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Religion in national symbols

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Religion in national symbols can often be found in national anthems or flags. This has led to controversy in some secular states in regard to the separation of church and state, when the national symbol is officially sanctioned by a government.[1]

Flags which incorporate symbols of religion

Buddhism

Flag Country Religious significance
Bhutan (flag) The orange half signifies Buddhist spiritual tradition[2]
Cambodia (flag) Angkor Wat,[3] a Hindu-Buddhist temple complex.
India (flag) The Ashoka Chakra represents the Laws of Dharma (righteousness).[4]
Myanmar (flag) The color saffron stands for Theravada Buddhism.
Singapore (flag) The white half stands for Chinese Buddhism.
Sri Lanka (flag) The four Bodhi tree leaves symbolize four Buddhist metaphysical concepts.[5]
Thailand (flag) The color white stands for Theravada Buddhism.[6]

Hinduism

Flag Country Religious significance
Nepal (flag) Based on the Hindu traditional flags.

Christianity

Further information: Christian state, History of Christian flags, and List of flags with Christian symbolism
Flag Country Religious significance
Armenia Armenia (flag) The color red emblematizes the maintenance of the Christian faith.[7]
Andorra Andorra (flag) Includes a bishop's mitre, representing the Bishop of Urgell.[8]
Australia Australia (flag) Crosses of St. George, St. Andrew and St. Patrick[9]
Cook Islands Cook Islands (flag) Crosses of St. George, St. Andrew and St. Patrick
Denmark Denmark (flag) Nordic Cross Flag[10]
Dominica Dominica (flag) The cross represents the Trinity[11]
Dominican Republic Dominican Republic (flag) A Bible, the color white stands for salvation[12]
El Salvador El Salvador (flag) Dios, Unión, Libertad (God, Union, Liberty)
Fiji Fiji (flag) Crosses of St. George, St. Andrew and St. Patrick, dove
Finland Finland (flag) Nordic Cross Flag[10]
Georgia (country) Georgia (flag) Jerusalem cross[13]
Greece Greece (flag) Greek cross symbolizes Greek Orthodoxy[14]
Iceland Iceland (flag) Nordic Cross Flag[10]
Republic of Ireland Ireland (flag) The green signifies the Roman Catholic majority. The orange signifies the Protestant minority.[15]
Liechtenstein Liechtenstein (flag) Christian cross[16]
Malta Malta (flag) George Cross[16]
Moldova Moldova (flag) Orthodox Cross[17]
Montenegro Montenegro (flag) Three crosses on the coat of arms[16]
Montserrat Montserrat (flag) The flag consists of an Irish figure Erin holding a Christian cross.
New Zealand New Zealand (flag) Crosses of St. George, St. Andrew and St. Patrick[16]
Niue Niue (flag) Crosses of St. George, St. Andrew and St. Patrick
Norway Norway (flag) Nordic Cross Flag[10]
Portugal Portugal (flag) Compound cross of five quinas, each one charged with five saltire-arranged bezants, representing the five wounds of Christ[18]
San Marino San Marino (flag) Cross[16]
Serbia Serbia (flag) Serbian cross symbolizes Serbian Orthodoxy[17]
Slovakia Slovakia (flag) Patriarchal cross[19]
Spain Spain (flag) Christian cross[16]
Sweden Sweden (flag) Nordic Cross Flag[10]
Switzerland Switzerland (flag) Greek cross[20]
Tonga Tonga (flag) Greek cross[21]
Tuvalu Tuvalu (flag) Crosses of St. George, St. Andrew and St. Patrick
United Kingdom United Kingdom (flag) Crosses of St. George, St. Andrew and St. Patrick[22]
Vatican City Vatican City (flag) The flag consists of two vertical bands, one of gold (hoist side) and one of white with the crossed keys of Saint Peter and the Papal Tiara centered in the white band

