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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 and Hinduism

Flag Country Religious characteristics
Bhutan (flag) The orange half signifies Buddhist spiritual tradition[2]
Cambodia (flag) Angkor Wat[3]
India (flag) The Ashoka Chakra represents the Laws of Dharma (righteousness).[4]
Nepal (flag) Based on the Hindu traditional flags.
Sri Lanka (flag) The four Bodhi tree leaves symbolize four Buddhist metaphysical concepts.[5]
Thailand (flag) The color white stands for Theravada Buddhism.[6]

Christianity

Further information: Christian state and History of Christian flags
Flag Country Religious characteristics
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]
Colombia Colombia (flag) Blue represents the equality of all races and social classes before God and the law[10]
Cook Islands Cook Islands (flag) Crosses of St. George, St. Andrew and St. Patrick
Denmark Denmark (flag) Nordic Cross Flag[11]
Dominica Dominica (flag) The cross represents the Trinity[12]
Dominican Republic Dominican Republic (flag) A Bible, the color white stands for salvation[13]
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[11]
Georgia (country) Georgia (flag) Jerusalem cross[14]
Greece Greece (flag) The cross symbolizes Greek Orthodoxy[15]
Iceland Iceland (flag) Nordic Cross Flag[11]
Republic of Ireland Ireland (flag) The green symbolizes the Catholic population. The orange symbolizes the Protestants.[16]
Liechtenstein Liechtenstein (flag) Christian cross[17]
Malta Malta (flag) George Cross[17]
Moldova Moldova (flag) Orthodox Cross
Montenegro Montenegro (flag) The three crosses represents the Trinity[17]
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[17]
Niue Niue (flag) Crosses of St. George, St. Andrew and St. Patrick
Norway Norway (flag) Nordic Cross Flag[11]
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[17]
Serbia Serbia (flag) Orthodox Cross[19]
Slovakia Slovakia (flag) Patriarchal cross[20]
Spain Spain (flag) The three crosses represents the Trinity[17]
Sweden Sweden (flag) Nordic Cross Flag[11]
Switzerland Switzerland (flag) Christian cross[21]
Tonga Tonga (flag) Christian cross[22]
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[23]
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

Flag Country Religious characteristics
Afghanistan Afghanistan (flag) Shahadah and takbir[24]
Algeria Algeria (flag) Star and crescent, green color symbolizes Islam[25]
Azerbaijan Azerbaijan (flag) Green stands for Islam, the crescent moon is also an Islamic symbol[26]
Bahrain Bahrain (flag) Five points represent the five pillars of Islam[27]
Brunei Brunei (flag) Crescent moon[28]
Comoros Comoros (flag) Star and crescent and green color are traditional symbols of Islam[29]
Iran Iran (flag) The word "Allah" ("God"), the phrase "Allahu Akbar" is repeated on the edges of the red and green bands,[30] the green color represents Islam
Iraq Iraq (flag) The phrase "Allah Akbar" ("God is Great")[31]
Jordan Jordan (flag) The seven-pointed star represents the seven verses of the Quran's first sura[32]
Libya Libya (flag) Star and crescent represent Islam[33]
Malaysia Malaysia (flag) Crescent moon[34]
Maldives Maldives (flag) White crescent moon symbolizes Islam[35]
Mauritania Mauritania (flag) Star and crescent and green color symbolize Islam[36]
Morocco Morocco (flag) The green represents Islam. The pentagram's five points symbolize the five Pillars of Islam.[37]
Pakistan Pakistan (flag) Star and crescent symbolize Islam and the dark green field symbolizes the Muslim majority of Pakistan.[38]
Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia (flag) Shahada (Muslim creed) on green, a color represents Islam[39]
Senegal Senegal (flag) The green stripe and star represent Islam.[40][41]
Sudan Sudan (flag) Green represents Islam.[42]
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 characteristics
Israel Israel (flag) The basic design is based on a Jewish prayer shawl, the Star of David is a symbol of Judaism[43]

Traditional

Flag Country Religious characteristics
Argentina Argentina (flag) Sun of May's features are that of the Inca god Inti[44]
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[45]
Mongolia Mongolia (flag) Taijitu symbol of yin and yang. 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[46]

