national symbol

{{Short description|Symbol of any entity considering and manifesting itself to the world as a national community}}

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File:UN Members Flags.JPGs of United Nations members flown outside the UN Headquarters. Flags are a common national symbol used by sovereign states.]]

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A national symbol is a manifestation of a nation or community, serving as a representation of their identity and values. National symbols may be not only applied to sovereign states but also nations and countries in a state of colonial or other forms of dependence, federal integration, or even ethnocultural communities that identify as a "nationality" despite lacking autonomy.{{cite web|url=http://www.england.org.za/national-symbols.php|title=England's National Symbols|publisher=england.org.za|quote=National symbols are defined as the symbols or icons of a national community (such as England), used to represent that community in a way that unites its people.|access-date=18 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024114941/http://www.england.org.za/national-symbols.php|archive-date=24 October 2012|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}

National symbols intend to unite individuals by creating visual, verbal, or iconic representations of the national people, values, goals, culture and/or history. These symbols are often rallied around as part of celebrations of patriotism and/or aspiring nationalism (such as independence, autonomy, and/or separation movements) and are designed to be inclusive and representative of all the people of the national community.