Indian National Symbols – National Symbols Of India – List of National Symbols
What is our national symbol?
Which is the national Song?
Which is the national Flower?
Which is the national Fruit?
Which is the national Animal?
Which is the national Bird?
Which is the national Emblem?
Which is the national Anthem?
Which is the national Sport?
Which is the national Calendar?
Which is the national Tree?
What is the name of national Emblem of India?
What is the name of national Anthem of India?
What is the name of our national Animal?
What is the name of our national Flower?
What is the name of our national Fruit?
What is the name of our national Bird?
What is the name of our national Sport?
What is the name of our national Tree?
What is the name of our national Calendar?
National Song of India
Vande Mataram, the National Song of India, was composed during the fight for freedom by the freedom fighter Bankimchandra Chatterji in Sanskrit. The Song served as boost to the people fighting in the freedom struggle. It was officially first sung in the 1896 session of the Indian National Congress.
History
Bankimchandra Chatterji wrote ‘Vande Mataram’ on November 7, 1875. The year 1905 saw the division of Bengal called forth by Lord Curzon. The entire Bengal erupted in fury over Curzon’s decision and echoed Vande Mataram; the then Governor of Bengal imposed a ban on its utterance. The ban on ‘Vande Mataram’ led to the prominence of the Song at the national level. The National Song was received with open hands as the means to express the frustration and anger over the British by the Indians.
National Song’s public appearance
It was Rabindranath Tagore who publicly sang the National Song ‘Vande Mataram’ in his own tune in Calcutta in 1896. Another tune was framed by the maestro Pt. Vishnu Digamber Palusker in Kaafi tune. There are several tunes in which Vande Mataram has been composed. The National Song made its first public appearance in Pt. Palusker’s tune in Lahore. All India Radio broadcasts the National Song in the ‘Sarang’ tune.
The National Song of India commands the same respect and authority as earned by the National Anthem. Decorum and code of conduct has to be maintained while singing the National Song as well. The National Song is usually sung on occasions of national importance and other public occasions.
Vande Mataram !
Sujalam, Suphalam,
Malayaja Shitalam,
Shasya shyamalam, Mataram !Shubhra jyotsna Pulakita yaminim
Phulla Kusumita
Drumadala Shobhinim,
Suhasinim, Sumadhura Bhashinim,
Sukhadam, Varadam, Mataram !Sapta Kotikantha
Kalakala Ninada Karale
Dvisapt Koti Bhujair Dhrita
Khara Karavale
Abala Kena Ma Eta Bale !
Bahubala Dharinim,
Namami Tarinim,
Ripudalavarinim Mataram !
Tvam Hi Durga
Dashpraharana Dharini,
Kamala, Kamaladalaviharini, Vani,
Vidyadayani, Namami Tvam,
Namami, Kamalam,
Amalam, Atulam,
Sujalam, Suphalam, Mataram,
Vande Mataram !
Shyamalam, Saralam,
Susmitam, Bhushitam,
Dharanim, Bharanim Mataram !
National Flower of India
Conquering the world of art and culture of India is its National Flower, Lotus. Due to diverse and rich flora this National Flower is available in abundant numbers across India. Scientifically known as Nelumbo Nucifera, Lotus is a shallow water aquatic plant that has wide leaves floating on the shallow waters. It is breath-taking sight to see full-bloomed lotus plants in shallow waters symbolizing an essence of beauty.
Lotus symbolizes money, plurality, knowledge and awakening. Though the flower grows in mud, it is said to represent the purity of heart and mind. The National Flower is also the symbol of Gods and Goddesses and is used in religious rituals.
National Flower signifying Culture and History
As an epitome of cleanliness and divinity, the National Flower forms the seating for almighty Vishnu, Brahma, Lakshmi and Saraswati. Hindu mythology refers Lord Vishnu as the ‘Lotus-Eyed.’ For Buddhists, Lotus is the symbol of faithfulness and therefore is regarded as auspicious. The National Flower is a manifestation of holy vedic and Purani literature.
National Fruit of India
The Mango is the national fruit. National fruit Mango has been cultivated in India since ages, is regarded as the “Food of the Gods.” According to the sacred Vedas, Mango is grown all over India, barring the hilly areas.
Mango provides the body with Vitamin A, C and D and forms an important part of the cultivation of fruits in the tropical world. Mango is the National Fruit of India. In India, Mango can be found in different colors, shapes and sizes with different price ranges as well.
There have been praises for the National Fruit of India from all across the world. Be it Kalidasa, Greek King Alexander the Great or the Chinese pilgrim Hieun Tsang. Historians say that Emperor Akbar was so fond of mangoes that he planted 100,000 mango trees in Darbhanga (Bihar).
