The Tiranga and India's Other National Symbols: A Quick Guide
The national flag is one of several symbols of India. Learn how the flag relates to the State Emblem, the national anthem, the national song and other official symbols.
Why nations have symbols
National symbols help people across a large and diverse country feel connected to a shared identity. India's symbols draw on its history, culture and natural heritage. The national flag is the most visible of them, but it is part of a wider family of symbols.
The State Emblem
The State Emblem of India is an adaptation of the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath. It was adopted on 26 January 1950. In the emblem, three lions are visible, with a wheel (dharma chakra) on the abacus, a bull on one side and a horse on the other. Below it is the motto Satyameva Jayate, meaning truth alone triumphs, from the Mundaka Upanishad, in Devanagari script. The same Lion Capital gives us the Ashoka Chakra on the flag, so the flag and the emblem share a common source.
The national anthem
Jana Gana Mana, composed by Rabindranath Tagore, was adopted by the Constituent Assembly as the national anthem on 24 January 1950. The full version takes about 52 seconds to sing. When the anthem is played or sung, people should stand in attention as a mark of respect. National anthem and flag ceremonies usually go together, especially on Independence Day and Republic Day.
The national song
Vande Mataram, composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, was declared to have equal status with Jana Gana Mana as the national song on 24 January 1950. It played an important role in the freedom movement, and its words even appeared on the 1906 Calcutta flag and on Madame Bhikaji Cama's flag in 1907.
Other symbols
India also has a national calendar based on the Saka era, and several symbols drawn from nature that are commonly listed, such as the tiger as the national animal, the peacock as the national bird and the lotus as the national flower. Each of these symbols has its own story and significance.
Respecting all symbols
The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 protects the national flag, the Constitution and the national anthem from insult. The Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950 and the State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act, 2005 regulate how the emblem and certain names can be used. Learning about these symbols together helps us understand that each one expresses a part of India's identity, and that respecting them is a shared civic duty.
This article is intended for general educational purposes. For official or legal purposes, please refer to the current Flag Code of India and notifications published by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Spotted an error? Write to info@tirangaourpride.online.