National symbols of Nepal and National emblems of Nepal
Nepal is a landlocked country between China and India. Along Monarchy system was abolished and it is declared the Democratic Republic. The newly adopted constitutional government of Nepal has decided Cow as a national animal, Lophophorus as the national bird, and the Rhododendron as the national flower.
Well, there are no changes in animals, birds, flowers, and the flag even after Nepal was declared the Federal Democratic Republic. Only, the national anthem was changed.

Even Nepal is declared as a secular state, still most Nepalese are Hindus and they follow the Hindu cultures and norms. There had been major controversies in national flag and animals whether to change them or keep them among the major national parties of Nepal.
National Symbols and Emblems of Nepal
Cow as a National Animal of Nepal
The cow is the National Animal of Nepal. The cow is worshiped as the incarnation of Goddess Laxmi, the god of wealth by Hindus. So, there is huge respect for cows in Nepal. Many Nepalese in the Hilly and rural areas are found keeping cows as the most common domestic animal.

They are generally raised to get milk from where they make ghee, butter, and cheese and sell them in the market. So, the cow is also one of the sources of income for Nepalese people.
The cow is worshiped in Laxmi Puja every year which falls in the Tihar, one of the biggest festivals of Nepal. After the cow has been declared as a national animal, killing cows inside the country has been banned. If anyone is found doing such activities, he/she will be punished by the present constitution of Nepal.
Similarly, as nations have their flag, by and large, they are related to a commonplace animal that turns into its “national animal” and turns into a picture that distinguishes it. Winged animals and warm-blooded animals, in a general sense, can be symbols of various nations, which are typically ongoing of their fauna. They are identified with their history and their societies.
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To choose which species will speak to them universally, the nations depend on those that occupy the domain and are average of the biological system. There is likewise a national animal identified with folklore or culture.
Nepal is an antiquated state, and the way of life of this nation gives extraordinary consideration to the animal world. For instance, a cow, which the Hindus think about consecrated, is raised to the position of a national animal.
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What’s more, its picture alongside an excellent fowl of the Himalayan mountains – a bird enhances the insignia of the state. Nepalese love the dairy animals as the goddess of riches Lakshmi.
Normally, for the Nepalese individuals, who are primarily occupied with horticulture, the dairy animals are the representation of riches, since the richness of the land relies upon it. Margarine got from cow’s milk is customarily sent out to India. Slaughtering a cow is carefully disallowed by law.
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In this way, there can be no discussion about a hamburger dish. In any case, the most flawless and most nutritious item in bovine’s milk. In Nepal, dairy items are very esteemed. So, there is no doubt that Nepal’s national animal is the cow.
Why cow is selected to be the national animal of Nepal?
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It is trusted that the body of the cow stops around 330 million divine beings and goddesses. Aside from this celestial character, for Hindus, the cow speaks to wealth, ripeness, and nature, symbolizes the mother, and is the supplier of milk and different sustenances. In Nepal, dairy animals are ensured by law. No one sets out to murder a cow (it is likewise punished), however, neither to abuse it nor to abuse it.
Hinduism believes the bovine to be the most noteworthy being, and actually, it is rebirth before that of people. It symbolizes Mother Earth and its wealth, and by augmentation, richness.
Practically all the most significant divinities bear some connection to the animal, and their picture, dependably in perfect white, is steady in numerous sanctuaries. Legend has it that Surabhi, one of the numerous names of the exalted dairy animals, was sent to Earth by Krishna himself to sustain the kids with her nectar and to set up an association between the two universes.
In Nepal, the premise of the most widely recognized religions is Hinduism and Buddhism whose fundamental guideline isn’t hurting living animals (some religious gatherings don’t furrow the earth, inspired by a paranoid fear of harming the nightcrawlers).
The idea of ahimsa (non-hurting, “peacefulness”, “non-slaughtering”) emerged between the fifth and 6th hundreds of years of our time. What’s more, the dairy animals were never again butchered in around 200 AD. Subsequently, researchers reason this occurred affected by a far-reaching religious thought.
Presently, that holy character that Hinduism gives on cows reacts to religious reasons as well as secured by the realism of financial reasons. Nepal is a nation that is fundamentally horticultural and not industrialized.
This implies straightforwardly that animal footing is expected to furrow the land and for the remainder of the work in the field. If the cows were butchered, there would not be sufficient creatures to perform agrarian assignments. In the second spot is every one of the items that the dairy animals offer.
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Notwithstanding sustenance, milk, curds, cheeses, and spread, dairy animals’ excrement is a fuel with a high caloric limit, which is additionally utilized as compost, as a mosquito repellent, as an encasing, and as development material.
Pee is likewise utilized as a disinfectant and, as though this was insufficient, a cola drink has as of late been propelled available that has been broadly acknowledged, made with restorative herbs and bovine pee.
When a cow was declared as the national animal of Nepal?
Nepal’s national animal is the dairy animal since the year 1962. Without precedent for the Constitution of 1962, Nepal was characterized as the Rajashi Hindu country. The dairy animal was a consecrated creature before this. From this time current Nepalese patriotism additionally was conceived.
King Mahendra began the procedure of Hinduization of the Non-Hindu populace by giving the type of Nepal patriotism to the Hindu religion. Ruler Mahendra connected the rule ‘one nation, one attire, one language’ to all patriotism in Nepal.
Accordingly, with regards to Nepal, the topic of a cow isn’t only an issue of an animal. It is related to the planning of history when the Hindu state started to be set up in the present Nepal land. The impact of the Islamic State in India constrained the Hindu rulers to escape to the mountains. They set up numerous antiquated states in the mountains.
Afterward, King Prithvi Narayan Shah of Gorkha kingdom joined these states and made established present-day Nepal. The term Gorkha has been determined for the Sanskrit word Gaurakshya which implies the security of dairy animals.
The new constitution of 2015 has established and declared the cow as the national animal of Nepal.
Lophophores as the national bird of Nepal
Lophophorus also was known as Danphe, one of the most beautiful birds in Nepali is the Himalayan monal. Beautiful in the sense that it has a metallic color combination of green, purple, red, and green.
It is relatively large about 70 cm long. It is found in the high altitudes of Nepal in between 2400 and 4500 meters, generally in Hilly and the Himalayan region. In summer, you can see Daanfe in rocky, grass-covered meadows while in winter, you can see them in the coniferous and mixed forest.
It is an endangered species due to its poaching. So, Nepal has declared it as the national bird to protect it from being disappeared from the earth. No one is allowed to hunt this species in Nepal. It can tolerate snow and even find its food in the snow. It is even found in Himachal Pradesh of India, Pakistan, and Bhutan.

