . It must not be confused with the bird emblem of any other nation. It should be associated with Indian myths and legends. The peacock fit the bill.

9) National tree- Banyan tree




The branches of Indian Banyan tree root themselves to form new trees and grow over large areas. Because of this characteristic and its longevity, this tree is considered immortal and is an integral part of the myths and legends of India.

10) National River- Ganges/ Ganga


The Ganges or Ganga, is a trans-boundary river of India and Bangladesh. The river rises in the western Himalayas in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, and flows south and east through the Gangetic Plain of North India into Bangladesh, where it empties into the Bay of Bengal. The Ganges is the most sacred river to Hindus and is also a lifeline to millions of Indians who live along its course and depend on it for their daily needs It is worshiped as the goddess Ganga in Hinduism. . In November 2008, the Ganges, alone among India's rivers, was declared a National River.



So how many of you did remember all this? Of course, there are rules to follow when National Anthem is played and national flag hoisted. One must respect all the national symbols and preserve them.

pic & information source; wiki

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