Islam

Main article: List of flags with Islamic symbolism
Flag Country Religious significance
Afghanistan Afghanistan (flag) Shahada[23]
Algeria Algeria (flag) Star and crescent, green color symbolizes Islam[24]
Azerbaijan Azerbaijan (flag) Green stands for Islam, the crescent moon is also an Islamic symbol[25]
Bahrain Bahrain (flag) Five points represent the Five Pillars of Islam[26]
Brunei Brunei (flag) Crescent moon[27]
Comoros Comoros (flag) Star and crescent and green color are traditional symbols of Islam[28]
Iran Iran (flag) The five parts of the emblem represent the Five Pillars of Islam, the shape of the emblem is a stylized form of the Arabic word "Allah" (ٱللَّٰهُ); text along the red and green bands reads "Allahu Akbar" ("God is Great")[29]
Iraq Iraq (flag) The phrase "Allahu Akbar" ("God is Great")[30]
Jordan Jordan (flag) The seven-pointed star represents the seven verses of the Quran's first sura[31]
Libya Libya (flag) Star and crescent represent Islam[32]
Malaysia Malaysia (flag) Crescent moon[33]
Maldives Maldives (flag) White crescent moon symbolizes Islam[34]
Mauritania Mauritania (flag) Star and crescent and green color symbolize Islam[35]
Morocco Morocco (flag) The green represents Islam. The pentagram's five points symbolize the five Pillars of Islam.[36]
Pakistan Pakistan (flag) Star and crescent symbolize Islam and the dark green field symbolizes the Muslim majority of Pakistan.[37]
Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia (flag) Shahada (Muslim creed) on green, a color represents Islam[38]
Senegal Senegal (flag) The green stripe and star represent Islam.[39][40]
Somaliland Somaliland (flag) Shahada (green may also represent Islam)
Sudan Sudan (flag) Green represents Islam.[41]
Tunisia Tunisia (flag) Star and crescent symbolize Islam
Turkey Turkey (flag) Star and crescent
Turkmenistan Turkmenistan (flag) Crescent moon (green may also represent Islam)
Uzbekistan Uzbekistan (flag) Crescent moon (green may also represent Islam), the word "Allah" ("God") from 12 stars

Judaism

Flag Country Religious significance
Israel Israel (flag) The basic design is based on a Jewish prayer shawl, the Star of David is a symbol of Judaism[42]

Traditional

Flag Country Religious significance
Argentina Argentina (flag) Sun of May's features are that of the Inca god Inti[43]
Japan Japan (flag) Red circle represents the sun goddess Amaterasu
South Korea South Korea (flag) Taegeuk symbol is associated with Taoism and traditional Korean Shamanism; I Ching trigrams.
Mexico Mexico (flag) Coat of arms symbolic of Aztec legend of Tenochtitlan, modern-day Mexico City[44]
Mongolia Mongolia (flag) Taijitu symbol of yin and yang is associated with Taoism and traditional Mongolian shamanism. The Sun, Moon and blue colour represent the eternal sky
Taiwan Taiwan (flag) The twelve rays of the white Sun symbolize the twelve months and the twelve traditional shichen (時辰; shíchén), periods of one-twelfth of a day used in Traditional Chinese timekeeping and astrology
Tajikistan Tajikistan (flag) The seven stars representing number seven in Tajik traditional legends, representing perfection and happiness while alluding to a traditional belief that the heavens feature seven mountains and seven orchard gardens with a star shining above each mountain.
Uruguay Uruguay (flag) Sun of May's features are that of the Inca god Inti[45]

