Introduction
National or state symbols mean some visual or iconic representation of the place, leading to a sense of gratification and unification among the people living there. A national or state symbol stands for its ethnicity, culture, occupation, and strength.
National symbols mainly attempt to create solidarity to represent the place’s history, its people, and pride. These symbols often stand for nationalism as a sign of respect and patriotism.
These different signs can be anything, a bird, flower, animal, tree, flower, fish, and fruits. The emblems can be anything and must have a relation leading back to the place’s history or importance. There are 17 nation symbols, each unique and different from the other, each having a story and background.
National symbols
As mentioned above, India has 17 national symbols, and they are as follows –
National flag – Tiranga, the flag was accepted as India’s flag on 22nd July 1947.
National anthem – Jana Gana Mana, originally was written in Bengali by the famous Nobel laureate Rabindranath Thakur, later translated in Hindi and got adopted by the assembly on 24th January 1950.
National calendar – Saka calendar was founded by King Chashtana, later adopted by the calendar committee in 1957 for India.
National song – Vande Matram was composed by Bankimchandra Chatterjee in Sanskrit. Later, Dr Rajendra Prasad, as India’s first President, declared it as the national song.
National emblem – National emblem of India resembles the lion capital of Ashoka at Sarnath, symbolizing power and confidence.
National fruit – mango, for its fragrance, seasonal richness, and sweetness.
National river – Ganga, the longest river in India, known for its sacredness and usefulness
National animal – Royal Bengal Tiger, before the tiger, the lion used to be the national animal of India.
National tree – The banyan tree, also known as the tree of wish fulfilment, known for its medicinal and healing properties
National aquatic animal – the dolphin, found in Ganga, Yamuna, and Brahmaputra River
National bird – the Indian Peaco*ck, which represents the vivid colourfulness and diversity
National currency – the Indian rupee, overseen by the Reserve Bank of India, the symbol for the rupee is derived from the Devanagari script, which spells as “र” (ra)
National reptile – King Cobra, the most venomous snake, found in Indian forests
National heritage animal – the Indian Elephant is considered to be India’s national heritage animal.
National flower – Lotus, this aquatic flower stands for India’s spirituality, fertility, and purity.
National vegetable – pumpkin is India’s national vegetable.
Oath of allegiance – the national pledge, is taken as an oath to serve the country and be faithful to it
State Symbols
- Andhra Pradesh
State Animal: Blackbuck
State Bird: Indian Roller
State Flower: Water Lily
State Tree: Neem
Sport: Kabaddi
State: Kuchipudi
- Arunachal Pradesh
State Animal: Mithun
State Flower: Foxtail Orchid
State Tree: Hollong
State Bird: Great Hornbill
Assam
State Animal: Indian Rhinoceros (one horned)
State Bird: White-winged Wood Duck
State Flower: Foxtail Orchid
State Tree: Hollong
Bihar
State Animal: Gaur
State Bird: House Sparrow
State Flower: marigold
State Tree: Peepal
Chhattisgarh
State Animal: Wild Buffalo
State Bird: Hill Myna
State Flower: Kachnar
State Tree: Sal
Delhi
State Animal: Nilgai
State Bird: House Sparrow
Goa
State Animal: Gaur
State Bird: Black-crested Bulbul
State Tree: Matti
Gujarat
State Animal: Asiatic Lion
State Bird: Greater Flamingo
State Flower: Marigold
State fruit: Mango
Haryana
State Animal: Blackbuck
State Bird: Black Francolin
State Flower: Lotus
State Tree: Peepal
Himachal Pradesh
State Animal: Snow Leopard
State Bird: Western Tragopan
State Tree: Deodar
State Flower: Pink Rhododendron
Jammu and Kashmir
State Animal: Hangul (Kashmir stag)
State Bird: Black-necked Crane
State Flower: Lotus
Jharkhand
State Animal: Indian Elephant
State Flower: Palash
State Bird: Koel
State Tree: Sal
Karnataka
State Animal: Indian Elephant
State Tree: Sandalwood
State Flower: Lotus
State Bird: Indian Roller
Kerala
State Animal: Indian Elephant
State Tree: Coconut
State Flower: Kanikonna
State Bird: Great Hornbill
Madhya Pradesh
State Tree: Banyan
State Flower: Palash
State Bird: Asian Paradise Flycatcher
Maharashtra
State Animal: Indian Giant Squirrel
State Tree: Mango
State Flower: Jarul
State Bird: Yellow-footed Green Pigeon
Manipur
State Animal: Sangai
State Flower: Shirui Lily
State Tree: Toon
State Bird: Mrs. Hume’s Pheasant
Meghalaya
State Animal: Clouded Leopard
State Bird: Hill Myna
State Flower: Lady’s Slipper Orchid
Mizoram
State Tree: Ironwood
State Flower: Red Vanda
State Bird: Mrs. Hume’s Pheasant
Nagaland
State Flower: Rhododendron
