As Republic Day approaches, we are seeing more and more saffron, white, and green. Any kid who is asked about the Indian flag will undoubtedly mention the tricolour.
Do our children, on the other hand, know about other national symbols? What is the national bird of India, for example? This Republic Day is an excellent opportunity to teach our children more about their country and its symbols.
Let’s look at the article below to study the national symbols and also some facts about India.
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National Symbols of India for Kids
This article introduces children to India’s National Identity Elements. These symbols are inextricably linked to Indian identity and culture. These National Symbols instil a sense of patriotism and pride in the hearts of Indians from all demographic backgrounds all over the world.
National Symbols for Kids with Names
Also Read: Best Indian Story Books for Children: From Mythological to Contemporary Stories
National Flag
Tiranga is another name for the Indian national flag. There are three stripes on it:
Orange – representing courage
White – which represents purity
Green – it represents fertility.
In the middle of the white stripe is a navy-blue chakra.
This is the Dharma Chakra, also known as the Law Wheel.
The National Emblem of India
The Indian government seal is based on Ashoka’s Sarnath Lion pillar. The words Satyameva Jayate, which means ‘truth alone triumphs,’ are written beneath it. This is the official letterhead of the government, and it will appear on all official documents.
Currency
In 2010, the government adopted the rupee symbol for official use on Indian bank notes and coins. The Devanagari ‘ra’ and English ‘r’ alphabets are represented graphically. It has two parallel lines at the top that resemble an equal sign.
National Anthem
Kids, we have all heard about Rabindranath Tagore who composed the Indian national anthem, Jana Gana Mana. It’s written in Bengali tatsama. In 1950, the Constituent Assembly declared it the national anthem.
* tatsama = Bengali in Sanskrit.
National Song
India’s national anthem is Vande Mataram. Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay penned the piece. It’s an ode to the goddess Durga as if she were India’s motherland.
Lyrics :
vande mātaram
sujalāṃ suphalāṃ
malayajaśītalām
śasya śyāmalāṃ
mātaram
vande mātaram
Meaning :
I show gratitude to thee, Mother,
richly-watered, richly-fruited,
cool with the winds of the south,
dark with the crops of the harvests,
The Mother!
I show gratitude to thee, Mother.
Flower
This sacred flower is mentioned numerous times in ancient Indian folklore. The lotus has a sacred place in the art of many ancient Indian cultures and religions.
Also Read: Indian Flag Drawing for Kids: Learn to Draw Indian Flag Like a Pro
Fruit
Mangoes are grown in India in over 100 different varieties. Emperor Akbar planted 10 lakh mango trees in Lakhi Baug, near modern-day Bihar, in the late 16th century!
Tree
Ficus benghalensis is a fig tree variety. Their roots descend from their branches to form entirely new trunks, making them immortal and sacred.
‘Treevia’
While meditating under a banyan tree, the Buddha is said to have attained nirvana.
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Animal
Panthera tigris has a thick orange coat with dark black stripes. It can be found in India and some neighbouring countries.
Trivia about Tigers
Because a tiger’s skin is also striped, you can still see a striped pattern if you shave it.
River, Aquatic Animal and Bird
The Ganga, or the Ganges, is India’s longest river, and its banks are among the world’s most fertile and densely populated areas.
The River Dolphin is India’s national aquatic animal. Platanista gangetica is a freshwater dolphin that symbolises the Ganga’s purity.
The swan-sized Pavo cristatus (also called The Indian Peacock) has a beautiful fan of plumes that it can fuel and unfurl to attract a mate.
Sports
Despite the fact that cricket is more popular, field hockey is India’s national sport. From 1928 to 1956, India won eight Olympic gold medals in a row, including six in a row.
Calendar of India
A Saka calendar is used in India in addition to the Gregorian calendar. Because the names of the months are taken from traditional Hindu lunisolar calendars, it is sometimes referred to as the Hindu calendar.
Also Read: Important Dates of Indian History: Importance and Division of History for Kids
Indian Symbols Facts with Craft Ideas for Kids
Tiranga
India’s national flag, known as the Tricolour of Tiranga in Hindi, was adopted in July 1947. The white, saffron and green bands are separated by a blue Ashoka Chakra in the middle of the white band.
The Republic Day Air Show, when planes fly through the sky leaving coloured smoke to correspond with the tricolour, is one of the most beautiful representations of the tricolour.
This Republic Day Air Show Collage is perfect for this special day, and it’s simple enough for even the youngest children to put together. To keep the glitter contained lay down a lot of newspaper first.
Tiger
The national animal of India is a magnificent creature that we are proud to have! Unfortunately, human encroachment and rampant hunting have resulted in a significant reduction in their numbers, though recent efforts to reverse the trend have shown promise. With the help of a fun craft like the Paper Plate Tiger, talk to your kids about saving the tiger. All you’ll need are some simple craft supplies and a lot of orange paint!
Peacock
The beautiful peacock is a symbol of India’s diverse culture and colourful heritage. The peacock appears in Hindu and Greek mythology, lending it a divine air to go with its beautiful plumage.
Peacock feathers are also widely used in India and have a variety of uses. It includes a cute and simple recycled CD peacock craft that preschoolers can make on their own.
The Ganga River
The Ganga is not only India’s most well-known river but also its longest! The number of visitors to this river, which has a lot of significance in Hindu mythology, grows every year, making it the world’s most populated river basin.
The Goddess Ganga books which are available in the market tell the story of how she arrived on Earth and made it her home. This book is perfect for kids who want to learn more about India’s national river thanks to its kid-friendly text and illustrations.
Also Read: Lal Bahadur Shastri Quotes & Thoughts for Kids: Learn about India’s Second PM
Banyan Tree
The Indian Banyan is probably the tree with the most legends and myths associated with it. It is said that it can shelter up to 7000 men under its massive canopy! The banyan can live for many years, giving it an immortal appearance.
Kids can beautifully capture the beauty of this tree in a quilled Banyan craft. This is a great project to try even if you’re new to quilling. At the very least, you can try out the basic tree and add the details later.
Conclusion
Kids learn best by doing, and crafts are a great way to learn while also having fun! Before you start, learn some trivia about each symbol so you can provide little tidbits of information as you go. With only a week until Republic Day, now is the perfect time to get started on these Indian National Symbol Crafts!
Our rituals and traditions are made more joyful and harmonious by every celebration. It is critical that we instil the value of national symbols in our children. The true meaning of our country’s heritage, cultures, and dedication should be taught to our children.
Encourage your children to read The Real School’s Of Montessori daily blogs to learn more about Indian culture.
Also Read: What is Robotics for Kids? Introduction of Electronics Lessons for Kids
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