National anthems which incorporate religion

National anthems which incorporate religion
Country National anthem Religion(s) mentioned
 Afghanistan "Dā də bātorāno kor" (English: "This is the Home of the Brave") Islam
 Antigua and Barbuda "Fair Antigua, We Salute Thee" Christianity
 Austria "Land der Berge, Land am Strome" (English: "Land of the Mountains, Land on the River") Christianity
 Azerbaijan "Azərbaycan marşı" (English: "March of Azerbaijan") Islam
 Bahamas "March On, Bahamaland" Christianity
 Bahrain "Bahrainona" (English: "Our Bahrain") Islam
 Barbados "In Plenty and In Time of Need" Christianity
 Belarus "My Belarusy" (English: "We Belarusians") Christianity
 Belize "Land of the Free" Christianity
 Bhutan "Druk tsendhen" (English: "The Thunder Dragon Kingdom") Buddhism
 Bolivia "Himno Nacional de Bolivia" (English: "National Anthem of Bolivia") Christianity
 Botswana "Fatshe leno la Rona" (English: "Blessed Be This Noble Land") Christianity
 Brunei "Allah Peliharakan Sultan" (English: "God Bless the Sultan") Islam
 Burundi "Burundi Bwacu" (English: "Our Burundi") Christianity
 Cambodia "Nokoreach" (English: "Royal Kingdom") Buddhism
 Cameroon "Chant de Ralliement" (French: "The Rallying Song") Christianity
 Canada "Ô Canada" (English: "O Canada") Christianity
 Chad "La Tchadienne" (English: "Song of the Chadian") Islam
 Chile "Himno Nacional de Chile" (English: "National Anthem of Chile") Christianity
 Colombia "Himno Nacional de la República de Colombia" (English: "National Anthem of the Republic of Colombia") Christianity
 Comoros "Udzima wa ya Masiwa" (English: "The Union of the Great Islands") Islam
 Czech Republic "Kde Domov Můj?" (English: "Where is my Home?") Christianity
 Denmark "Der er et Yndigt Land" (English: "There is a Lovely Country") Traditional
 Djibouti "La Djiboutienne" (English: "The Djiboutian Song") Islam
 Dominica "Isle of Beauty, Isle of Splendour" Christianity
 DR Congo "Debout Congolais" (English: "Arise Congolese") Christianity
 Ecuador "Salve, Oh Patria" (English: "We Salute You, Our Homeland") Christianity
 El Salvador "Himno Nacional de El Salvador" (English: "National Anthem of El Salvador") Christianity
 Estonia "Mu isamaa, mu õnn ja rõõm" (English: "My Fatherland, My Happiness and Joy") Christianity
 Eswatini "Nkulunkulu Mnikati wetibusiso temaSwati" (English: "O Lord is our God, Swaziland") Christianity
 Fiji "God Bless Fiji" Christianity and Hinduism
 France "La Marseillaise" (English: "The Song from Marseille") Christianity
 Gambia "For The Gambia Our Homeland" Islam
 Ghana "God Bless Our Homeland Ghana" Christianity
 Georgia "Tavisupleba" (English: "Freedom") Christianity
 Grenada "Hail Grenada" Christianity
 Guatemala "Himno Nacional de Guatemala" (English: "National Anthem of Guatemala") Christianity
 Guyana "Dear Land of Guyana, of Rivers and Plains" Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism
 Haiti "La Dessalinienne" (English: "The Dessalines Song")[a] Christianity
 Honduras "Himno Nacional de Honduras" (English: "National Anthem of Honduras") Christianity
 Hungary "Himnusz" (English: "Anthem") Christianity
 Iceland "Lofsöngur" (English: "Hymn") Christianity and traditional
 Indonesia "Indonesia Raya" (English: "Great Indonesia") Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism
 Iran "Sorud-e Melli-e Iran" (English: "National Anthem of Iran") Islam
 Israel "Hatikvah" (English: "The Hope") Judaism
 Italy "Il Canto degli Italiani" (English: "The Song of the Italians") Christianity
 Ivory Coast "L'Abidjanaise" (English: "Song of Abidjan") Christianity and Islam
 Jamaica "Jamaica, Land We Love" Christianity
 Japan "Kimigayo" (English: "His Majesty's Reign") Buddhism and Shintoism
 Jordan "As-Salam al-Malaki al-Urduni" (English: "Peace to the King of Jordan") Islam
 Kenya "Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu" (English: "Oh God of All Creation") Christianity
 Kiribati "Teirake Kaini Kiribati" (English: "Stand Up, Kiribati") Christianity
 North Korea "Aegukka" (English: "Patriotic Song") Buddhism
 South Korea "Aegukga" (English: "Patriotic Song") Christianity, Confucianism and Buddhism
 Kuwait "Al-Nasheed Al-Watani" (English: "National Anthem") Islam
 Latvia "Dievs, svētī Latviju!" (English: "God, Bless Latvia!") Christianity
 Lebanon "an-Našīd al-Waṭanī al-Lubnānī" (English: "Lebanese National Anthem") Christianity and Islam
 Lesotho "Lesotho Fatse La Bontata Rona" (English: "Lesotho, Land of our Fathers") Christianity
 Liberia "All Hail, Liberia, Hail!" Christianity
 Libya "Libya, Libya, Libya" Islam
 Liechtenstein "Oben am jungen Rhein" (English: "Up above the young Rhine") Christianity
 Luxembourg "Ons Hemecht" (English: "Our Homeland") Christianity
 Madagascar "Ry Tanindrazanay malala ô!" (English: "Oh, Our Beloved Father Land") Christianity and traditional
 Malawi "Mulungu dalitsa Malaŵi" (English: "O God bless our land of Malawi") Christianity
 Maldives "Gaumii Salaam" (English: "National Salute") Islam
 Mali "Le Mali" (English: "Mali") Islam
