I am sure that most of the inhabitants of our country are familiar with most of the state symbols. We will not undertake to check your knowledge - it is better to do it yourself.
STATE SYMBOLS OF RUSSIA
The state symbols of any country include the emblem, flag and anthem. This triad did not appear immediately. It was only in the 20th century that an obligatory tradition was established all over the world - each country had its own coat of arms, flag and anthem.
Residents of different countries are rightfully proud of their symbols. The attitude to the coat of arms, the flag and the anthem is the attitude to the state itself. And it must be respectful.
The symbols of our Motherland are more than one hundred years old.
The first state emblem appeared at the end of the 15th century, the first flag - in the 18th century, and the first anthem - in the 19th century. But more on that later.
MOSCOW IS CAPITAL OF RUSSIA
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THE KREMLIN IS A SYMBOL OF MOSCOW
The Moscow Kremlin is called the heart of Moscow. It is located on the banks of the Moskva River, in the very center of the city. The Kremlin is a symbol of Moscow, a magnificent ensemble that unites architectural monuments different eras, fenced with brick walls, over which rise 20 towers. The Kremlin houses government agencies, ancient palaces and temples. You can walk along the Kremlin walls. By the way, once it was almost blown up - you can find out more
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RED SQUARE - A SYMBOL OF MOSCOW
Red Square is the main square in Russia. Military parades and the main celebrations of the country are held here. On Red Square there is a mass interesting monuments culture and attractions. The most famous of them are the Mausoleum of V.I. Lenin, Lobnoye Mesto, St. Basil's Cathedral, as well as the Upper and Middle malls, Kazan Cathedral. In addition, the Moscow Kremlin is located to the west.
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ST. BASIL'S CATHEDRAL
Church of the Intercession Mother of God(St. Basil's Cathedral) - the main temple of Red Square and all of Moscow. It was built in the middle of the 16th century by decree of Tsar Ivan the Terrible in honor of the capture of the Kazan Khanate - part of the former Golden Horde. Previously, we have already devoted a large and interesting article Cathedral - read it
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EMBLEM OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW.
The word "coat of arms" came into the Russian language in the 16th - 17th centuries. It is based on the German erbe, which means "inheritance". So already in the word itself one of the important features of the coat of arms is laid - stability, constancy in use.
The state emblem testifies to the sovereignty of the country, the family coat of arms - about the belonging of its owner to a certain class. The coat of arms can indicate land holdings, like many family coats of arms of the Middle Ages, serve as a means of certifying its owner. Therefore, the coat of arms, as a rule, is officially approved by the highest authority.
Where did the emblem of the double-headed eagle come from in Rus'?
Initially, historians thought that Rus' borrowed it from Byzantium. Like a sign imperial court the double-headed eagle adorned fabrics, clothes and shoes of emperors and courtiers. This emblem gained particular popularity under the emperors of the Palaiologos dynasty. Perhaps the double-headed eagle was their family emblem. His image can be seen on the handwritten Gospel that belonged to Dmitry Paleolog.
In Rome, the eagle has been revered since ancient times. According to legend, it was the eagle, this messenger of the gods, who predicted the acquisition of royal power by Tarquinius the Ancient. The prevalence of the emblem of the double-headed eagle in the Balkans led scientists to the idea that it was from this region that the eagle could get to Rus'. But, most interestingly, the double-headed eagle was also found in Rus' itself, and long before 1497. The double-headed eagle was intended to symbolize the power and independence of our country. In this capacity, he continued his history on Russian soil.
In the XVI - XVII centuries. in the Moscow kingdom, two state seals were used - Large and Small. They differed in size, the location of the emblems and inscriptions, but both images of a rider and a double-headed eagle were preserved. On Big state seal the rider was placed on the chest of a double-headed eagle. On the Small Seal, a rider and an eagle were depicted on two sides.
At the end of the 1530s. the double-headed eagle acquired a more warlike appearance, He began to be depicted with open beaks and protruding tongues. In heraldry, such an emblem is called an armed eagle.
armed eagle On the seal of False Dmitry I, the eagle is depicted with wings raised up, and above its heads there are two crowns, between which is a third, larger one. On the seals of Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich, the wings of the eagle fell, three crowns were placed above the heads of the eagle.