National anthems which incorporate religion

National anthems which incorporate religion
Country National anthem Religion(s) mentioned
 Afghanistan "Dā də bātorāno kor" (Template:Lang-en) Islam
 Albania "Himni i Flamurit" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity and Islam
 Antigua and Barbuda "Fair Antigua, We Salute Thee" Christianity
 Austria "Land der Berge, Land am Strome" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Azerbaijan "Azərbaycan marşı" (Template:Lang-en) Islam
 Bahamas "March On, Bahamaland" Christianity
 Bahrain "Bahrainona" (Template:Lang-en) Islam
 Barbados "In Plenty and In Time of Need" Christianity
 Belarus "My Belarusy" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Belize "Land of the Free" Christianity
 Bhutan "Druk tsendhen" (Template:Lang-en) Buddhism
 Bolivia "Himno Nacional de Bolivia" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Botswana "Fatshe leno la Rona" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Brunei "Allah Peliharakan Sultan" (Template:Lang-en) Islam
 Burundi "Burundi Bwacu" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Cambodia "Nokoreach" (Template:Lang-en) Buddhism
 Cameroon "Chant de Ralliement" (French: "The Rallying Song") Christianity
 Canada "Ô Canada" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Chad "La Tchadienne" (Template:Lang-en) Islam
 Chile "Himno Nacional de Chile" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Taiwan, Republic of China "Three Principles of the People" (Template:Lang-en) Confucianism
 Colombia "Himno Nacional de la República de Colombia" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Comoros "Udzima wa ya Masiwa" (Template:Lang-en) Islam
 Czech Republic "Kde Domov Můj?" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Denmark "Der er et Yndigt Land" (Template:Lang-en) Traditional
 Dominica "Isle of Beauty, Isle of Splendour" Christianity
 DR Congo "Debout Congolais" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Ecuador "Salve, Oh Patria" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 El Salvador "Himno Nacional de El Salvador" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Estonia "Mu isamaa, mu õnn ja rõõm" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Eswatini "Nkulunkulu Mnikati wetibusiso temaSwati" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Fiji "God Bless Fiji" Christianity and Hinduism
 France "La Marseillaise" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Gambia "For The Gambia Our Homeland" Islam
 Ghana "God Bless Our Homeland Ghana" Christianity
 Georgia "Tavisupleba" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Grenada "Hail Grenada" Christianity
 Guatemala "Himno Nacional de Guatemala" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Guyana "Dear Land of Guyana, of Rivers and Plains" Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism
 Haiti "La Dessalinienne" (Template:Lang-en)[a] Christianity
 Honduras "Himno Nacional de Honduras" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Hungary "Himnusz" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Iceland "Lofsöngur" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Indonesia "Indonesia Raya" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism
 Iran "Sorud-e Melli-e Jomhuri-e Eslami-e Iran" (Template:Lang-en) Islam
 Israel "Hatikvah" (Template:Lang-en) Judaism
 Italy "Il Canto degli Italiani" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Ivory Coast "L'Abidjanaise" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity and Islam
 Jamaica "Jamaica, Land We Love" Christianity
 Japan "Kimigayo" (Template:Lang-en) Buddhism and Shintoism
 Jordan "As-Salam al-Malaki al-Urduni" (Template:Lang-en) Islam
 Kenya "Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Kiribati "Teirake Kaini Kiribati" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 South Korea "Aegukga" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity, Confucianism and Buddhism
 Kuwait "Al-Nasheed Al-Watani" (Template:Lang-en) Islam
 Latvia "Dievs, svētī Latviju!" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Lebanon "an-Našīd al-Waṭanī al-Lubnānī" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity and Islam
 Lesotho "Lesotho Fatse La Bontata Rona" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Liberia "All Hail, Liberia, Hail!" Christianity
 Libya "Libya, Libya, Libya" Islam
 Liechtenstein "Oben am jungen Rhein" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Luxembourg "Ons Hemecht" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Madagascar "Ry Tanindrazanay malala ô!" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity and traditional
 Malawi "Mulungu dalitsa Malaŵi" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Maldives "Gaumii Salaam" (Template:Lang-en) Islam
 Mali "Le Mali" (Template:Lang-en) Islam
 Malta "L-Innu Malti" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Marshall Islands "Forever Marshall Islands" Christianity
 Mauritania "Nshyd Wtny Mwrytany" (Template:Lang-en) Islam
 Mauritius "Motherland" Christianity and Hinduism
 Mexico "Himno Nacional Mexicano" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Micronesia "Patriots of Micronesia" Christianity
 Monaco "Hymne Monégasque" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Morocco "An-Našīd aš-Šarīf" (Template:Lang-en) Islam
 Nauru "Nauru Bwiema" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
   Nepal "Sayaun Thunga Phulka" (Template:Lang-en) Buddhism and Hinduism
 Netherlands "Wilhelmus" (Template:Lang-en)[b] Christianity
 New Zealand "God Defend New Zealand and God Save the Queen" Christianity
 Nigeria "Arise, O Compatriots" Christianity and Islam
 Norway "Ja, vi Elsker dette Landet" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Oman "As-Salam as-Sultani" (Template:Lang-en) Islam
 Pakistan "Qaumī Tarāna" (Template:Lang-en) Islam