 Malta "L-Innu Malti" (English: "The Maltese Hymn") Christianity
 Marshall Islands "Forever Marshall Islands" Christianity
 Mauritania "Nshyd Wtny Mwrytany" (English: "National Anthem of Mauritania") Islam
 Mauritius "Motherland" Christianity and Hinduism
 Mexico "Himno Nacional Mexicano" (English: "Mexican National Anthem") Christianity
 Micronesia "Patriots of Micronesia" Christianity
 Monaco "Hymne Monégasque" (English: "Monégasque Anthem") Christianity
 Morocco "An-Našīd aš-Šarīf" (English: "Cherifian Anthem") Islam
 Nauru "Nauru Bwiema" (English: "Nauru, our Homeland") Christianity
   Nepal "Sayaun Thunga Phulka" (English: "We are Hundreds of Flowers") Buddhism and Hinduism
 Netherlands "Wilhelmus" (English: "William")[b] Christianity
 New Zealand "God Defend New Zealand and God Save the Queen" Christianity
 Nigeria "Nigeria, We Hail Thee" Christianity and Islam
 Norway "Ja, vi Elsker dette Landet" (English: "Yes, we Love this Country") Christianity
 Oman "As-Salam as-Sultani" (English: "Song of the Sultanic Salute") Islam
 Pakistan "Qaumī Tarāna" (English: "National Anthem") Islam
 Palau "Belau Rekid" (English: "Our Palau") Christianity
 Panama "Himno Istmeño" (English: "Hymn of the Isthmus") Christianity
 Papua New Guinea "O Arise, All You Sons" Christianity
 Paraguay "Paraguayos, República o Muerte" (English: "Paraguayans, Republic or Death") Christianity
 Peru "Himno Nacional del Perú" (English: "National Anthem of Peru") Christianity
 Qatar "As Salam al Amiri" (English: "Peace to the Amir") Islam
 Rwanda "Rwanda Nziza" (English: "Beautiful Rwanda") Christianity
 Romania "Deșteaptă-te, Române!" (English: "Awaken, Romanian!") Christianity
 Russia "Gosudarstvenny Gimn Rossiyskoy Federatsi" (English: "State Anthem of the Russian Federation") Christianity
 Saint Kitts and Nevis "O Land of Beauty!" Christianity
 Saint Lucia "Sons and Daughters of Saint Lucia" Christianity
 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines "Saint Vincent Land so Beautiful Christianity
 Samoa "O Le Fu'a o Le Sa'olotoga o Samoa" (English: "The Banner of Freedom") Christianity
 Saudi Arabia "Aash Al Maleek" (English: "Long Live the King") Islam
 Senegal "Pincez tous vos koras, frappez les balafons" (English: "Everyone strum your koras, strike the balafons") Islam
 Serbia "Bože pravde" (English: "God of Justice") Christianity
 Seychelles "Koste Seselwa" (English: "Join together all Seychellois") Christianity
 Sierra Leone "High We Exalt Thee, Realm of the Free" Christianity and Islam
 Slovakia "Nad Tatrou sa Blýska" (English: "Lightning over the Tatras") Christianity
 Slovenia "Zdravljica" (English: "A Toast") Christianity
 Solomon Islands "God Save Our Solomon Islands" Christianity
 Somalia "Qolobaa Calankeed" (English: "Praise the Homeland") Islam
 South Africa "National Anthem of South Africa" Christianity
 South Sudan "South Sudan Oyee!" Christianity
 Sri Lanka "Sri Lanka Matha" (English: "Mother Sri Lanka") Buddhism
 Sudan "Nahnu Jund Allah Jund Al-watan" (English: "We are the Soldiers of God and of our Homeland") Islam
 Suriname "God zij met ons Suriname" (English: "God be with our Suriname") Christianity
 Sweden "Du gamla, Du fria" (English: "Thou ancient, Thou free")[c] Christianity
  Switzerland "Schweizerpsalm/Cantique Suisse/Salmo Svizzero/Psalm Svizzer" (English: "Swiss Psalm") Christianity
 Syria "Humat ad-Diyar" (English: "Guardians of the Homeland")[d] Islam
 Taiwan "Three Principles of the People" (English: "National Anthem of Taiwan") Confucianism
 Tanzania "Mungu ibariki Afrika" (English: "God Bless Africa") Christianity and Islam
 Togo "Salut à Toi, Pays de nos Aïeux" (English: "Hail to Thee, Land of our Forefathers") Christianity
 Tonga "Ko e fasi ʻo e tuʻi ʻo e ʻOtu Tonga" (English: "The Song of the King of the Tongan Islands") Christianity
 Trinidad and Tobago "Forged from the Love of Liberty" Christianity and Hinduism
 Tunisia "Humat al-Hima" (English: "Defenders of the Homeland") Islam
 Turkey "İstiklâl Marşı" (English: "Independence March") Islam
 Tuvalu "Tuvalu mo te Atua" (English: "Tuvalu for the Almighty") Christianity
 United Arab Emirates "Ishy Bilady" (English: "Long Live my Nation") Islam
 Uganda "Oh Uganda, Land of Beauty" Christianity
 Uruguay "Himno Nacional de Uruguay" (English: "National Anthem of Uruguay") Christianity
 United Kingdom "God Save the King" Christianity
 United States "The Star-Spangled Banner"[a] Christianity
 Uzbekistan "O‘zbekiston Respublikasining Davlat Madhiyasi" (English: "National Anthem of Uzbekistan") Islam
 Vanuatu "Yumi, Yumi, Yumi" (English: "We, We, We") Christianity
 Vatican City "Inno e Marcia Pontificale" (English: "Hymn and Pontifical March") Christianity
 Venezuela "Gloria al Bravo Pueblo" (English: "Glory to the Brave People") Christianity
 Yemen "Nashīd al-Yaman al-Watani" (English: "National Anthem of Yemen") Islam
 Zambia "Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free" Christianity
 Zimbabwe "National Anthem of Zimbabwe" Christianity

