National Symbols of India

National Flag:

The Indian tricolor flag has been designed in a view to promote the national feelings of the people that they had during the anti struggle movements against British. At the top, the saffron color lits up the tricolor flag which stands for bravery and sacrifice. In the middle, the white color along with a 28 stalks in the blue colored 'Ashokachakra' is represented as the symbols of truth and peace. The 'Ashokachakra' has been adopted from the Ashoka stupa in Saranath.

The ratio of the length and breath of our flag is 3:2. The national flag has been alloted to be made in 9 different formats. The smallest template that can hold the national flag is 150mm X 100mm and the largest template is 6300mm X 4200mm. The national flag of India was designed by Pinkali Venkaiyya.

National Emblem:

The national symbol has been ideologically represented by the lionmark in the Ashoka stupa in Saranath. There are four lions in it and the fourth one that lies at the back is not visible in pictures. Beneath the four lions, there lies an 'Ashokachakra' and side to side the pictures of oxes and horses.

The line 'Satyameva Jayate', which means 'Truth alone Triumphs', was taken from the Mundakopanishad. The national symbol was approved on 1950 January 26.

National Animal:

The Royal Bengal Tiger is said to be the national animal of India. It was lion who was made the national animal earlier. It was the rising endangerment rate of the tigers that forced the government of India to give approval for this action. The government also introduced “Project Tiger” in order to save the tigers from extinction. It was established in the year 1973 and today there has been 23 tiger reserves functioning as a part of it.

National Bird:

The scientific name of our national bird peacock is 'Pavo Cristates'. The peacock has been regarded as one of the most important species in Hindu myths and rituals. The endangerment of peacock has forced the government to implement the Wildlife Act of 1972 which ultimately protects the wildlife wealth of India.

National Flower:

 
The lotus being a hydrophyte is seen in different colours. The beauty of the flowers and the relevant position of it in rituals are well considered from olden days. The scientific name of lotus is 'Nilembo Nucifera'.

National Tree:

The baniyan tree grows at an average height of 30 m from the ground. It is also known as Pipal, 'Bodhivriksham' and 'Dharmavriksham'. It is mainly seen in the tropical forests of India. The scientific name of the tree is' Ficus Bangalansis'.

National Fruit:

 It is believed that the cultivation of mango was first started in India. There are more than 500 varieties of mangoes in India. The scientific name of mango is 'Magnifera Indica'.

National Fish:

 
 King Mackerel is known as 'Seer Fish' in English. It is mainly seen in Indian Ocean and Atlantic Ocean.

National River:

The river Ganga was proclaimed as the national river of India on November 4 2008. The river Ganga originates from the Himalyan glacier due to the merging of the rivers Alakananda and Bharirathi. The cities such as Rishikesh, Varanasi, Haridwar and Allahabad lies in the confluence of the river Ganga.

National Calendar:

Shakavarsham was declared as the official calendar of India on 1957 March 22 (1879 Chaitram 1). The months of this calendar are Chairam, Vaishakam, Jyeshtam, Aashatam, Shraavanam, Bhadram, Ashwinam, Karthikam, Margasheersham, Pausham, Maagham, and Falgunam. In years apart from leap year, the calendar starts from March 22 (Chaitram 1) and in leap year, it starts from March 21. It was Kanishka who established Shakavarsham calendar in A.D. 78.

National Anthem:

The national anthem of India is the first stanza of the poem written by Rabindranath Tagore starting with 'Jana-Gana-Mana'. There are five stanzas in total for this poem. The national anthem was first sung at the Kolkota Congress. It was approved as the national anthem of India on January 24, 1950. It takes 52 seconds to sing the anthem.

National Song:

The national song of India was adopted from the novel 'Anandmath' written by Bankimchandra Chatterjee. It was first sung at the Indian National Congress conference in the year 1896. The song which filled the freedom fighters with immense amount of energy was translated into English by Arabindo Ghosh.

National Art form:

 


The national art form of India is Bharathnatyam. This dance form originated in Tamil Nadu and is also known as 'Moving Poetry'.

National Water Animal:

 
The national water animal of India is Ganga Dolphin. It has been facing the threat of extinction and therefore was declared as the national water animal on 2009 October 5. The scientific name of it is 'Platanista Gangetica'.

National Heritage animal:

 
The number of animals in India is decreasing year by year. So the protection of elephants was necessary. So a 12 member committee was formed and according to their decision elephant was made the national heritage animal.

National Sports:

Hockey which is known as the national game of India is played between two teams each constituting of 11 members. The ball used for the play weighs about 155 gm and the stick used is approximately 91 cm long. India celebrates National Sports Day on August 29 in the memoir of the great Hockey wizard, Dhyan Chand. Hockey was made an event in olympics from the year 1908.