In the first half of the XIX century. the image of the Russian coat of arms has changed again. There were two types of state emblem. On the first, an eagle with spread wings held the Moscow coat of arms on its chest in a shield of an elegant, pointed shape. A crown was placed over the heads of the eagle. This eagle sometimes held in its paws - in one a bunch of lightning and a torch, and in the other - a laurel wreath. The second type of coat of arms is an eagle with raised wings, topped with three crowns. The shield with the Moscow coat of arms on its chest was framed by the chain of the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called. And on the wings of the eagle - 6 shields with the emblems of the most important lands, the name of which was included in the imperial title. The last change in the state emblem in the pre-revolutionary period took place in 1882-1883.
Alexander III accepted the Large, Medium and two Small coats of arms, made by the artist A. I. Charlemagne. Availability three types The state type of the coat of arms is explained by the fact that they were depicted on seals that fastened documents of different significance.
The revival of the Russian state led to the inevitable return of the original Russian symbols, so recklessly consigned to oblivion in Soviet period. The history of the creation of the coat of arms is huge. The symbols are nameless, they do not know the authorship, they are created by history itself.
In 1917, the eagle ceased to be the coat of arms of Russia. The return of the double-headed eagle to the emblem of Russia took place in 1993 by the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of October 30, 1993. The author of the sketch of the emblem is the artist of the State Heraldry under the President of the Russian Federation E.I. Ukhnalev.
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FLAG OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW.
The Russian flag owes its birth to the Russian fleet.
B 1667-1669 in the village of Dedinovo on the Oka, the first flotilla of Russia was built.
We had to choose a flag for the ship. The flag of a particular country showed that the ship belongs to her, is her territory. The flag served as the identification mark of the ship, and the state thus indicated that the ship was under its protection.
By that time, the leading maritime powers already had their own flags. All of them featured uncomplicated images and simple colors, as it was important that they be recognizable from afar. Usually the colors of the flag included two or three stripes. The colors of the stripes corresponded to the colors of the state or dynastic symbols of the country.
It is from maritime flags that many state flags originate.
In April 1668, Russian ships were ordered to issue a large number of matter of white, blue and red, but how exactly these colors were located on the first Russian flags is not known.
Some researchers believe that the flag consisted of four parts. The blue cross divided the cloth vertically and horizontally, while the white and red colors were staggered. There was a red border along the edges of the cloth.
In 1699, Peter I gave the maritime flag the status of the state flag - the main symbol of the country.
In November 1990, the commission, which was to develop a draft of the new flag of the RSFSR, proposed to restore the historical Russian flag - a white-blue-red flag.
On December 11, 1993, on the eve of the adoption of the new Constitution, the President of Russia signed a decree “On the State Flag Russian Federation". In accordance with it, white, blue and red colors of the flag were established.
The Russian tricolor probably originated from the Dutch model. Red, the color of blood, as it were, denoted the earthly world, blue - celestial sphere, white - divine light. Red was considered a symbol of courage and courage, and was also synonymous with beauty. The blue color was the symbol of the Mother of God. White color personified peace, purity, nobility.
August 22 - Day of the State Flag of the Russian Federation.
The national flag of the Russian Federation is constantly raised on the buildings of the authorities of our country. It is hung out on public holidays and solemn ceremonies. It rises on the buildings of Russian diplomatic missions abroad. The flag is our sacred object, and we must treat it with respect and reverence.
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ANTHEM OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW.
The national anthem of Russia - the official state symbol of Russia - is performed on the most solemn occasions, during official ceremonies state importance. Hymns as solemn cult chants originated in ancient times. In Russia before the 17th century solemn ceremonies accompanied by church hymns.
« Anthem - word Greek origin, it means “a solemn, laudatory song.” The anthem is of great importance for its people both in the past and in the present.
Since the time of Peter I, military marches have occupied a special place. And it has become a common tradition to have a national anthem in the last 200 years. In December 2000, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed adopting the "old" Soviet anthem to Alexandrov's music.
The first official national anthem appeared after the victory of Russian arms over the Napoleonic army.
In 1813 in St. Petersburg to the melody of the English anthem "God Save the King/Queen!" performed for the first time "Song to the Russian Tsar", the author of which was famous poet, translator, philologist A. Kh. Vostokov. In 1815, a new text of the song appeared under the title "Prayer of the Russians":
God save the king!
Glorious long days
Give it to the earth!….