Former national anthems

Former national anthems which incorporated religion
Country National anthem Religion(s) mentioned
 Australia, until 1984 "God Save the Queen" Christianity
 Austria-Hungary "Gott erhalte Franz den Kaiser" (English: "God Save Emperor Francis") Christianity
 Bosnia and Herzegovina, until 1998 "Jedna si jedina" (English: "You Are the One and Only") Christianity and Islam
 Canada, until 1967 "God Save the Queen" Christianity
 China "Gong Jin'ou" (English: "Cup of Solid Gold") Confucianism
 Egypt "Es Salaam el Gamhoury el Masry" (English: "Egyptian Republican Anthem") Christianity and Islam
 Ethiopia "Ityopp'ya Hoy" (English: "Ethiopia, Be happy") Christianity
 Hawaii "He Mele Lahui Hawaii" (English: "Song of the Hawaiian Nation") Christianity
 Iran "Sorude Melli" (English: "National Anthem") Christianity, Islam and Zoroastrianism
 Iraq, until 2003 "Ardh ul-Furatayn" (English: "Land of the Euphrates") Islam
 Korea "Daehan Jeguk Aegukga" (English: "Patriotic Hymn of the Great Korean Empire") Christianity, Confucianism and Buddhism
 Laos "Pheng Xat Lao" (English: "Hymn of the Lao People") Buddhism
 Libya "Allahu Akbar" (English: "God is Greatest") Islam
 Manchukuo "Mǎnzhōuguó jiàn guógē" (English: "Manchukuo Independence Song") Buddhism and Shinto
 Montenegro "Ubavoj nam Crnoj Gori" (English: "To Our Beautiful Montenegro") Christianity
 Namibia, until 1991 "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" (English: "Lord Bless Africa") Christianity
 Netherlands Antilles Untitled Christianity
 Netherlands, until 1932 "Wien Neêrlands Bloed" (English: "Those in whom Dutch blood") Christianity
 Newfoundland "Ode to Newfoundland" Christianity
 Nigeria, until 2024 "Arise, O Compatriots" Christianity and Islam
 Orange Free State "Volkslied van de Oranje Vrijstaat" (English: "National Anthem of the Orange Free State") Christianity
 Portugal "Hino da Carta" (English: "Hymn to the Charter") Christianity
 Rhodesia "Rise O Voices of Rhodesia" Christianity
 Romania "Trăiască Regele" (English: "Long Live the King") Christianity
 Russia "God Save The Tsar!" Christianity
Slovakia "Hej, Slováci" (English: "Hey, Slovaks") Christianity
 South Africa "Die Stem van Suid-Afrika" (English: "The Call of South Africa")[a] Christianity
 South Africa, until 1957 "God bewaar ons Koningin" Christianity
 South Africa, until 1997 "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" (English: "Lord Bless Africa") Christianity
  Switzerland, until 1961 "Rufst du, mein Vaterland" (English: "When you call, my Fatherland")[e] Christianity
Tibet "Gyallu" Buddhism
 Transvaal "Volkslied van Transvaal" (English: "National Anthem of the Transvaal")[f] Christianity
 Two Sicilies "Inno al Re" (English: "Hymn to the King") Christianity
 Upper Volta "Hymne National Voltaïque" (English: "Voltan National Anthem") Christianity and Islam
 Yugoslavia "Himna Kraljevine Jugoslavije" (English: "Hymn of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia) Christianity
 Zambia, until 1973 "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" (English: "Lord Bless Africa") Christianity
 Zimbabwe, until 1994 "Ishe Komborera Africa" (English: "God Bless Africa") Christianity

Coat of arms which symbolize religion

Buddhism

Coat of arms Country Religious characteristics
Bhutan (emblem) Druk, Lotus
Cambodia (coat of arms) Om
India (emblem) Ashoka Chakra, Lion Capital of Ashoka
Indonesia (coat of arms) Garuda
Laos (emblem) Pha That Luang
Mongolia (emblem) Dharmachakra, Ratnatraya, Wind Horse
Myanmar (state seal) Chinthe
Sri Lanka (emblem) Dharmachakra, Lotus

Hinduism

Coat of arms Country Religious characteristics
India (emblem) Satyameva Jayate
Indonesia (coat of arms) Garuda
Nepal (emblem) Janani Janmabhumishcha Swargadapi Gariyasi
Thailand (emblem) Garuda

