National Symbols of India & their meanings

Basis

Image

National Symbol

Significance

1. National Flag

Tiranga

The national flag of India is made of three colours having three stripes of equal length:

1. Saffron at the top

2. White in the middle 

3. Green at the bottom.

4. Ashok chakra, which is navy blue with 24 spokes depicting 24 hours. 

Pingali Venkayya designed it. 

2. National Emblem

National Emblem of India

The lion capital of Ashoka at Sarnath was adopted as the national emblem of India on 26 January 1950. The motto inscribed below the national emblem is Satyamev Jayate in Devnagri script, which means truth alone triumphs.

3. National Currency

Indian Rupees

The national currency of India is the rupee or INR. The circulation of currency is monitored by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI, established in 1935). Udayakumar Dharmalingam created the Indian rupee.

4. National Calendar

Saka Calendar

The national calendar of India is known as Shalivahana Shaka Calendar, used with the Gregorian calendar by the Gazette of India. All India Radio and GOI's calendars also follow India's national calendar.

5. Oath of Allegiance

National Pledge

The oath of allegiance of India is the national pledge. Indians recite it at public events, schools, or Independence Day and Republic Day celebrations. 

6.  National River

Ganga

The national river of India is the Ganga. Ganga is worshipped as the goddess Ganga in India under Hinduism, which has immense significance in Indian history.

7. National Heritage Animal

Indian Elephant

The national heritage animal of India is the elephant. The Indian elephant is also listed as an endangered animal by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

8. National Animal

Royal Bengal Tiger

The subspecies of tigers are called Royal Bengal tigers. In 1973, the Royal Bengal tiger was declared India's national animal & Nagpur is known as the tiger capital of India. 

Tigers are added to the red list by the IUCN. 

9. National Bird

Indian Peacock

The national bird of India is the Indian peacock, as declared in 1963 by the GOI. It is an indigenous bird found in the subcontinent, representing the unity of various colours & cultures found in India. 

11.   National Song

Vande Mataram

India's national song is Vande Mataram, a poem by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee. Rabindranath first sang this poem in 1896 at the session of the Indian National Congress. This song was adopted as the national song of India on 24 January 1950, 

12.   National Anthem

Jana Gana Mana

The National anthem of India is Jana Gana Mana, originally composed as Bharata Bhagyo Bidhata in Bengali by Rabindranath Tagore. On 24 January 1950, the Bharoto Bhagyo Bidhata was adopted as India's national anthem.

13.   National Aquatic Animal

Ganges River Dolphin

The national aquatic animal of India is the Ganges River dolphin. It is an endangered freshwater dolphin divided into two subspecies:

1. The Ganges River dolphin 

2. The Indus River dolphin.

14.   National Vegetable

Pumpkin

The national vegetable of India is the pumpkin. A winter squash that is round with smooth and ribbed skin, which is yellow. It grows throughout India and doesn't have many soil requirements to increase. 

15.   National Fruit

Mango

The national fruit of India is mango (King of fruits), which is generally found in the summer seasons. More than 100 varieties of mangoes are found in India.

16.   National Flower

Lotus

The national flower of India is Lotus, which occupies a unique position in the field of art and mythology of India. It is recognised as an auspicious symbol of Indian culture and heritage.