Discovering the National Symbols of the Nation
A country’s national symbols dignifies the country, as well as its native citizens. The national symbols of Sri Lanka are indifferent, and those which are selected to represent a particular aspect of the country narrates the history and geography, as well as the traditional and cultural values. The national symbols of Sri Lanka are the national anthem, national flag, national emblem, national flower, national tree, national bird, national butterfly, national gemstone and national sport. The national flag, the national anthem, the national day and the national language is chosen and dictated under the mandate of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. This Constitution was first passed by the National State Assembly on 7 September 1978. On 14 November 1987 the Sri Lankan Parliament passed the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka, which made both Sinhala and Tamil the national languages. There are a select few symbols which arent technically chosen by the mandate, but in general locally accepted, acknowledged and announced as the representative symbols. These were handpicked and chosen on numerous occasions.
THE NATIONAL ANTHEM
The need for a National Anthem rose during the post-independence era, right after Sri Lanka gained independence in 1948. Through a unique contest, the world renown Sri Lankan National Anthem was chosen. The credit for the Anthem goes for the legendary composer Ananda Samarakoon.
The Sri Lankan national anthem is available in an identical version in two languages, Sinhala and Tamil. However, the latter was removed by the new government, claiming that a country should remain firm on a single anthem, sung in a single language.
Before the change however, the Tamil version was sung as Sri Lanka Thaaye, and it is an exact translation of Sri Lanka Matha, the Sinhala version, and has the same music. Although it has existed since independence in 1948, it was generally only sung in the north and east of the country where the Tamil language predominates.
THE NATIONAL FLAG
The National Flag of Sri Lanka represents the country and her heritage as rallying device that integrates the minorities with the majority race.
Sri Lanka National Flag is an improvisation of the civil standard of the last king of Sri Lanka, Sri Wickrama Rajasingha.
The civil standard had a passant royal lion with a sword in its right fore paw at the center, and a bo-leaf on each of the four corners on a plain border.
When Sri Lanka gained her independence from Great Britain on February 04, 1948, it was the lion flag of the last king of Sri Lanka was hoisted once again.
D.s.senanayake, the first Prime Minister of independent Sri Lanka appointed a committee to advice the government on the design of a new national flag. The design approved by the committee in February 1950 retained the symbol of the lion with the sword and the bo-leaves from the civil standard of the last king of Sri Lanka, with the inclusion of two vertical stripes green and orange in color.
The national flag was hoisted for the first time on March 3, 1950.
The significance of each symbol of the national flag is as follows:
■ The lion in the flag is chosen to resemble the entire Sinhala race.
■ The sword which is proudly lifted by the lion is symbolism for the sovereignty of the nation.
■ Curly hair on the lion’s mane indicates religious observance, wisdom and meditation.
■ The beard attempts to convey purity of words.
■ The handle of the sword highlights the elements of water, fire, air and earth. g The nose indicates intelligence.
■ The two front paws purport to purity in handling wealth.
■ The vertical stripe of orange represent the minority Tamil race and the green vertical stripe the minority Muslim race. g The four virtues of kindness: KINDNESS, FRIENDLINESS, HAPPINESS, EQUANIMITY are also represented in the flag.
■ The border round the flag, which is yellow in color, represents other minor races.
■ The bo-leaves at the four corners of the flag represent Buddhism and it’s influence on the nation. They also stand for the four virtues - Kindness, Friendliness, Happiness and Equanimity. g The maroon colored portion of the flag manifests the other minor religions.
THE NATIONAL EMBLEM
The national emblem of Sri Lanka is used by the State of Sri Lanka and the Sri Lankan government in connection with the administration and government of the country and the designer of this Emblem is S. M. Senevirathna. The current emblem has been in use since 1972.
The emblem features a gold lion passant, holding a sword in its right fore paw (the same lion from the flag of Sri Lanka) in the center on a maroon background surrounded by golden petals of a Blue Lotus the national flower of the country. This is placed on top of a traditional grain vase that sprouts sheaves of rice grains that circle the border reflecting prosperity.
The crest is the Dharmachakra, symbolizes the country’s foremost place for Buddhism and there are traditional Sinhalese heraldic symbols for the sun and the moon.
Upon the shift of the government regime, his excellency the President advised government officials to display the National Emblem over the usual practice of displaying a portrait of the President. That is an attempt to invoke national pride amongst workers.
THE NATIONAL FLOWER
The “Nil Mahanel” flower, botanically known as Nympheae Stellata was declared as the National Flower of Sri Lanka on 26th February 1986.
It is a species of flora which can be discovered in a majority of the locations in Sri Lanka, almost in every nook and corner of the island paradise. It is known to grow and prosper in shallow waters. Petals are arranged like a star and the flat round waterproof leaves are bright green.
It`s a symbol of purity and truth. It’s sweet fragrance is alluring and pleasant. It is so pleasant that it is primarily used as an offering at Buddhist Temples and rituals for god Vishnu. Sigiriya frescoes depict women holding these flowers in their hands as a symbol of respect.. Seeds and the tubes are used as vegetables by villagers and also leaves, stem and flowers are used in herbal medicine. Further, the dried flowers are used to make pillows and it is said that they produce happy dreams.
THE NATIONAL TREE
The Ironwood (Na Tree) is an iconic tree, botanically known under the binomial nomenclature as Mesua Nagassarium. This particular tree was declared as the National Tree of Sri Lanka on 26th February 1986. The reason for this particular reason is quite interesting. Some such justifications for the selection shall be listed below;
■ It’s origin is indigenous to Sri Lanka
■ Its utility to the society
■ Historically and culturally enriched memorabilia/importance
■ Exterior posture
■ Commonly seen and observed g Colour and nature
This rain forest tree grows to about 30 m high and indigenous to the lower Wet Zone of Sri Lanka. One remarkable feature of ‘Na tree’ is the beautiful bright red leaves that finally mature in to a deep green. Timber has a very hardness and durability and it was used to make bridges in the early times. But now it is not allowed to be used for timber due to its religious value. The flower of ‘Na’ is also used in herbal medicine and preparation of perfumes, cosmetics and soaps.
THE NATIONAL BIRD
Sri Lanka Jungle Fowl, a terrestrial bird; colorful in nature, and is endemic and indigenous to Sri Lanka is the national bird of Sri Lanka. Jungle Fowls are quite common in Sri Lanka’s lush jungles and dense wilderness conditions. They roost tall trees come nightfall, and has the ability to ‘fly’ upto tree branches if they felt threatened. Nests are usually found in hidden, scraped place on the ground or on a pile of vegetation just off the ground.
Sinharaja Rain Forest is the ideal location to observe the national bird of Sri Lanka.
THE NATIONAL BUTTERFLY
Scientifically classified as Troides darsius, a black and yellow butterfly - the Sri Lanka Birdwing is found exclusively in Sri Lanka. It is fortunate to be accepted and acknowledged as the national butterfly of Sri Lanka.
It is the largest Sri Lankan butterfly with a wingspan spreading 165-180 mm. Its large forewings are glossy black and hind-wings bright yellow with a black margin making it hard to go unnoticed when in flight.
THE NATIONAL GEMSTONE
The blue sapphire was declared as the national gemstone of Sri Lanka in October 2003.
To mark this announcement, a postage stamp worth LKR 4.50 was issued on 2 October 2003. Sri Lanka is famous for blue sapphires, especially known for their size.
THE NATIONAL SPORT
Volleyball was officially recognized as the national sport of Sri Lanka in 1991. The sport was introduced in 1916 to Sri Lanka. However, there is an opinion that Sri Lankans played a similar sport before its introduction.