The national bird of Nepal is called Himalayan Monal or Danphe. This bird is found at the high altitudes of the Himalayan ranges and is considered an endangered species. It is rare to find as this bird is now only found in Nepal.
This bird belongs to the pheasant family of the bird species. This bird is beautiful to look at as it is composed of different colors. It has blue, green, red, violet, and other metallic colors on its body. It presents colorful colors in males but the colors lack in females.
Nepal is the home of the great Himalayas and a lot of Himalayan birds can be found here.
It is a relatively large-sized pheasant. The males are multicolored whereas the females are dull as many colors aren’t found in females. The male bird is more lovely to look at.
Danphe is relatively 70 centimeters long. The males are larger than the females. The males weigh heavier than females and they are about 2380 grams. They have a horny beak with coppery feathers.
The breeding season of this bird is from April to August where they generally form pairs during this time. It is mostly found in the Himalayas and it occupies the coniferous forests for food. It’s the most beautiful bird with a variety of colors.
Danphe is the bird of peace and it is the symbol of peace and harmony. It resembles the country as a country for peace and security. Many poachers do poaching and kill the bird for earning a lot of money as this bird is listed as one of the endangered species in the world.
The Birds are threatened with poaching and killing. The main threat to this species is poaching. The national bird of Nepal is unique and rare with beautiful features of its body indulged in varieties of colors.
It is made national because of its rareness and is full of vibrant and bright colors. Danphe has a rare existence in the world. The main beauty of this bird lies in its colorful feathers. But only the male has such colorful features.
Despite being the national bird, it’s very unfortunate that this beautiful bird is on the verge of disappearing. The number of these birds is lowering day by day, and it’s tragic to say that our Nepalese government is not doing anything to make the bird safe and not doing effective work to save this species.
The settlement of Danphe in Nepal is in Accham District located in the Ramaroshan area. The media and the people or locals who live there say that they rarely see the bird nowadays. It’s really sad to say that we hardly see the bird as well.
It would be a big shame for us if we don’t take timely actions for the bird’s conservation and preservation. Various public participation and the government should also implement different laws and policies for saving the national bird from extinction.
Hence, these birds are also tamed and found only in the mountain or Himalayan ranges. Having this beautiful bird as our national bird makes us proud to be Nepalese and we must save them. Likely these birds should be preserved and made available in every part of the country.
Rhododendron, the national flower of Nepal
The national flower of Nepal is Rhododendron. It is known as Laliguras in Nepali. It is often called rhodies. It is characterized by bushes and small to large trees.
The Laliguras is crimson red. This flower is popular all over the country and it is the native flower of Nepal. It is beautiful to look at and it is commonly known as ‘Rose tree’.