Variety of Mangoes
There are over 100 varieties of mangos in India, in a range of colors, sizes, and shapes. Some of the most popular Mango varieties found in India include Alphonso, Jahangir, Kesar, Amrapali, Dashaheri, Fazli, Totapuri, Vanraj and Zardalu so on and so forth.
Climatic conditions
The cultivation of our National Fruit requires climate that is frost-free. Warm and dry weather, with the ability to grow in large containers makes the National Fruit an easily cultivable fruit. Being able to grow fast and shady in nature, a Mango tree can grow as tall as 60 feet and has a very long life.
National Flag of India
The symbol of National pride, the National Flag of India also known as the tricolor was adopted on July 22, 1947 by the Constituent Assembly. Recognized during the Indian Freedom Struggle, the National Flag went through several changes to arrive at the present form. From the hoisting of the first flag at Parsee Bagan Square in Calcutta on August 7, 1906; followed by the second flag hoisting by Madam Cama and her band of revolutionaries in 1907 and the third flag was hoisted by Annie Besant and Lokmanya Tilak in 1917 when the Indian Freedom Struggle was taking a different turn.
The tricolor visible on the National Flag was different before the flag was officially adopted by the Constituent Assembly. Earlier colors of red, white, green, and the saptarishi stars gave way to saffron, white and green with a blue dharma chakra in the centre. While saffron or kesariya in Indian language, represents the strength and courage of the country; white symbolizes peace and truth and green is the symbol of fertility, growth and auspiciousness. The Dharma Chakra at the centre depicts the “wheel of law” of the Sarnath Lion Capital made by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka. This “wheel of law” is representative of life in movement and death in stagnation.
A Flag Code has been propounded for citizens to follow. The Code ensures proper use and hoisting of the National Flag; it mentions certain Do’s and Don’ts that the people, any government or private organizations are meant to follow. While the National Flag can be hoisted by any educational institution and other organizations on any day other than National holidays; the National Flag cannot be used for communal gains or draperies. Respecting the National Flag symbolizes the aspirations bestowed by the people of India in it.
National Emblem of India
Indian National Emblem is an adaptation from Ashoka’s Sarnath Lion Capital. The archetypal sculpture has four lions, standing adjacent, towering upon an abacus with a frieze that bears sculptures of an elephant, a horse, a bull and a lion which in turn is separated by wheels that mediate over a bell-shaped lotus. A block of polished sandstone carves out the Capital that is crowned by the Wheel of the Law known as the Dharma Chakra.
Adopted by Indian Government on January 26, 1950, the National Emblem visible now shows only three lions as the fourth is hidden away. The wheel appears at the centre of the abacus with a bull on right and a horse on left; while the other wheels outline on extreme right and left. The bell-shaped lotus has been removed.
The phrase, Satyameva Jayate, which mean ‘Truth Alone Triumphs’, have been inscribed below the abacus in Devanagari script. The inscription in itself is representative of the importance of leading a truthful and honest life. It is only “truth” that commands the highest authority anywhere under any circumstances.
National Emblem of India is used as the official seal of the President of India and the Central as well as State Governments. National emblem can be only used for official matters. The emblem represents a high command of respect and loyalty. The National Emblem is representative of India’s command, status and independence.
Being citizens of the country, it is the duty of every Indian, to make sure that the National Emblem meets with the respect and authority that it deserves, be it in its own country or anywhere outside.
National Calendar of India
Indian National Calendar came into being on March 22, 1957. It was developed from the Saka Era. The Chaitra month starts the National Calendar; it also has 365 days. Originally known as Saka Samvat; Indian National Calendar calculates days of religious significance in the Hindu Religion.
History of the National Calendar
Saka Era is the earlier period of the National Calendar. Sanskrit literature draws a lot of reference in its astronomical works through the Saka Calender. The Saka calendar was written after 500 AD. The positions of the stars Sun and Moon help in deciding the Dates or tithis in National Calendar.
Adoption of the National Calendar
The Saka calendar was rectified in terms of errors with respect to the dates and other information related to astronomical works and then developed as the National Calendar. It was a cumbersome task to maintain 30 calendars from different kinds. Therefore, the idea to synchronize all the calendars into one was decided. Thus, evolved the Indian National Calendar.
About Saka Calendar
It is stated that the actual usage of the National Calendar began from aka Era 1879, Chaitra 1. Just like there are 366 days in a leap year in Gregorian calendar; similarly Chaitra month of the year gets an additional day in the Saka calendar to make it a leap year. The twelve months in Saka Calendar are namely: Vaisakha, Jyestha, Asadha, Sravana, Bhadrapada, Asvina, Kartika Margasirsa , Pausa, Magh, Phalgura and Chaitra. The National Calendar is often seen hung in the temple premises for consultation with respect to the dates and times for auspicious occasions.