V.A. Zhukovsky. After 2 years, Zhukovsky supplemented the text with two stanzas, and the final form of the hymn acquired in 1833, thanks to the officer and composer A.F. Lvov. The anthem of Lvov sounded everywhere - both in the army and during civil celebrations. It became the national anthem of the Russian Empire.
Russia knew a few more tunes that became its unofficial anthems. One of them belongs to the genius of Russian music M.I. Glinka, the author of the opera “Life for the Tsar”:
Glory, glory, our Russian Tsar,
The Lord has given us the king-sovereign!….
In February 1917, along with the monarchy, the old anthem also became a thing of the past. Quite different songs sounded on the streets, and the main place among them was taken by “La Marseillaise”.
The anthem is the official state symbol. He is, as it were, the musical and poetic embodiment of the country and its people, and therefore there should be the most respectful attitude towards him.
These symbols are part of Russian history, the embodiment of its heroic and tragic pages, a reflection of the life of the peoples of our country.
- We all should know the history of the state symbols of Russia well.
- Attitude to the coat of arms, flag and anthem is the attitude to the state itself. It must be respectful.
- Insulting state symbols is akin to insulting the state, and its people, and its history and culture.
Every country in the world has such national attributes as a flag, an anthem and a seal. And the United States is no exception. Symbols of the USA, Symbols of the USA are the subject of many articles and books. But what are the main facts about them you need to know?
US flag or "stars and stripes"
Government offices, streets decorated with flags in different countries most often seen on holidays or on their eve. In America, flags are always hung, and not only on state institutions, but also on the homes of ordinary citizens. A large number of American flags is the first thing you notice when traveling around the states.
The American flag - the tricolor - is represented by three colors: white, red and blue. These colors have deep meaning: red symbolizes courage and valor, while white symbolizes innocence and purity, and blue symbolizes justice, perseverance and vigilance. The banner is decorated with 13 stripes - 13 British colonies, which formed the state. The asterisks on the flag, there are 50 of them, represent the 50 states included in the this moment into the USA.
The flag has many various interpretations, one of them belongs to J. Washington, and it says the following: “We took the stars from Heaven; red color meant the country from which we sailed; white stripes on red is a symbol that we have separated from it, and the stripes will have to symbolize the freedom of future generations.
The flag of the United States is also called the Stars and Stripes, Old Glory, and The Star-Spangled Banner.
Two sides of the Great Seal of the United States
This seal serves as a tool to verify the authenticity of US government documents. The Great Seal of the United States is featured on the back of the one dollar bill. On the left side of the banknote you can see the image of the reverse side of the seal, and on the right - the front side.
Although seals usually have only one side, the Great Seal of the United States has two. The front part is considered the coat of arms of America. The obverse of the US coat of arms is a bald eagle, the symbol of the United States, holding 13 arrows and an olive branch with the same number of leaves and olives. Thus, the eagle announces to the world that the United States calls for peace, but is also ready for war.
The reverse side of the great seal is also fraught with deep meaning. Sometimes it is even called spiritual. It is represented by a pyramid with 13 steps and the year 1776 at the foot, which is written in Roman numerals. Above the top of the pyramid is the Eye of Providence and the motto on Latin"Annuit Coeptis", which means "It favors our undertakings." Beneath the pyramid lies a scroll with the following saying: New order for all ages." This seal is kept by the Secretary of State, and it is placed only on presidential addresses and international agreements.
The word "seal" in English sounds like "stamp, seal", and the Great Seal of the United States is "Great Seal of the United States".
US national anthem
The text for the American anthem was Francis Scott Key's poem "The Defense of Fort McHenry". This poem was written after the writer witnessed the shelling of the fortress during the Anglo-American War of 1812-1815. In their anthem, called "The Star-Spangled Banner," the American people sing about the flag. The song was officially considered an anthem only from 1931, and before that the United States did not have an anthem.
The word "hymn" in English means "church anthem", and the national anthem is "national anthem".
Feathered symbol of America
Among the symbols of the United States there are also representatives of the animal world - an eagle, or rather a bald eagle, which in English is called "bald eagle". This national bird (national bird) is depicted on the coat of arms, banknotes and various official documents. The Great Seal of the United States is also decorated with an eagle.
In America, there are laws that prohibit the killing of a bird without permission.