 Palau "Belau Rekid" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Panama "Himno Istmeño" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Papua New Guinea "O Arise, All You Sons" Christianity
 Paraguay "Paraguayos, República o Muerte" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Peru "Himno Nacional del Perú" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Qatar "As Salam al Amiri" (Template:Lang-en) Islam
 Rwanda "Rwanda Nziza" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Romania "Deșteaptă-te, Române!" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Russia "Gosudarstvenny Gimn Rossiyskoy Federatsi" (Template:Lang-en) 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" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Saudi Arabia "Aash Al Maleek" (Template:Lang-en) Islam
 Senegal "Pincez Tous vos Koras, Frappez les Balafons" (Template:Lang-en) Islam
 Serbia "Bože pravde" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Seychelles "Koste Seselwa" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Sierra Leone "High We Exalt Thee, Realm of the Free" Christianity and Islam
 Slovakia "Nad Tatrou sa Blýska" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Slovenia "Zdravljica" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Solomon Islands "God Save Our Solomon Islands" Christianity
 Somalia "Qolobaa Calankeed" (Template:Lang-en) Islam
 South Africa "National Anthem of South Africa" Christianity
 South Sudan "South Sudan Oyee!" Christianity
 Sri Lanka "Sri Lanka Matha" (Template:Lang-en) Buddhism and Hinduism
 Sudan "Nahnu Jund Allah Jund Al-watan" (Template:Lang-en) Islam
 Suriname "God zij met ons Suriname" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Sweden "Du gamla, Du fria" (Template:Lang-en)[c] Christianity
  Switzerland "Schweizerpsalm/Cantique Suisse/Salmo Svizzero/Psalm Svizzer" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Syria "Humat ad-Diyar" (Template:Lang-en)[d] Islam
 Tanzania "Mungu ibariki Afrika" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity and Islam
 Togo "Salut à Toi, Pays de nos Aïeux" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Tonga "Ko e fasi ʻo e tuʻi ʻo e ʻOtu Tonga" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Trinidad and Tobago "Forged from the Love of Liberty" Christianity and Hinduism
 Tunisia "Humat al-Hima" (Template:Lang-en) Islam
 Turkey "İstiklâl Marşı" (Template:Lang-en) Islam
 Tuvalu "Tuvalu mo te Atua" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 United Arab Emirates "Ishy Bilady" (Template:Lang-en) Islam
 Uganda "Oh Uganda, Land of Beauty" Christianity
 Uruguay "Himno Nacional de Uruguay" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 United Kingdom "God Save the King" Christianity
 United States "The Star-Spangled Banner"[a] Christianity
 Uzbekistan "O‘zbekiston Respublikasining Davlat Madhiyasi" (Template:Lang-en) Islam
 Vanuatu "Yumi, Yumi, Yumi" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Vatican City "Inno e Marcia Pontificale" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Venezuela "Gloria al Bravo Pueblo" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Yemen "Nashīd al-Yaman al-Watani" (Template:Lang-en) 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" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Bosnia and Herzegovina, until 1998 "Jedna si jedina" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity and Islam
 Canada, until 1967 "God Save the Queen" Christianity
 China "Gong Jin'ou" (Template:Lang-en) Confucianism
 Egypt "Es Salaam el Gamhoury el Masry" (Template:Lang-en) Islam
 Ethiopia "Ityopp'ya Hoy" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Hawaii "He Mele Lahui Hawaii" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Iran "Sorude Melli" (Template:Lang-en) Islam and Zoroastrianism
 Iraq, until 2003 "Ardh ul-Furatayn" (Template:Lang-en) Islam
 Korea "Daehan Jeguk Aegukga" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity, Confucianism and Buddhism
 Laos "Pheng Xat Lao" (Template:Lang-en) Buddhism
 Libya "Allahu Akbar" (Template:Lang-en) Islam
 Manchukuo "Mǎnzhōuguó jiàn guógē" (Template:Lang-en) Buddhism and Shinto
 Montenegro "Ubavoj nam Crnoj Gori" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Namibia, until 1991 "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Netherlands Antilles Untitled Christianity
 Netherlands, until 1932 "Wien Neêrlands Bloed" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Newfoundland "Ode to Newfoundland" Christianity
 Nigeria, until 1978 "Nigeria, We Hail Thee" Christianity and Islam
 Orange Free State "Volkslied van de Oranje Vrijstaat" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Portugal "Hino da Carta" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Rhodesia "Rise O Voices of Rhodesia" Christianity
 Romania "Trăiască Regele" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Russia "God Save The Tsar!" Christianity
Slovakia "Hej, Slováci" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 South Africa "Die Stem van Suid-Afrika" (Template:Lang-en)[a] Christianity
 South Africa, until 1957 "God bewaar ons Koningin" Christianity
 South Africa, until 1997 "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
  Switzerland, until 1961 "Rufst du, mein Vaterland" (Template:Lang-en)[e] Christianity
Tibet "Gyallu" Buddhism
 Transvaal "Volkslied van Transvaal" (Template:Lang-en)[f] Christianity
 Two Sicilies "Inno al Re" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Upper Volta "Hymne National Voltaïque" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity and Islam
 Yugoslavia "Himna Kraljevine Jugoslavije" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Zambia, until 1973 "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity
 Zimbabwe, until 1994 "Ishe Komborera Africa" (Template:Lang-en) Christianity

