National Symbols
Instructions: Can you match these national symbols to their countries?
- 1.
The bald eagle is the national bird of which country?
AMexicoBUnited StatesCCanadaDRussia - 2.
Which country has the maple leaf as its national symbol?
AJapanBFinlandCNorwayDCanada - 3.
The kangaroo and emu appear on which country's coat of arms?
APapua New GuineaBNew ZealandCSouth AfricaDAustralia - 4.
What flower is the national symbol of Japan?
ASakuraBLotusCOrchidDChrysanthemum - 5.
Which country's national animal is the giant panda?
AJapanBChinaCIndiaDThailand - 6.
The shamrock is a symbol of which country?
AScotlandBWalesCIrelandDEngland - 7.
Which country features a dragon on its national flag?
AVietnamBMongoliaCBhutanDNepal - 8.
The fleur-de-lis is historically associated with which country?
ASpainBBelgiumCItalyDFrance - 9.
Which country has the Bengal tiger as its national animal?
ANepalBMyanmarCIndiaDBangladesh - 10.
The kiwi bird is the national symbol of which country?
AFijiBAustraliaCSamoaDNew Zealand - 11.
Which country uses the cedar tree as its national emblem, featured on its flag?
ACyprusBLebanonCSyriaDJordan - 12.
The springbok is the national animal of which country?
ANamibiaBKenyaCSouth AfricaDTanzania - 13.
Which country's national flower is the tulip?
ABelgiumBTurkeyCNetherlandsDDenmark - 14.
The quetzal bird is the national symbol of which Central American country?
APanamaBCosta RicaCGuatemalaDHonduras - 15.
Which country features an eagle eating a snake on its flag?
AMexicoBSerbiaCEgyptDAlbania
Answer Key
The bald eagle has been the national emblem of the United States since 1782, chosen for its long life, great strength, and majestic appearance.
The maple leaf has been a symbol of Canada since the 18th century and has appeared on the Canadian flag since 1965.
Australia's coat of arms features a kangaroo and an emu, both chosen because they are animals that cannot walk backward, symbolizing a nation moving forward.
The chrysanthemum is the official seal and symbol of the Japanese Imperial Family. The cherry blossom (sakura) is also culturally significant but the chrysanthemum is the imperial symbol.
The giant panda is China's national animal and has been used as a symbol of Chinese diplomacy ('panda diplomacy') since the 1950s.
The shamrock is a well-known symbol of Ireland. According to legend, Saint Patrick used the three-leafed plant to explain the Holy Trinity to the Irish people.
Bhutan's flag features a white dragon called the Druk (Thunder Dragon). The country's name in the local Dzongkha language means 'Land of the Thunder Dragon.'
The fleur-de-lis (lily flower) has been associated with French royalty since the 12th century and remains a symbol of France today.
India adopted the Bengal tiger as its national animal in 1973, replacing the lion. The tiger represents grace, strength, agility, and power.
The kiwi is a flightless bird native to New Zealand and is so closely associated with the country that New Zealanders themselves are often called 'Kiwis.'
Lebanon features a green cedar tree on its flag. The cedars of Lebanon are mentioned numerous times in the Bible and have been a symbol of the region for thousands of years.
The springbok, a type of antelope, is the national animal of South Africa. The South African rugby team is famously named the 'Springboks.'
While tulips originally came from Central Asia and were cultivated in the Ottoman Empire, the tulip became the national flower of the Netherlands, which is world-famous for its tulip fields.
The resplendent quetzal is the national bird of Guatemala. The country's currency is also named after this bird, and the quetzal was sacred to the ancient Maya and Aztec peoples.
Mexico's flag features an eagle perched on a prickly pear cactus, devouring a snake. This image is based on an Aztec legend about the founding of Tenochtitlan.