American mottos
The phrase "In God We Trust", which translates as "In God we trust" is the official motto of the United States (national motto). It is printed on all paper banknotes of the country. Sometimes the phrase becomes the cause of controversy among Americans. The fact is that freedom of religion is a very important aspect for every inhabitant of America. It is even mentioned in the US Constitution. One can profess any religion, or profess no religion at all.
Another well-known motto of the American people is “E Pluribus Unum”, which in Latin means “Out of many, one”. This motto is placed on the coat of arms of the United States and the Benfica football club (Lisbon). The quote belongs to Cicero (speech "On virtues"). The phrase consists of 13 letters - the original number of states that at one time formed a union, now known as the United States of America. Today, the motto is interpreted as the unity of the nation, which once consisted of many nationalities that arrived in America. The expression "E pluribus unum" can be seen on all US coins.
Other US symbols
The state symbols of the United States are also the Liberty Bell, which rang at the time of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, a gray-haired man with a beard in a top hat and clothes of national colors - "Uncle Sam", who has become a stable American symbol. For example, the phrase “need something for Uncle Sam” means that something is needed for the United States.
Buildings are symbols of the USA national importance: the well-known Statue of Liberty, the White House, as presidential residence, Capitol (United States Capitol) - personifying parliamentary power, the building of the Supreme Court in Washington, the memorials of George Washington, Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson, Independence Hall and Mount Rushmore Arlington National Cemetery.
The peculiar symbols include those beloved by American citizens sport games: baseball and American football, hamburgers and hot dogs, apple pie, bourbon (a type of whiskey), as well as Disneyland, Hollywood movie studios, Las Vegas lights and Niagara Falls.
Words related to national symbols
- Patriotism - patriotism.
- National colors - national colors, this phrase is also translated as a national flag.
- Motherland/Homeland/Native - land.
- National myths - national myths.
- Coat of arms, coat of arms - coat of arms.
- Folk costume - folk costume.
- Folk dance - folk dance.
- The national animal is the national animal.
- National tree - national tree - oak - oak.
- National flower - national flower - rose - rose.
Anyone who is studying English in depth and plans to further education in the United States or plans to become a citizen of the American state, you need to know all the above facts.
Millions of foreign tourists come to Russia every year. They go to see the homeland of Pushkin and Dostoevsky, admire the Russian ballet and make sure that bears walk on Red Square.
Those who are not attracted by the northern expanses also have their own opinion about our country. They are watching the events sitting on the couch, turning on the TV, and probably without much difficulty they will be able to distinguish the flag of our country from the Union Jack. In this article, we have collected official and unofficial symbols Russia, which are often called by foreigners.
Official symbols of Russia
Coat of arms, flag and anthem are the official symbols of any modern state. They are fixed at the legislative level and personify the identity of the country. Not a single victory of our athletes or a summit meeting can do without them. 
The coat of arms of the state is a distinctive sign, an emblem that depicts objects national pride. The double-headed eagle on the coat of arms of Russia appeared in the Middle Ages. Ivan III married Byzantine princess Sophia, took her family coat of arms, hoping that this gesture would strengthen the position of our country, emphasizing the transfer of power to the fallen Byzantium Russian state.
The Russian flag consists of white, blue and red horizontal stripes. The first flags of Ancient Rus' were military banners. They most often met red colors, as the most solemn and beautiful.
At the end of the 17th century, white, blue and red were recognized as the state colors of Russia, and in the Petrine period the current order of the stripes on the flag was also determined. According to legend, it was difficult for sailors to remember the order of flowers, for which they were mercilessly flogged with rods. To avoid punishment, resourceful sailors came up with a word to remember - "besik" - it is impossible to confuse colors with it.
Since then, the colors of the national flag of Russia have periodically changed. Last time From 1917 to 1989, the symbol of the Soviet state was the red flag, the color of which personified the blood shed by the fighters for a brighter future. On August 24, 1991, the tricolor flag flew over the Kremlin immediately after the decision of the Extraordinary Session Supreme Council RSFSR on recognizing it as a state.
Hymn. “Russia is our sacred power…” - these words, sounding at the most solemn moments, belong to Sergei Mikhalkov (the one who wrote “Uncle Styopa”) and Gabriel El-Registan. The test was set to music by Alexander Alexandrov.
Anthem of Russia (rock version). Beautiful video
Until the 18th century, the religious theme of chants dominated in Russia, and only during the time of Peter the Great did secular music. The first official anthem was "Prayer of the Russians", the author was the poet V.A. Zhukovsky.