Christianity

Coat of arms Country Religious characteristics
Andorra (coat of arms) Includes a bishop's mitre, representing the Bishop of Urgell.
Armenia (coat of arms) Mount Ararat with Noah's Ark sitting atop it.
Australia (coat of arms) St George's Cross, Maltese cross
Belgium (coat of arms) A globus cruciger on top of the coat of arms as a Christian symbol of authority
Bulgaria (coat of arms) The crosses on the four crowns symbolize Bulgarian Orthodoxy
Canada (coat of arms) Cross, A Mari Usque Ad Mare ('From Sea to Sea')
Cyprus (coat of arms) Dove
Denmark (coat of arms) A globus cruciger on top of the coat of arms as a Christian symbol of authority; royal arms also has cross
Dominica (coat of arms) Cross, Apres Bondie C'est La Ter ('After God the Earth')
Dominican Republic (coat of arms) Cross, Bible, Dios, Patria, Libertad ('God, Fatherland, Liberty')
El Salvador (coat of arms) Dios, Unión, Libertad (God, Union, Liberty)
Fiji (coat of arms) Cross, Rerevaka na kalou ka doka na Tui ('Fear God and honour the Queen'), dove
Georgia (coat of arms) St. George, Bolnisi cross, globus cruciger
Grenada (coat of arms) Cross, 'Ever Conscious of God we Aspire, Build and Advance as One People'
Greece (coat of arms) Greek cross
Hungary (coat of arms) Patriarchal cross; cross on the distinctive Crown of Saint Stephen
Iceland (coat of arms) Nordic cross
Jamaica (coat of arms) Cross
Liechtenstein (coat of arms) A globus cruciger on top of the coat of arms as a Christian symbol of authority
Lithuania (coat of arms) Patriarchal cross
Luxembourg (coat of arms) A globus cruciger on top of the coat of arms as a Christian symbol of authority
Malta (coat of arms) George Cross
Moldova (coat of arms) Cross
Monaco (coat of arms) Cross, Deo Juvante ('With God's Help')
Montenegro (coat of arms) Cross, globus crucigers
Nauru (coat of arms) 'God's Will First'
Netherlands (coat of arms) A globus cruciger on top of the coat of arms as a Christian symbol of authority
New Zealand (coat of arms) A globus cruciger on top of the coat of arms as a Christian symbol of authority
Nigeria (coat of arms) 'Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress'
Norway (coat of arms) A globus cruciger on top of the coat of arms as a Christian symbol of authority.

The Danish axe is a battle weapon from Middle Ages that represents St. Olaf, and thus the conversion of Norway to Christianity.

Portugal (coat of arms) Compound cross of five quinas, each one charged with five saltire-arranged bezants
Romania (coat of arms) Cross
Russia (coat of arms) St. George, globus crucigers
Samoa (coat of arms) Faavae i Le Atua Samoa ('Samoa is founded on God'), cross
San Marino (coat of arms) A globus cruciger on top of the coat of arms as a Christian symbol of authority
Serbia (coat of arms) Serbian cross, globus cruciger
Slovakia (coat of arms) Patriarchal cross
Spain (coat of arms) A globus cruciger on top of the coat of arms as a Christian symbol of authority
Sweden (coat of arms) Cross, a globus cruciger on top of the coat of arms as a Christian symbol of authority
Switzerland (coat of arms) Cross
Tonga (coat of arms) Cross, dove, Ko e ʻOtua mo Tonga ko hoku Tofiʻa ('God and Tonga are my inheritance')
Tuvalu (coat of arms) Tuvalu Mo Te Atua ('Tuvalu for the Almighty')
Uganda (coat of arms) For God and My Country
United Kingdom (coat of arms) globus crucigers, 'Dieu et mon droit' ('God and my right'), and on Scottish version, 'In My Defens God Me Defend' (shortened to 'In Defens')
United States (seal reverse) Eye of Providence
Vatican City (coat of arms) The crossed keys of St. Peter and the Papal Tiara
Vanuatu (coat of arms) 'Long God yumi stanap' ('In God we stand')

Former

Coat of arms Country Religious characteristics
Austria-Hungary (coat of arms) Globus crucigers, patriarchal cross
Belarus (coat of arms) Pahonia with a double cross
Ethiopian Empire (coat of arms) Cross, globus cruciger, Lion of Judah, St. Michael, Gabriel, ኢትዮጵያ ታበፅዕ እደዊሃ ሃበ እግዚአብሐር ('Ethiopia Stretches Her Hands unto God'), ማዓ አንበሳ ዘአማነባደ ይሁዳ ('Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah')
Georgia (coat of arms) St. George
German Empire (coat of arms) A globus cruciger on top of the coat of arms as a Christian symbol of authority
Kingdom of Italy (coat of arms) Cross, globus cruciger
Russian Empire (coat of arms) Cross, St. George, St. Michael, Gabriel, 'Съ нами Богъ!' ('God is with us!')
Kingdom of Yugoslavia (coat of arms) Globus cruciger, Serbian cross