Coat of arms which symbolize religion

Buddhism and Hinduism

Coat of arms Country Religious characteristics
Bhutan (emblem) Druk, Lotus
Cambodia (coat of arms) Om
India (emblem) Ashoka Chakra, Lion Capital of Ashoka, Satyameva Jayate
Indonesia (coat of arms) Garuda
Laos (emblem) Pha That Luang
Mongolia (emblem) Dharmachakra, Ratnatraya, Wind Horse
Myanmar (state seal) Chinthe
Nepal (emblem) Janani Janmabhumishcha Swargadapi Gariyasi
Sri Lanka (emblem) Dharmachakra, Lotus
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) A globus cruciger on top of the coat of arms as a Christian symbol of authority
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
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
Iran (coat of arms) Name of Allah
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
Empire of Iran (coat of arms) Zulfaghar, مرا داد فرمود و خود داور است (Justice He bids me do, as He will judge me)
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

Taoism and Confucianism

Coat of arms Country Religious characteristics
China, People's Republic of China (emblem) Tiananmen Square
Taiwan, Republic of China (emblem) The twelve rays of the white Sun
South Korea (emblem) Yin and yang

Traditional

Coat of arms Country Religious characteristics
Argentina (coat of arms) Sun of May
Mexico (coat of arms) Symbolizies the Aztec legend of Tenochtitlan, modern-day Mexico City[45]
Uruguay (coat of arms) Sun of May

Former

Coat of arms Country Religious characteristics
Empire 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".
  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. 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. ^ "Flag of Colombia on CRW". Crwflags.com. Retrieved 2014-02-02.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ "Flag Description: Dominica". World Factbook. CIA. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  13. ^ "Flag Description: Dominican Republic". World Factbook. CIA. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  14. ^ "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
  15. ^ "Flag Description: Greece". World Factbook. CIA. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  16. ^ Talocci, Mauro (1982). Guide to the Flags of the World. p. 271. ISBN 0688011411.
  17. ^ a b c d e f "64 countries have religious symbols on their national flags". Pew Research. Retrieved 2014-12-25.
  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. ^ 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.
  20. ^ "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.
  21. ^ 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.
  22. ^ Smith, Whitney (24 November 2013). "Flag of Tonga". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Retrieved 9 August 2014. (subscription required)
  23. ^ "Union Jack". The Royal Household. Retrieved 2013-06-23.
  24. ^ "Details".
  25. ^ "Flag Description: Algeria". World Factbook. CIA. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  26. ^ "Flag Description: Azerbaijan". World Factbook. CIA. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  27. ^ "Flag Description: Bahrain". World Factbook. CIA. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  28. ^ "Flag Description: Brunei". World Factbook. CIA. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  29. ^ "Flag Description: Comoros". World Factbook. CIA. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  30. ^ "Flag Description: Iran". World Factbook. CIA. Archived from the original on April 20, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  31. ^ "Flag Description: Iraq". World Factbook. CIA. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  32. ^ "Flag Description: Jordan". World Factbook. CIA. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  33. ^ "Flag of Libya - Description". Index Mundi. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  34. ^ "Flag Description: Malaysia". World Factbook. CIA. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  35. ^ "Flag Description: Maldives". World Factbook. CIA. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  36. ^ "Flag Description: Mauritania". World Factbook. CIA. Archived from the original on May 28, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  37. ^ "Moroccan Flag". Vexillology Matters. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
  38. ^ "Pakistan Flag". Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Archived from the original on October 26, 2007. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  39. ^ "Flag Description: Saudi Arabia". World Factbook. CIA. Archived from the original on May 20, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  40. ^ "Senegal on Flagspot". Flagspot.net. Retrieved 2014-02-02.
  41. ^ Philip, George and Son (December 26, 2002). Encyclopedic World Atlas. Oxford University Press. p. 198. ISBN 9780195219203. Retrieved May 24, 2013.
  42. ^ 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)
  43. ^ "Flag Description: Israel". World Factbook. CIA. Archived from the original on April 20, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  44. ^ "Flag Description: Argentina". World Factbook. CIA. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  45. ^ a b "Flag of Mexico". All-flags-world.com. Retrieved 2015-07-01.
  46. ^ "Flag of Uruguay". All-flags-world.com. Retrieved 2014-02-02.
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