International - unofficial anthem young country of the Soviets
Unofficial symbols of Russia
In addition to state symbols, there are also so-called unofficial symbols - what Russia is associated with in the minds of its citizens and foreigners:People who glorified our country;
Famous places;
Great achievements;
Natural monuments: high mountains, full-flowing rivers, huge lakes;
household items;
Toys, musical instruments, clothes;
Plants and animals.
about some of the most popular symbols countries will be discussed below.
Why is birch a symbol of Russia?
There are many birches in Russia. They became a part of the life of a Russian person: in the summer they sheltered from the sun, and in the winter they gave fire to warm the peasant huts. Birch bast was used for weaving bast shoes and tueski, the first records were made on birch bark. 
Since ancient times, this tree has been endowed with special properties, considering it a symbol of purity and femininity. Our ancestors believed that not only girls, but also mermaids could not pass by the beauty of birch groves, gathering in such places to dance.
With the baptism of Rus', birch became associated with church holiday Trinity. Temples and dwellings were decorated with young branches.
“A white birch under my window…” - the heartfelt words of Sergei Yesenin, especially revered among emigrants who yearned for their homeland, forever erected this tree on the pedestal of the main symbols of Russia.
Red Square
Red Square is the heart of our state and the center of Moscow - one of the largest cities in Russia. Many pass here important events: Victory Parade, concerts on occasion significant dates, and here is the "altar of Russia" - this is how Mikhail Lermontov called the Moscow Kremlin. 
The architectural ensemble of the main square of the country, a bizarre mixture of buildings from different eras, organically illustrates the history of Russia. Its decoration - St. Basil's Cathedral - one of the most famous Orthodox churches in our country. It was erected in the middle of the 16th century on the occasion of the capture of Kazan.
Basil's Cathedral - a symbol of Russia
The Diamond Fund is the most popular museum in the Kremlin. It presents unique gems, gold nuggets, art objects, including the imperial scepter, small and large imperial crowns. These values were the official symbols of Tsarist Russia.
Matryoshka
This is the most famous wooden transformer doll in Russia. The name obviously comes from the Russian name Matrona, and the root of this word "mother" is not accidental. Foreigners affectionately call her "Babushka doll" with an emphasis on U. Matryoshka symbolizes motherhood, fertility, femininity. It appeared in the 19th century, the author is the artist Sergey Malyutin. 
In Japan, there is a similar toy - the figurine of the wise old man Fukurama, also consisting of several dolls nested one inside the other. She could be a prototype of the Russian matryoshka.
Russian troika
This is the name of an old horse team consisting of three horses. For the inhabitants of our country, the road has always had special meaning: endless expanses, long journeys in the winter ... All this is invariably associated with horses - faithful companions of wanderers. The way of movement in threes made it possible to overcome long distances at a fairly serious speed, about 50 km per hour. Such teams appeared 200 years ago, and since 1840 they began to organize triplets competitions. 
The number "three" also had a sacred meaning for the Russian people: the holiday of the Trinity, the proverb "God loves the Trinity", three heroes, three wishes that a goldfish fulfills.
Balalaika
This favorite musical instrument of the Russian people is made in the form of a triangle with a fingerboard and has 3 strings. Exists for over 200 years. Modern look balalaika acquired thanks to the musician Vasily Andreev. 
Existing myth"In Russia, many have been playing the balalaika since childhood"
There is no consensus on the origin of the balalaika. Some researchers claim that the instrument has Tatar or Kyrgyz roots, others insist on its Slavic origin. The balalaika has always accompanied peasant holidays and moments of rest, they were masterfully played by buffoons.
Samovar
It entered the everyday life of the Russian people in the 19th century after the widespread use of tea. The symbol of a hospitable home and family comfort has become the hero of proverbs, sayings and songs. The Urals is considered its homeland. In Zarechye in 1778, the Lisitsin brothers made the first samovar, and then they organized a factory for their production. 
It is known that at the wedding of Sergei Yesenin and Isadora Duncan, there were samovars on the tables, from which they drank not tea, but cognac. Such a props was associated with the prohibition law in force at that time in the United States, which prohibited the import and consumption of alcoholic beverages.