Islam

Coat of arms Country Religious characteristics
Emblem of Afghanistan
Emblem of Afghanistan
 Afghanistan (coat of arms) Shahadah, mosque, mehrab, Prayer rug
Algeria (coat of arms) Star and crescent
Azerbaijan (coat of arms) Calligraphic representation of the name Allah in the form of an eternal flame, green
Bahrain (coat of arms) five points represent the five pillars of Islam
Brunei (coat of arms) Crescent moon, الدائمون المحسنون بالهدى (Always in service with God's guidance)
Comoros (Seal) Star and crescent
Guinea (coat of arms) Dove
Iraq (coat of arms) الله أكبر (God is Great)
Jordan (coat of arms) Its colours of the eagle signifies the banner of Muhammad, the globe signifies the emergence of Islamic civilisation, الراجي من الله التوفيق والعون (Who seeks support and guidance from God)
Libya (coat of arms) Star and crescent
Malaysia (coat of arms) Crescent moon
Maldives (Emblem) Star and crescent
Mali (coat of arms) Great Mosque of Djenné, Un Peuple, Un But, Une Foi (One People, One Goal, One Faith)
Mauritania (seal) Star and crescent, green
Morocco (coat of arms) إن تنصروا الله ينصركم (If you glorify God, he will glorify you)
Pakistan (state emblem) ایمان ، اتحاد ، نظم (Faith, Unity, Discipline), Star and crescent, green
Senegal (coat of arms) Un Peuple, Un But, Une Foi (One People, One Goal, One Faith)
Tunisia (coat of arms) Star and crescent
Turkey (coat of arms) Star and crescent
Turkmenistan (emblem) Rub el Hizb, stars and crescent
Uzbekistan (emblem) Rub el Hizb, star and crescent

Former

Coat of arms Country Religious characteristics
Kingdom of Egypt (coat of arms) stars and crescent
Ottoman Empire (coat of arms) Quran, star and crescent, المستند بالتوفيقات الربانية ملك الدولة العثمانية (The Ottoman State relies on the guidance and assistance of the Almighty)

Judaism

Coat of arms Country Religious characteristics
Israel (coat of arms) Menorah, blue

Traditional

Coat of arms Country Religious characteristics
Argentina (coat of arms) Sun of May
South Korea (emblem) Yin and yang
Mexico (coat of arms) Symbolizies the Aztec legend of Tenochtitlan, modern-day Mexico City[44]
Uruguay (coat of arms) Sun of May

Former

Coat of arms Country Religious characteristics
Imperial State of Iran (coat of arms) Lion and Sun, Faravahar, Simurgh
Kingdom of Iraq (coat of arms) Lion of Babylon

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b c Specifically the fourth verse.
  2. ^ Most of the verses contain a link to religion and the sixth verse is entirely devoted to God.
  3. ^ No reference to Christianity in the original text, only in the unofficial and seldom sung extra verses suggested in 1910. References to Christianity do however exist in the royal anthem "Kungssången".
  4. ^ Specifically the third and fourth verses.
  5. ^ Specifically the German version.
  6. ^ Specifically the third verse.

