France has one. Who else?
May 19, 2010 3:52 PM Subscribe
A Fleur de lis is a symbol readily associated with France. Are there other such symbols for other countries?
Thistle for Scotland. Clover for Ireland. Red rose for England.
posted by musofire at 3:55 PM on May 19, 2010
posted by musofire at 3:55 PM on May 19, 2010
Star of David = Israel
Hammer and Sickle = USSR/Russia
posted by The Winsome Parker Lewis at 3:57 PM on May 19, 2010
Hammer and Sickle = USSR/Russia
posted by The Winsome Parker Lewis at 3:57 PM on May 19, 2010
As ana side, the Fleur de Lis is also a symbol for Louisiana (in recognition of its French culture).
posted by jander03 at 4:00 PM on May 19, 2010
posted by jander03 at 4:00 PM on May 19, 2010
Almost every country has emblems. Wattle for Australia.
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 4:02 PM on May 19, 2010
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 4:02 PM on May 19, 2010
Hammer and Sickle = USSR/RussiaThat's the Communist emblem, it's not national or unique to the ex-Soviet Union.
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 4:03 PM on May 19, 2010
South Korea = Taegeuk (the yin and yang symbol). Like Fiasco said, I'm sure there's plenty others if you dig around a bit.
posted by photo guy at 4:03 PM on May 19, 2010
posted by photo guy at 4:03 PM on May 19, 2010
The fleur-de-lis is also a symbol for Bosnia, and it was part of our flag until the flag was changed a few years back, because it was thought to more specifically be a symbol of Bosniaks (Bosnian Muslims), although I knew plenty of Catholics and Orthodox Christians who liked it.
Obviously, France looms larger in the minds of most of the world than does Bosnia, but you probably see a lot more fleurs-de-lis in Bosnia than you do in France - at least it seems that way to me.
posted by Dee Xtrovert at 4:04 PM on May 19, 2010
Obviously, France looms larger in the minds of most of the world than does Bosnia, but you probably see a lot more fleurs-de-lis in Bosnia than you do in France - at least it seems that way to me.
posted by Dee Xtrovert at 4:04 PM on May 19, 2010
The daffodil for Wales too.
posted by ceri richard at 4:24 PM on May 19, 2010
posted by ceri richard at 4:24 PM on May 19, 2010
Germany has a number of symbols associated with it. I guess the Iron Cross would be the least unplesant.
posted by centerweight at 4:36 PM on May 19, 2010
posted by centerweight at 4:36 PM on May 19, 2010
Maybe the chrysanthemum in Japan qualifies for what you're interested in?
posted by dubitable at 4:48 PM on May 19, 2010
posted by dubitable at 4:48 PM on May 19, 2010
Specifically, you're asking about Floral emblems. There are many other National emblems; often they reflect heraldic uses.
posted by stepheno at 4:56 PM on May 19, 2010
posted by stepheno at 4:56 PM on May 19, 2010
Not so much France as Royal France, that is to say, Capetian kings and later. Kind of lost its cachet after the revolution, and Napoleon went for eagles and bees. And Ns. No lilies, though, as far as I know, not even in most ebullient pageantry. It came back with Louis XVIII during the restoration, but I suppose it became a bit embarrassing after a while, esp. with all those All Men Are Created Equal types.
The Bosnian connection has to do with the House of Kotromanić , which died out in 1463 with the Ottoman invasion. Interesting that it should be co-opted by Muslim population, I must say.
If we're talking symbols from nature, then Germany would be eagles. As would so many other central and eastern European countries.
I'm suspect that a lot of the things named in the various lists are more or less modern inventions designed to, well, fill up lists.
posted by IndigoJones at 5:08 PM on May 19, 2010
The Bosnian connection has to do with the House of Kotromanić , which died out in 1463 with the Ottoman invasion. Interesting that it should be co-opted by Muslim population, I must say.
If we're talking symbols from nature, then Germany would be eagles. As would so many other central and eastern European countries.
I'm suspect that a lot of the things named in the various lists are more or less modern inventions designed to, well, fill up lists.
posted by IndigoJones at 5:08 PM on May 19, 2010
If you really want to see Fleurs de Lis, then go to Quebec.
Silver fern for New Zealand.
Cypress for Lebanon
posted by Rumple at 5:34 PM on May 19, 2010
Silver fern for New Zealand.
Cypress for Lebanon
posted by Rumple at 5:34 PM on May 19, 2010
Triskelion: Variously claimed by Brittany, Isle of Man, and Sicily.
posted by Paragon at 6:29 PM on May 19, 2010
posted by Paragon at 6:29 PM on May 19, 2010
Zia for New Mexico.
posted by pickypicky at 7:31 PM on May 19, 2010
posted by pickypicky at 7:31 PM on May 19, 2010
Chrysanthemum, for Japan.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 8:12 PM on May 19, 2010
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 8:12 PM on May 19, 2010
A triskelion is the symbol of Brittany, as well as the Isle of Man and Sicily.
posted by unliteral at 9:50 PM on May 19, 2010
posted by unliteral at 9:50 PM on May 19, 2010
The Australian military has used the kangaroo as an identifying symbol for a long time. I remember hearing a possibly apocryphal story that wearing an Australian flag with the British Union Jack in it tended to confuse people that Australian soldiers were British, so the army opted for something less confusing. The boxing kangaroo has also been used as an informal national flag for years. That said, I don't know how well recognised outside Australia the kangaroo is as a national symbol.
posted by damonism at 11:11 PM on May 19, 2010
posted by damonism at 11:11 PM on May 19, 2010
Germany has a number of symbols associated with it. I guess the Iron Cross would be the least unplesant.
Swastika might score more points, no?
Kiwi for New Zealanders.
Spinning wheel for India.
Wikipedia has a list here.
posted by biffa at 4:30 AM on May 20, 2010
Swastika might score more points, no?
Kiwi for New Zealanders.
Spinning wheel for India.
Wikipedia has a list here.
posted by biffa at 4:30 AM on May 20, 2010
Sorry about the above, parsed that as 'least pleasant' instead of 'least unpleasant'.
posted by biffa at 6:15 AM on May 20, 2010
posted by biffa at 6:15 AM on May 20, 2010
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