From bast shoes to earflaps
Speaking about the symbols of Russia, it is impossible not to mention the items of national clothing. Bast shoes are a common version of peasant shoes. They were made from wood bast or birch bark. The peasants were poor and such cheap, but very short-lived shoes became a symbol of poverty and illiteracy of the people. From here to all famous proverbs and expressions: “bast shoes” (about a simpleton), “we don’t slurp soup with bast shoes”. 
boots - winter version warm and comfortable felt shoes, a symbol of the ingenuity of the Russian people. They are first mentioned in the Tale of Igor's Campaign.
Ushanka is a warm hat. It is believed that in Russian everyday life it appeared thanks to the Mongols, who protected themselves from cold winds with sheepskin hats. They were called Malachai.
Kokoshnik - a headdress in the form of a fan over the head. Usually women wore it for holidays. Known since the ancient Rus', was in everyday life of all classes. IN modern Russia- a mandatory attribute of the Snow Maiden costume.
What else do foreigners associate Russia with?
If you ask any foreigner what Russia is associated with in his mind, then it is very likely that you will hear:Two troubles. Many people in Russia and abroad know the country's two main troubles: roads and fools. And if fools are from the realm of jokes, then the situation with the roads in Russia is really not the most favorable situation.
Each country has its own national plant and its own national flower. It partly reflects the culture and tells about the history of the state, presenting it to the outside world.
The concept of "national flower" is very ancient: it originated before the state flags were established in most countries. Then the national flower played still big role, being a symbol, a sign distinguishing for a certain people. But even now, flowers have not completely lost their roles in international arena and are often the "logos" of their countries.
Here are some "national flowers".
There lived an old poor woman in China with her son. They endured hardship and deprivation. One day the mother scraped together a handful of rice to cook her son's dinner. Suddenly a traveler knocked on the door and asked for food. The good woman gave him last pic and cried - now she had nothing to feed her son. This traveler was a water god. He decided to thank the woman and rushed into the pond, located nearby. And in the morning a delicate flower grew by the pond. Since then, the daffodil has been a symbol of gratitude in China.
Narcissus blooms during the Chinese New Year, so in China it has become a symbol of joy, good luck and a happy marriage. His presence is mandatory in every home on New Year's holiday.
IN Christian symbolism the red rose was a symbol of martyrdom, while the white rose was a symbol of innocence. There is an order of the Knights of the Rose and Cross, and the war of the Yorks and Lancasters of 1455-1485. was called the War of the Scarlet and White Roses.
Two states immediately elected their national plant Tulip - Türkiye and the Netherlands.
Despite the fact that today the tulip is the symbol of the Netherlands, its homeland lies thousands of miles away, far to the east. For the first time, the beauty of tulips was appreciated in Turkey.
Even the name of this flower "tulip" comes from the Turkish word, which in translation means "turban", "turban".
It used to grow only in the gardens of the very wealthy people of the East. But then the travelers brought this flower to Europe, where they loved it so much that they began to value it worth its weight in gold. The prices for these flowers were simply astronomical. For example, one bulb of a rare variety could buy a house in Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands. The country of tulips is called the state of the Netherlands, because the gardeners of this country. produce the finest tulips in the world.
The tulip appeared here only in 1634, and at first its cultivation was of a completely commercial nature. Noticing the fascination with this flower of the Germans and other peoples, the prudent Dutch began to breed it in as many new varieties as possible, and the trade in its bulbs turned out to be so profitable that soon even people who had very little to do with gardening began to engage in it. not the entire population.
One passionate lover purchased for huge price the only, according to the seller, copy of the tulip, and, returning home, he learned that another similar copy still exists in Haarlem. Beside himself with grief, he hurries to Haarlem, buys this second copy for crazy money, throws it on the ground and, trampling it with his feet, exclaims triumphantly: “Well, now my tulip is the only one in the world!”
The Dutch princess Juliana once presented Ottawa (Canada) with one hundred thousand bulbs of this flower as a token of gratitude for the fact that during the Second World War The Royal Family The Netherlands found refuge in the capital of Canada. And also in recognition of the merits of this country in the liberation of its homeland.
A hundred years ago, cornflower necessarily accompanied the magnificent feasts of the Germans. This flower was the favorite flower of Emperor Wilhelm I and his mother, Queen Louise. There are many stories that the cornflower was a happy omen for the royal Prussian house.
Here is one of them.
