NATIONAL SYMBOLS OF INDIA

National symbols represent the identity, sovereignty, culture and values of a nation. National symbols promote unity and inspire patriotism among citizens. India has also adopted several national symbols. The National Flag, National Anthem and National Song were adopted by the Constituent Assembly itself. Subsequently, the Government of India recognised several other national symbols.

NATIONAL FLAG

The Indian flag evolved through the freedom movement. The first Indian flag was hoisted on 7 August 1906 at Kolkata. It had three horizontal stripes – green, yellow and red. On the green stripe there were eight lotus flowers symbolising eight provinces. “Vande Mataram” was written on the yellow stripe in the middle. The sun and crescent appeared on the red stripe.

Bhikaji Cama unfurled a modified flag in 1907.

In 1917, a different flag was unfurled during the Home Rule Movement. It had five red and four green stripes. There was a Union Jack in the corner. It also contained seven stars and one crescent.

In 1921, the Swaraj Flag was designed by Pingali Venkayya. It had red, white and green stripes with a spinning wheel at the centre.

In 1931, the tricolour flag was accepted by the Indian National Congress. It had saffron, white and green stripes with a spinning wheel at the centre.

On 22 July 1947, the present National Flag was adopted by the Constituent Assembly. It is similar to the tricolour flag accepted by the Congress, but instead of the spinning wheel, the Ashoka Chakra was adopted. Saffron represents courage and sacrifice. White represents peace and truth. Green represents faith and prosperity. The Ashoka Chakra represents progress and righteousness.

NATIONAL ANTHEM

“Jana Gana Mana”, written by Rabindranath Tagore, was adopted as the National Anthem by the Constituent Assembly on 24 January 1950. It was originally written in Bengali.

“Jana Gana Mana” has five stanzas, but only the first stanza was adopted as the National Anthem.

The official duration of the full version of the National Anthem is 52 seconds, while the short version lasts 20 seconds.

NATIONAL SONG

“Vande Mataram”, written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, was adopted as the National Song by the Constituent Assembly on 24 January 1950.

NATIONAL EMBLEM

The Lion Capital of Ashoka, erected on a pillar in the 3rd century BCE and located at Sarnath, was adopted as the National Emblem. It has four Asiatic lions standing back-to-back on a circular abacus featuring an elephant, horse, bull and lion. It also contains the Dharma Chakra.

In the adopted emblem, only three lions are visible. On the abacus, only the horse and bull are visible with the Dharma Chakra at the centre. “Satyameva Jayate”, taken from the Mundaka Upanishad, is inscribed below it.

NATIONAL CALENDAR

The Saka Calendar was adopted as the National Calendar on 22 March 1957 by the Government of India.

NATIONAL ANIMAL

The Bengal Tiger was adopted as the National Animal by the Government of India in 1973. Before that, the lion was regarded as the National Animal.

NATIONAL HERITAGE ANIMAL

The elephant was declared the National Heritage Animal by the Government of India in 2010.

NATIONAL BIRD

The peacock was adopted as the National Bird in 1963 through an executive decision of the Government of India.

NATIONAL RIVER

The Ganga River was declared the National River by the Government of India in 2008 because of its geographical, economic and cultural significance.

NATIONAL AQUATIC ANIMAL

The Ganges River Dolphin was adopted as the National Aquatic Animal by the Government of India in 2009.

NATIONAL CURRENCY SYMBOL

The Indian Rupee Symbol (₹) was adopted as the National Currency Symbol on 15 July 2010 by the Government of India.

NATIONAL FLOWER

The lotus is traditionally recognised as the National Flower of India.

NATIONAL TREE

The Banyan Tree is traditionally recognised as the National Tree of India.

NATIONAL FRUIT

The mango is traditionally recognised as the National Fruit of India.

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