References

  1. ^ "64 countries have religious symbols on their national flags". 25 November 2014.
  2. ^ "First Schedule – The National Flag and the National Emblem of Bhutan" (PDF). The Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan. Government of Bhutan. 2008-07-18. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-06. Retrieved 2010-10-08.
  3. ^ "Flag Description: Cambodia". World Factbook. CIA. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  4. ^ Flags of the world: an illustrated guide to contemporary flags Alfred Znamierowski – 2000, ISBN 1-84215-337-4
  5. ^ "The Sri Lankan Lion flag -how it came to be". Virtual Library Sri Lanka.
  6. ^ "Flag Description: Thailand". World Factbook. CIA. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  7. ^ "General Information on the government of Armenia's website". Gov.am. Retrieved 2014-02-02.
  8. ^ Zartman, Rubin (2002). Power and Negotiation. University of Michigan Press. p. 111. ISBN 0472089072.
  9. ^ Foley, Carol A. (1996). The Australian flag : colonial relic or contemporary icon?. Sydney: Federation Press. p. 18. ISBN 9781862871885.
  10. ^ a b c d e Jeroen Temperman (2010). State Religion Relationships and Human Rights Law. Martinus Nijhoff Publishers. ISBN 978-9004181489. Retrieved 2007-12-31. Many predominantly Christian states show a cross, symbolising Christianity, on their national flag. Scandinavian crosses or Nordic crosses on the flags of the Nordic countries–Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden–also represent Christianity.
  11. ^ "Flag Description: Dominica". World Factbook. CIA. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  12. ^ "Flag Description: Dominican Republic". World Factbook. CIA. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  13. ^ "The new flag of Georgia does not seem to be related with this historical banner. The flag of the National Movement was unknown ten years ago [1993] and was called 'the Georgian historical national flag' by the opposition leaders only after publications by the Georgian vexillologist I.L. Bichikashvili." Mikhail Revnivtsev, 25 November 2003 crwflags.com
  14. ^ "Flag Description: Greece". World Factbook. CIA. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  15. ^ Talocci, Mauro (1982). Guide to the Flags of the World. Morrow. p. 271. ISBN 0688011411.
  16. ^ a b c d e f "64 countries have religious symbols on their national flags". Pew Research. 25 November 2014. Retrieved 2014-12-25.
  17. ^ a b Temperman, Jeroen (2010). State-Religion Relationships and Human Rights Law: Towards a Right to Religiously Neutral Governance. Brill Academic. p. 88. ISBN 9789004181489. The cross on the flag of Dominica represents Christianity while the three colours of which the cross consists stand for the Trinity. The coat of arms depicted on the flag of Slovakia shows a double cross. The flag of the Dominican Republic represents Christianity while the three colours of which the cross consists stand for the Tinity. The coat of arms depicted on the flag of Slovakia shows a double cross. The flag of the Dominican Republic shows the words "God, Fatherland, Liberty", an opened bible and a cross (depicted in the coat of arms which is represented in the centre). The 'five-cross-flag' of George shows four small crosses and a large St. George's Cross, referring to the patron saint of Georgia (the national flag of England shows the St. George's Cross as well). The white cross on the flag of Greece symbolizes Greek Orthodoxy. The flag of Moldova shows its coat of arms in the centre: an eagle with a Christian Orthodox cross in its beak. The coat of arms of Serbia, as depicted on the national flag, also shows an Orthodox cross.
  18. ^ "A Bandeira de Portugal". Portugal (in Portuguese). Criar Mundos. August 2005. Archived from the original on 2006-10-01. Retrieved 2007-02-19.
  19. ^ "O štátnej vlajke, štátnej zástave, štátnom znaku a štátnej pečati". Joint Czech–Slovak Digital Parliamentary Library. Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic. June 1939. Retrieved 2013-06-23.
  20. ^ Foley, Carol A. (1 January 1996). The Australian Flag. Federation Press. p. 10. ISBN 9781862871885. The Christian cross, for instance, is one of the oldest and most widely used symbols in the world, and many European countries, such as the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Greece and Switzerland, adopted and currently retain the Christian cross on their national flags.
  21. ^ Smith, Whitney (24 November 2013). "Flag of Tonga". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Retrieved 9 August 2014. (subscription required)
  22. ^ "Union Jack". The Royal Household. Retrieved 2013-06-23.
  23. ^ "Details".
  24. ^ "Flag Description: Algeria". World Factbook. CIA. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  25. ^ "Flag Description: Azerbaijan". World Factbook. CIA. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  26. ^ "Flag Description: Bahrain". World Factbook. CIA. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  27. ^ "Flag Description: Brunei". World Factbook. CIA. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  28. ^ "Flag Description: Comoros". World Factbook. CIA. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  29. ^ "Flag Description: Iran". World Factbook. CIA. Archived from the original on April 20, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  30. ^ "Flag Description: Iraq". World Factbook. CIA. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  31. ^ "Flag Description: Jordan". World Factbook. CIA. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  32. ^ "Flag of Libya - Description". Index Mundi. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  33. ^ "Flag Description: Malaysia". World Factbook. CIA. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  34. ^ "Flag Description: Maldives". World Factbook. CIA. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  35. ^ "Flag Description: Mauritania". World Factbook. CIA. Archived from the original on May 28, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  36. ^ "Moroccan Flag". Vexillology Matters. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
  37. ^ "Pakistan Flag". Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Archived from the original on October 26, 2007. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  38. ^ "Flag Description: Saudi Arabia". World Factbook. CIA. Archived from the original on May 20, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  39. ^ "Senegal on Flagspot". Flagspot.net. Retrieved 2014-02-02.
  40. ^ Philip, George and Son (December 26, 2002). Encyclopedic World Atlas. Oxford University Press. p. 198. ISBN 9780195219203. Retrieved May 24, 2013.
  41. ^ World Flags 101. "Sudan Flag - World Flags 101". WorldFlags101.com. Moxy Media. Retrieved 2008-08-09.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  42. ^ "Flag Description: Israel". World Factbook. CIA. Archived from the original on April 20, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  43. ^ "Flag Description: Argentina". World Factbook. CIA. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  44. ^ a b "Flag of Mexico". All-flags-world.com. Retrieved 2015-07-01.
  45. ^ "Flag of Uruguay". All-flags-world.com. Retrieved 2014-02-02.
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