They say that at one court ball given involuntarily by the unfortunate royal couple to Emperor Napoleon and his generals, Queen Louise appeared without any precious jewelry, only with a wreath of cornflowers on her head. And when the French began to make jokes about this, the queen remarked: “Yes, gentlemen, all our precious things are partly looted, partly sold, in order to help the needs of our devastated country in any way; and our fields are so trampled by you that even a wild flower is now a great rarity.
The winners could not find what to answer to this, and fell silent. Many years passed, and Queen Louise's premonitions came true. Cornflower did not deceive her. The royal family, which was in exile and oppression, was restored in its rights, and Princess Charlotte, having married Emperor Nicholas I, from a small, insignificant princess became a powerful All-Russian Empress.
And so, when the empress, many years later, once passed through Koenigsberg, the inhabitants of this city, wanting to please her and remind her of the time she lived in its vicinity, arranged for her a solemn meeting, in which cornflowers played an outstanding role. The most beautiful of the girls brought her a wonderful basket of these flowers, and the rest threw cornflowers on the ground and littered her path with them. The Empress was moved to tears by this cordial reception and expressed her deep gratitude for the fact that the Königsbergers chose a cornflower so dear to her for her meeting.
The orchid blooms all year round, therefore it was chosen by many countries as a symbol of the country's inhabitants' desire for development.
The prickly thistle is very revered by the Scots. This plant is told in an old Scottish legend. Once an army of Danes secretly approached the castle where the Scottish kings lived. The Danish warriors took off their shoes so that none of the sentries could hear them. BUT in the darkness someone stepped on a thistle flower and screamed in pain. An alarm immediately arose in the castle, and the Scots defeated the enemy. Since then, the thistle has become a symbol of Scotland.
Its image is sacred, and according to state laws, only members of the imperial house enjoy the right to wear matter with its design. The rest, in case of violation of this law, are punishable by death. death penalty any attempt to depict this emblem of the Japanese empire and the symbol of imperial power is also punishable, and therefore the Japanese government sometimes even resorts to depicting it to prevent the counterfeiting of government banknotes.
The reason for such a high veneration by the Japanese of this flower is best explained by its very name: "kiku" (sun). He is their symbol of this luminary.
Among the peoples of the mountains, the edelweiss flower is a symbol of happiness and love, and there is even a very beautiful and sad legend about its origin. The ardent hearts of two lovers could not live without each other. But fate decreed otherwise - they had to part forever. The thought of the impending separation filled both of them with horror. The only way, as it seemed to them, to stay together forever is to die. A young man and a girl decided to die together by throwing themselves off a cliff than to live without each other. After their death, the rocks hid themselves as a sign of the solemn and sad victory of love over fate with the snow-white flowers of edelweiss...
Another legend tells how one hard-hearted beauty announced that she would marry only the one who would give her a bouquet of edelweiss. One by one, the young men went to the mountains for flowers and returned with nothing. But the beauty insisted on her own. A few years later, she received - after all, her bouquet of edelweiss from a young man, but he refused to marry her, because he saw an aged woman in front of him. Today, during the celebration of St. Patrick's Day, the shamrock is attached to clothing. But this did not happen right away. This custom was first mentioned in 1689. Until this year, the Irish wore St. Patrick's crosses on their chests. Until the 18th century, the custom of wearing a shamrock was considered vulgar. But gradually, as a result of the eventful history of the Irish people, the shamrock became a symbol of freedom and rebellious spirit.
The ancient Egyptians, noticing that this flower floated on the water and blossomed at sunset, and closed and plunged into it at sunrise, suggested that this phenomenon had some mysterious connection with the movement of heavenly bodies. This mysterious connection between the lotus flowers and the luminaries prompted the Egyptians to dedicate it to the sun god Osiris. As a result, Osiris was depicted with a lotus flower on his head. Lotus also decorated the heads and priests of these gods. Similarly, the kings of Egypt, as a sign of their divine origin they put these flowers on their heads, as well as the very emblem of their power - the royal scepter - was depicted in the form of a lotus flower with a stem. Finally, he was depicted, now in a bud, now blossoming, and on the state coin.
Are you planning to obtain US citizenship or a US residence permit? Preparing for a citizenship test and want to know a little more about the country? Or are you just curious about what Americans themselves associate America with? We have collected the main information you need to know about state symbols USA.
US state symbols
No country can do without a flag, anthem and seal. The USA is no exception. Many articles and books have been written about each of these three symbols of American nationhood. We will pay attention to the most basic facts that are important to know.
