Each country is characterized by its symbols reflecting the history, the culture, the philosophy, and the values. These icons serve as great symbolic displays of unity, pride and identity to the citizens. In India the national emblem of India is the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath which was proclaimed to be the official emblem of the Republic of India on January 26, 1950, the day India was declared a republic. The idea of the national symbols in India is not linked to the emblem only, though. There are a number of established national symbols of India which comprise the national flag, its national anthem, the national bird, national animal and the national flower. All these have their significance and emphasize the rich Indian history and culture.
Speaking of the concept of national symbol of India, one would refer to the State Emblem of India, the Lion capital of Ashoka, but, to perceive the symbolic identity of India in its full persona, one would have to look at all the national symbols altogether. These signs are not only the symbols of India in the country, but also in the world and create a sense of unity in diversity.
The Ashoka lion capital is the State Emblem.
The Lion Capital of Ashoka is set to be the official national symbol of India after it was originally constructed by the emperor Ashoka in the Mauryan dynasty in the year 250 BCE at Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh. It is made of four Asiatic lions one standing behind each other on a circular abacus that represents power, courage, pride, and confidence. The abacus has the sculptures of a bull, horse, elephant, and lion divided by wheel called Ashoka Chakras. Below this symbol is the text Satyameva Jayate in Devanagari script which translates to Truth Alone Triumphs based on the Mundaka Upanishad.
It is the most ubiquitous symbol of Indian identity as it appears printed on Indian currency, government, passports and is used by the central government and state governments.
| Feature of Emblem | Description | Meaning |
| Four Lions | Back-to-back lions | Power, courage, confidence |
| Abacus Animals | Bull, Horse, Lion, Elephant | Represent stages of life and strength |
| Ashoka Chakra | Dharma wheel | Law, justice, progress |
| Motto | “Satyameva Jayate” | Truth alone triumphs |
The Lion Capital can be considered a reminder of the ancient history of India and modern democratic values, and such is the central national symbol of India.
The National Flag of India
The other significant symbol of the country is the Tiranga (Tricolor) together with the emblem. It bears three horizontal stripes whereby the top one is saffron; the middle white and the bottom one green. The navy blue Ashoka Chakra having 24 spokes is in the white stripe. The flag symbolizes the freedom struggle in India and India ideals. Saffron is a symbol of bravery and sacrifice, white is a symbol of peace and truth and green is a symbol of growth and prosperity.
| Color/Feature | Representation |
| Saffron | Courage and sacrifice |
| White | Truth and peace |
| Green | Growth and prosperity |
| Ashoka Chakra | Eternal law of dharma |
The flag is raised during independence day and Republic day which makes it a powerful visual representation of Indian unity.
Natural Animal, Bird and Flower.
The symbols describe wildlife and nature as well in India. The national animal of India is Royal Bengal Tiger and it was chosen due to its strength, elegance and might. It is an expression of the richness of wildlife in India and conservation. The national bird is the Indian Peacock which is valued due to its beauty and color feathers and also because of the association with the mythology. Lotus is the national flower which represents purity and knowledge and spiritualism because they are well raised above muddy waters.
| Symbol | Identity | Meaning |
| National Animal | Royal Bengal Tiger | Strength, power, pride |
| National Bird | Indian Peacock | Beauty, spirituality |
| National Flower | Lotus | Purity, knowledge |
These symbols of nature demonstrate how the environment of India is closely intertwined with the cultural identity.
The National Anthem and Song
There is also the symbolic representation of India by music. As the focus is put on the unity in diversity, the national anthem is named Jana Gana Mana, and it was composed by Rabindranath Tagore, where he used names of the regions in India, and it is used to indicate national soul. The national song vande mataram written by bankim chandra chattopadhyay is also important since they feel patriotic and in love with the motherland. They are both practiced during official ceremonies, schools and events involving people, which enhances the feeling of belonging to India.
Other National Recognized Indigenous Indian Symbols.
India has also siluted a few other symbols that depict its heritage, culture and values. These are Mango as a national fruit, which symbolizes cultural richness and sweetness, Banayan as a national tree, which symbolizes longevity and endurance and River Ganga as a national river, which is a symbol of life and spirituality. All these contribute to the general identity of India.
| Symbol | Representation | Meaning |
| National Fruit | Mango | Sweetness, cultural pride |
| National Tree | Banyan Tree | Longevity, eternal life |
| National River | Ganga | Purity, spirituality |
| National Currency | Indian Rupee (₹) | Economic identity |
India is able to establish a cohesive narrative that incorporates nature, culture and history by identifying such symbols.
The Indian Identity of National Symbols.
National symbols are not mere ornamental symbols. They have both emotional and cultural strength. The sight of the flag, hearing the anthem, or the sight of the emblem makes the Indian citizens feel stronger and they feel pride and responsibility. These are symbols that are recognized all over the world and they define the Indian cultural identity. The symbols are also useful in education where the children learn the values and philosophies that are embedded in them.
National Symbol of India Frequently Asked questions.
What is the official national symbol of India?
Its official emblem is the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath which was introduced in 1950.
What is meant by Satyameva Jayate?
It translates to Truth alone triumphs and is put below the emblem.
What is the meaning of the Indian national flag?
It symbolizes bravery (saffron), calmness (white), prosperity (green) and the unchanging truth of the nature of dharma (Ashoka Chakra).
What is the national animal, bird and flower of India?
The royal Bengal tiger is the national animal, the bird is the peacock and the flower is the lotus.
So why are national symbols important?
They symbolize togetherness, culture, history and values that establish common identity to citizens.
India has a national symbol which is the Lion Capital of Ashoka that is the official symbol and symbolizes power, truth and justice. Along with it, there is the national flag, anthem, animal, bird, flower, and the others that make a national identity which bonds the people of India, who are otherwise different in many ways. They are not just symbols, they are depicted by history, culture, spirituality and values which have been driving India throughout centuries. Indians do not just look at their symbols but when they do so they get to see a mirror of their common struggle, success, and hopes.