The national flag of the United States of AmericaThe national flag of the United States of America
(the American flag)
consists of thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red
(top and bottom)
alternating with white, with a blue rectangle in the canton
(referred to specifically as the "union")
bearing fifty small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars
(top and bottom)
alternating with rows of five stars.
The fifty stars on the flag represent the 50 states and the 13 stripes represent the original thirteen colonies that rebelled against the British monarchy and became the first states in the Union.
Nicknames for the flag include the Stars and Stripes,
Old Glory,
and
The Star-Spangled Banner
(also the name of the national anthem).
Common unofficial national symbols
A symbol is something such as an object,
picture,
written word,
sound,
or
particular mark that represents something else by association,
resemblance,
or
convention.
For example,
a
red octagon may be a symbol for
"STOP".
On maps,
crossed sabres
may indicate a battlefield.
Numerals are symbols for numbers (amounts).
All language consists of symbols.
Personal names are symbols representing individuals.
orparticular mark that represents something else by association,
resemblance,
or
convention.
For example,
a
red octagon may be a symbol for
"STOP".
On maps,
crossed sabres
may indicate a battlefield.
Numerals are symbols for numbers (amounts).
All language consists of symbols.
Personal names are symbols representing individuals.
A symbol's meaning may be modified by various factors including popular usage, history, and contextual intent.
Historical meaning
This history of a symbol is one of many factors in determining a particular symbol's apparent meaning.
Old symbols become reinterpreted, due perhaps to environmental changes. Consequently, symbols with emotive power carry problems analogous to false etymologies.
For example,
the
Rebel Flag of the American South
predates
the
American Civil War.
An early variant of the crossed bars resembled the Scottish Flag.
Juxtaposition
Juxtaposition further complicates the matter.
Similar five–
pointed stars might signify a law enforcement officer or a member of the armed services, depending the uniform.
A national symbol is a symbol of any entity considering itself and manifesting itself to the world as a national community –
namely sovereign states,
but also nations and countries in a state of colonial or other dependence,
(con)federal integration,
or even an
ethnocultural community considered a
'nationality'
despite the absence of political autonomy.
National symbols intend to unite people by creating visual, verbal, or iconic representations of the national people,
values, goals, or history.
These symbols are often rallied around as part of celebrations of patriotism or aspiring nationalism
(such as independence, autonomy or separation movements)
and are designed
to be
inclusive and representative
of all the
peoples of the national community.
Historical meaning
This history of a symbol is one of many factors in determining a particular symbol's apparent meaning.
Old symbols become reinterpreted, due perhaps to environmental changes. Consequently, symbols with emotive power carry problems analogous to false etymologies.
For example,
the
Rebel Flag of the American South
predates
the
American Civil War.
An early variant of the crossed bars resembled the Scottish Flag.
Juxtaposition
Juxtaposition further complicates the matter.
Similar five–
pointed stars might signify a law enforcement officer or a member of the armed services, depending the uniform.
A national symbol is a symbol of any entity considering itself and manifesting itself to the world as a national community –
namely sovereign states,
but also nations and countries in a state of colonial or other dependence,
(con)federal integration,
or even an
ethnocultural community considered a
'nationality'
despite the absence of political autonomy.
National symbols intend to unite people by creating visual, verbal, or iconic representations of the national people,
values, goals, or history.
These symbols are often rallied around as part of celebrations of patriotism or aspiring nationalism
(such as independence, autonomy or separation movements)
and are designed
to be
inclusive and representative
of all the
peoples of the national community.
- National epics
- National sports
- National dishes
- National animal
- National dress - this can have a more official character in the case of court dress or military uniforms
- National Day
- National instruments
- Folk dances
- Folk hero
- Folk instrument
- Folk music
- Culture hero
- Monuments and clichés associated with tourism
- National personifications
- Various other national emblems, including special plants, animals and objects associated with the nation
- In a nation largely stamped by a particular religion, some of its most revered symbols may be adopted as national symbols (occasionally even officially), e.g. the national patron saint or equivalent deity, a major pilgrimage site, church or temple
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