Symbols of the USA – Symbols of the USA
American flag
In America, flags hang on government offices, along roads, and on the homes of ordinary citizens. The first thing that catches the eye of tourists is a large number of American flags. But do not be surprised, they were not hung out for the holiday, this is their daily location.
The colors of the American flag, as well as the Russian one, are a well-known tricolor: white, red and blue. It is decorated with 13 stripes, symbolizing the British colonies that formed the state, and 50 stars, meaning 50 states that are currently part of the United States. If you are planning to take the US Citizenship Exam, you should definitely know the answer to this question.
The national flag of the United States - Flag of the United States. It can also be called "Stars and stripes", "Old Glory" and "The Star-Spangled Banner".
Great Seal of the United States
It is this seal that confirms the authenticity of documents issued by the US government. If you have ever paid attention to reverse side one dollar bill, they saw exactly what the Great Seal of the United States looks like. The reverse side of the seal is shown on the left side of this banknote, and the front side is shown on the right side. And yes, the Great Seal of the United States has two sides, although seals usually only have one. The obverse of this seal is often considered the coat of arms of the United States.
Printing - Stamp, seal
Great Seal of the United States - Great Seal of the United States 
US national anthem
The text for the US anthem is taken from the poem "The Defense of Fort McHenry" by Francis Scott Key. No wonder the Americans sing about the flag in their anthem. This poem was created after the writer witnessed the shelling of the fortress during the Anglo-American War of 1812-1815. The US anthem is called "The Star-Spangled Banner". The song became an anthem only in 1931, and before that the United States did not have a fixed anthem.
Church hymn - hymn
National anthem - Wikiwand National anthem
US national bird
The most important symbol of the United States (of the representatives of the animal world) is the eagle, only it bears little resemblance to ours. In fact, this is a bald eagle, but in English it is called “bald eagle”. It is this bird that appears on the coat of arms, banknotes and many official documents. The eagle is also depicted on the Great Seal of the United States. He holds 13 arrows in one paw and a palm branch in the other. This shows that the US "wants peace but is ready for war."
There are even laws in the United States that make it impossible to kill an American eagle without permission.
National bird - National bird
bald eagle 
American architectural symbols
Of course, certain American buildings and monuments are recognized by people around the world and have already become symbols of the United States: the Statue of Liberty, The White house or the Liberty Bell. Images of these items can be found not only on souvenirs for tourists, but also, for example, on postage stamps.
Each of these symbols has its own story. For example, the French gave the Statue of Liberty to the United States, and the Liberty Bell called the inhabitants of the city to the announcement of the Declaration of Independence. This bell can still be seen in the city of Philadelphia. The President of the United States still lives and works in the White House. It is this building that is depicted on the twenty-dollar bill.
Statue of Liberty – the Statue of Liberty
The White House – the White House
The Liberty Bell
United States intangible symbols
The phrase "In God We Trust" (In God we trust) is the official motto of the United States. This phrase is sometimes controversial among Americans. After all, freedom of religion is one of the most important things for every inhabitant of America. It is even enshrined in the US Constitution. You can follow any religion, or choose no religion. The phrase is printed on all American paper money.
The Americans have another motto, “E Pluribus Unum” (Out of many, one). This phrase can be seen on the US coat of arms.
In God we Trust - We trust in God
Official motto - National motto
Uncle Sam
Every American knows Uncle Sam. And no, this is not some popular movie actor. This is a humanized image of the United States. Remember, American posters often depict an elderly man in a top hat, blue tailcoat and striped pants? This is Uncle Sam. This image was especially famous thanks to the posters of the First World War.
Now the image of Uncle Sam is a stable American symbol. You can often hear, for example, that something is needed "for Uncle Sam." This phrase means that it is needed for the USA.
Uncle Sam - Uncle Sam 
Words in English on the topic of national symbols
national colors- national colors. Usually the colors that are on the flag are taken. So sometimes national colors are translated as the national flag.
national myths- national myths
coat of arms- coat of arms, coat of arms
Patriotism- patriotism
Motherland/Homeland/Native land- Motherland
folk costume- folk costume
folk dance- folk dance
national animal- national animal
national tree- national tree
Of course, there are many other American symbols as well. Some are very common, while others are very rare. American history is still very short, so everything that at least somehow relates to its creation is carefully preserved by the Americans and can even be considered a symbol of the country.
Shutikova Anna