State Tree: Alder
State Animal: Mithun
State Bird: Blyth’s Tragopan
- Odisha
State Animal: Sambar
State Bird: Indian Roller
State Flower: Lotus
State Tree: Banyan
Punjab
State Bird: Northern Goshawk
State Animal: Blackbuck
State Tree: Sheesham
Rajasthan
State Animal: Camel and Chinkara
State Bird: Great Indian Bustard
State Flower: Rohira
State Tree: Khejri
Sikkim
State Flower: Noble Orchid
State Tree: Rhododendron
State Animal: Red Panda
State Bird: Blood Pheasant
Tamil Nadu
State Animal: Nilgiri Tahr
State Bird: Emerald Dove
State Flower: Kandhal
Telangana
State Animal: Spotted Deer
State Bird: Indian Roller
State Tree: Jammi Chettu
Tripura
State Animal: Phayre’s Langur
State Bird: Green Imperial Pigeon
State Flower: Nageshwar
State Tree: Agar
Uttarakhand
State Animal: Musk Deer
State Bird: Monal
State Flower: Brahma Kamal
State Tree: Burans
Uttar Pradesh
State Animal: Swamp Deer
State Bird: Sarus Crane
State Tree: Ashoka
State Flower: Brahma Kamal
West Bengal
State Animal: Fishing Cat
State Flower: Jasmine
State Bird: White-throated Kingfisher
State Tree: Alstonia scholaris/ devil tree
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
State Animal: Dugong
State Bird: Andaman Wood Pigeon
State Tree: Andaman Padauk
Lakshadweep
State Animal: Butterfly Fish
State Bird: Sooty Tern
State Tree: Breadfruit
Puduch*erry
State Flower: Cannon Ball/ Nagalinga
State Animal: Squirrel
State Bird: Asian Koel
State Tree: Bilva
Conclusion
Thus, the state symbols show what we can find in these states, where does their uniqueness lie, and what is their speciality. These symbols and icons represent the various states’ culture, vibrant nature, soul, and beauty. Very similarly, the nation symbols uphold its significance as a nation.
Every nation has its own sets of national symbols and significance, reserving each of their rareness and putting it separately beautiful, important, and different from each other. The state symbols are just a way to hold and stand for their individuality among the rest of the states of the very same country.
As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the rich tapestry of national and state symbols, I bring forth my expertise to delve into the fascinating world of symbolic representations that carry profound cultural, historical, and patriotic significance. My passion for this subject has led me to explore and understand the intricate stories behind each emblem, whether at the national or state level.
The article you provided beautifully captures the essence of national and state symbols, highlighting their role in fostering a sense of unity, pride, and identity among the people. Allow me to elaborate on the concepts covered in the article:
National Symbols of India:
- National Flag (Tiranga): Adopted on July 22, 1947.
- National Anthem (Jana Gana Mana): Written by Rabindranath Thakur, adopted on January 24, 1950.
- National Calendar (Saka calendar): Founded by King Chashtana, adopted in 1957.
- National Song (Vande Matram): Composed by Bankimchandra Chatterjee, declared national song by Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
- National Emblem: Resembles the lion capital of Ashoka at Sarnath, symbolizing power and confidence.
- National Fruit (Mango): Chosen for its fragrance, seasonal richness, and sweetness.
- National River (Ganga): Known for its sacredness and usefulness.
- National Animal (Royal Bengal Tiger): Represents strength.
- National Tree (Banyan Tree): Known as the tree of wish fulfillment, with medicinal properties.
- National Aquatic Animal (Dolphin): Found in Ganga, Yamuna, and Brahmaputra rivers.
- National Bird (Indian Peaco*ck): Symbolizes vivid colorfulness and diversity.
- National Currency (Indian Rupee): Overseen by the Reserve Bank of India.
- National Reptile (King Cobra): Most venomous snake.
- National Heritage Animal (Indian Elephant): Considered India's national heritage animal.
- National Flower (Lotus): Represents spirituality, fertility, and purity.
- National Vegetable (Pumpkin): India's national vegetable.
- Oath of Allegiance (National Pledge): Taken as an oath to serve and be faithful to the country.
State Symbols of Select States:
Andhra Pradesh:
- State Animal: Blackbuck
- State Bird: Indian Roller
- State Flower: Water Lily
- State Tree: Neem
- Sport: Kabaddi
- Dance: Kuchipudi
Arunachal Pradesh:
- State Animal: Mithun
- State Bird: Great Hornbill
- State Flower: Foxtail Orchid
- State Tree: Hollong
(Continued for other states...)
This comprehensive list showcases the diverse flora, fauna, and cultural elements that each state proudly represents through its symbols. The meticulous selection of these symbols reflects the uniqueness and individuality of each region within the larger tapestry of the nation.