Rhododendron is declared the national follower of Nepal. It is known as Laligurans in Nepal. There are over 1000 species of Rhododendron in the world while more than 30 species are available in Nepal.
They are generally found in the altitudes between 2000 and 4000 m above sea level. In Nepal, the best month to view Laligurans is the month between March to June.
The honey taken out from rhododendron is toxic and not meant to eat. Rhododendron has a traditional value and religious look that is the main flower used during prayers and worships and they are used in temples as well.
Due to its popularity in many countries, the rhododendron is named the national flower of Nepal. Rhododendron has an eye-catching look and it is really beautiful to smell as well. According to pharmacologists, this flower is used in medicines and makes antioxidants.
The Nepali currency also has Laliguras printed. The Rhododendron symbolizes caution and danger. These flowers are tubular, funnel, or bell-shaped and often fragrant.
It is found in the Himalayas and mountains of Nepal. The Rhododendron plants are considered the kings of flowers as they are regarded by many as the best flowering plants for temperate landscapes.
There are many regions of Nepal where Rhododendron is found like Tamur river, Annapurna Base Camp, Langtang trek, etc. Rhododendrons easily grow in temperate and sub-temperate climates.
They are grown commercially for sale and are widely used for occasions and they are mainly used in decorating the gardens and different wedding areas. The main use of Rhododendron plants is in toxicology and pharmacology.
The national flower is used in various functions as it represents the nation. As said, Rhododendron is the flower for caution and danger, the people made this the national flower for representing themselves as brave.
Many people do trekking to different countries for Rhododendron. Most of the people trek to Tibet for getting this flower. There are more than 30 species of Rhododendron in Nepal.
This flower is found in different colors as white, red, and pink but the red one is considered as the national flower. Every species of this flower flourish itself In some seasons but some of them flourish the whole year.
The beauty of Rhododendron catches many tourists every year and it has made the economy of Nepal stronger. The hilly regions are painted red with the growth of Laliguras in the hills.
Hence in Nepal, The 1st of Baisakh is considered as New year as well as The Rhododendron Day. It is attractive and blooming. Rhododendron holds great importance to the country and the people as well in both spiritual and psychological ways. We must feel proud to have this attractive and blooming flower as the national flower of Nepal.
They are found in Langtang National Park, Dadeldhura, MilkeDanda, and Dakshinkali which is near Kathmandu valley. They have many uses in our daily life as they can be used as medicine to care for various diseases.
National Flag of Nepal
The national flag of Nepal is the only flag with two triangular faces and it’s a nonquadrilateral flag Nepal’s flag is unique. This pennant’s flag is the only flag in the world and its uniqueness has made it more blending in other countries.
The national flag is in crimson red and the symbols of the sun and the moon is made inside the flag. The national flag has a blue border with crimson red inside of it. The sun and the crescent moon resemble the bravery of the Nepalese and it is considered as the country will live until these are in the sky.

It’s such an honor to represent Nepal to the world with a unique flag. This National flag is our pride and our identity. Nepal’s national flag has a unique design in the world. It has three symbolic colors. They are crimson red which represents the courage of the brave Gurkhalis, blue which represents peace, cooperation, and friendship, and white which represents purity.
The actual meaning of having the sun and moon in the flag is that it has the meaning that Nepal will exist until the moon and the sun are in the sky. We should preserve the glory and pride of our National flag and protect the freedom and unity and freedom for the welfare and betterment of our motherland.
The National flag resembles the bravery of the Nepali soldiers. Nepal is a country with peace and security. The moon has eight rays with a crescent attached below and the sun has twelve rays.
The triangular shapes represent the Himalayas and mountains of the country’s scenic beauty. The moon also represents the soothing and calm nature of the Nepalese people and The sun represents the Terai where there are heat and high temperature.
A national flag is particularly representing a particular nation. It can also resemble the symbolic representation of the country. The national flag also provides pride for every nation.
The national flag is used for various programs while opening ceremonies. Before opening the program or any meetings, the national anthem and the national flag are put up first and great respect is given to them.
The national flags are important and very valuable to the people as we are Nepalese. our national flag isn’t rectangle in shape. Our national flag represents the serenity of the Nepalese people. Nepal is a sovereign country and will remain a sovereign country and it proudly represents its traditional flag as many other countries have removed their national flag like the British back in the centuries.
As said a king is not a king without its crown, the same goes for the country where a country is not a country without a national flag. The national flag is a sacred thing for all. The flag represents the freedom and rights with responsibilities of the people of a country.
Whenever we see a national flag high in the sky flattering, all we can think and feel proud of is the victory and hardships that we’ve done from the past to the present. Nepal’s national flag has a unique set of interpretations showing our marks to the world.
It is the only flag which isn’t in quadrilateral shape and this is the best thing which made it unique and famous all over the world. We must be proud of our flags flying high in the sky.
Before the modernization of the national flag, it had faces in the moon and the sun but later in 1962 AD, the faces were removed and there were no faces in the moon and sun.
One important thing is that the crescent moon is said to represent the royal house which had a kingdom later in our country. The national flag has crimson red which represents the national color of the country. The flag borrows the design that was in use about 2000 years ago in the past time.
Lastly, the national flag’s shape represents the historical design of the Hindu kingdom. The flag is royal and intended to be the authority of the people during the monarchy period.
Hence, we must respect our national flags and we all should love our nationalities with all our hearts and should highly conserve our national flags with duly respect.
Writer: Fazida Bunu, Niraj Thapa Magar
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