National Bird of India
Peacock became the National Bird of India in 1963. Like every national symbol, there were criteria to select the National Bird as well like even distribution of the bird across the country, should connect with Indian myths and mythologies, should not be confused with any symbol of any other nation etc.
The most spotted of the National Bird species is the male peacock with its long blue neck and a breath-taking long blue-green tail consisting of 200 feathers. The female species, peahen, is usually smaller than the male peacock and lacks the tail.
National Bird is found mainly in dry forests. They usually appear in the form of one male that forms small groups with several females. Each Peacock feather marks an ornamental ocellus and has a long disintegrated barb that makes the feather look loose and fluffy. The peacock presents a spectacular fan in front of a peahen by fanning out its tail in an outwardly fashion.
In India, “fanning and fluffing” of peacock’s feather is representative of arrival of rain. At the sight of dark clouds the National Bird spreads out its tail and dances in a rhythm. The style of Peacock dance influences the Indian Folklore to a large extent. Peacock is considered as the vahana (vehicle) of Lord Kartik as per Hindu mythology. Peacock’s scientific name, pavo cristatus, the word pavo is derived from a Sanskrit word, Pavana referring to Hindu deity Vayu (wind). There are similar stories related to the Peacock’s connection with the Hindu mythologies.
National Anthem of India
National Anthem of India, Jana Gana Mana, was composed by Rabindranath Tagore. While playing or singing the National Anthem, it is essential to follow the guidelines and code of conduct. The government of India has been issuing such notices over a number of occasions to all the government establishments as well as other places where the National Anthem is played on occasions.
The National Anthem was originally composed in Bengali and was later adopted in Hindi by the Constituent Assembly on January 24, 1950. First sung during the session of Indian National Congress on December 27, 1911; it served as a major patriotic song during the Indian Freedom Struggle.
Jana-gana-mana-adhinayaka, jaya he
Bharata-bhagya-vidhata.
Punjab-Sindh-Gujarat-Maratha
Dravida-Utkala-Banga
Vindhya-Himachala-Yamuna-Ganga
Uchchala-Jaladhi-taranga.
Tava shubha name jage,
Tava shubha asisa mange,
Gahe tava jaya gatha,
Jana-gana-mangala-dayaka jaya he
Bharata-bhagya-vidhata.
Jaya he, jaya he, jaya he,
Jaya jaya jaya, jaya he!
The National Anthem can be played in the full version on occasions such as Civil and Military investitures; during National Salute, during parades, on arrival of the President at formal functions as well as Government organized mass functions, before addressing the nation on a day of national importance etc.
National Anthem has to be introduced with a roll of drums while being played by a band so that the audience knows about its beginning. National Anthem can be sung by masses while hoisting the National Flag on ceremonial occasions and on arrival of the President at any Government or public function.
National Animal of India
Panthera tigris or Tiger as we call it is the National Animal of India. Coated with thick yellow color with dark stripes, tiger symbolizes grace, agility and strength. Indian Royal Bengal Tiger, one of the eight species of Tiger, is found across India barring the north-western region. Tiger is known to be a predator and a carnivore by nature. This National Animal has its origin from the eastern and southern Asia. Its power and countenance has earned it the name of “lord of the jungle.’
The features of grace, strength, agility and enormous power earned Panthera Tigris the title of National Animal of India. Further, being the lord of Jungle and considered as a Royal Animal, the choice of it being a National Animal were apparent.
Dwindling Tiger Population
Population of tiger has seen a considerable decline over the years. Due to the illegal poachers selling tiger skin and other body parts that fetch them high prices, world has witnessed a fall in the Tiger population. Out of the total tiger population of the world only 5000 -7000 exist in the world.
Project Tiger in India
An initiative to save the National Animal was launched by the Indian Government named Project Tiger in 1973. This initiative was meant to save the extinction of the National Animal and increase its breeding. Project Tiger has established 23 tiger reserves that are a natural abode considered as safe and comfortable for the tigers.
National Game of India
Hockey is the National Game of India. Conquering the podium of medals, India deserves a huge round of accolades when it comes to Hockey with eight Olympic gold medals in its kitty.
The years 1928-56, the golden period for our National Game saw Indian hockey team crowned with six Olympic gold medals and reach new heights. Indian Hockey Team was also the winner of 1975 Hockey World Cup. It was in 1927 that the Indian Hockey Federation got its affiliation to be a part of the International Hockey Federation.
Indian Hockey team’s Olympic tour saga is considered to be the golden moment in Hockey’s history. It was all the efforts of the great Dhyan Chand who scored the most number of goals in the entire tournament and raised the bar for others to follow. Post 1947; the Indian Hockey team made a hat-trick of gold medals at the London, Helsinki and Melbourne.