National symbols of Switzerland are the symbols used to represent Switzerland. As of 2020 the Swiss legislature has made three Swiss national symbols official, a flag, coat of arms, and anthem, but various other symbols are used as well to represent the Swiss people.

Official national symbols

Symbol Image Notes
National flag Flag of Switzerland
[1][2] Current design in official use since 1841
National coat of arms Coat of Arms of Switzerland
[3] Current design in official use since 1889
National anthem Swiss Psalm
Swiss Psalm
Audio sample
National symbols of Switzerland
 [4][5][6] Preceded by Rufst du, mein Vaterland. Officially in use since 1981

Unofficial national symbols

Symbol Image Notes and source
National motto One for all, all for one (Unus pro omnibus, omnes pro uno)
[7] Traditional and widespread, but not yet official. It has been recognized and used by various Swiss presidents. German: Einer für alle, alle für einen; French: Un pour tous, tous pour un; Italian: Uno per tutti, tutti per uno; Romansh: In per tuts, tuts per in.
National personification Helvetia
[8][9] Unofficial, but shown on the national currency and stamps
National flower Edelweiss (Leontopodium nivale)
[10][11] Widely accepted as the Swiss national flower. Has been used on money, rank badges, and insignia and is depicted on the logo of the national tourism organization (myswitzerland.com)
Alphorn is associated with Swiss music and Swiss culture

Other Swiss symbols

Switzerland currently does not have a national animal, but the animal most commonly associated with Switzerland, or Alpine culture in general, is the cow.[12] However, various other animals have been used to represent the Swiss nation, such as the marmot, ibex, St. Bernhard, and blackbird.[13][14][15] There are also a handful of cantons who use a certain animal as symbol. These include the bear, bull, ram, ibex, lion, and eagle. Other popular Swiss symbols worth mentioning may include Swiss cheese, Swiss chocolate, Rösti, and the Swiss Army knife.

References

  1. ^ "Swiss flag". www.eda.admin.ch. Retrieved 2020-04-17.
  2. ^ "Flag of Switzerland". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2020-04-17.
  3. ^ "CC 232.21 Federal Act of 21 June 2013 on the Protection of the Swiss Coat of Arms and Other Public Signs (Coat of Arms Protection, CAPA)". www.admin.ch. Retrieved 2020-04-17.
  4. ^ "Swiss Psalm". www.swisspsalm.ch. Retrieved 2020-04-17.
  5. ^ "Swiss Anthem (english)". www.about.ch. Retrieved 2020-04-17.
  6. ^ "Switzerland – nationalanthems.info". www.nationalanthems.info. Retrieved 2020-04-17.
  7. ^ Barrile. ""Einer für alle / Alle für einen" – meine 1. August-Rede". Angelo Barrile (in German). Retrieved 2020-04-17.
  8. ^ "Helvetia personified, Oak Leaves and Alpine Rose: How in 1875 Swiss emancipated its Franc from the French Role Model with explicit Alpine Connotation and Democratic Topics | moneymuseum.com". www.moneymuseum.com. Retrieved 2020-04-17.
  9. ^ "Standing Helvetia Issue of Switzerland". Mintage World. 2018-09-11. Retrieved 2020-04-17.
  10. ^ "What Is The National Flower of Switzerland?". WhatsAnswer. 2018-02-01. Retrieved 2020-04-17.
  11. ^ swissinfo.ch, Gemma d'Urso in Geneva. "The Edelweiss – Switzerland's national flower?". SWI swissinfo.ch. Retrieved 2020-04-17.
  12. ^ "Switzerland's iconic cow". House of Switzerland. Retrieved 2020-04-17.
  13. ^ "What Is the National Animal of Switzerland?". Reference. Retrieved 2020-04-17.
  14. ^ "Swiss Bestiary". Wall Street International. 2017-10-28. Retrieved 2020-04-17.
  15. ^ Misicka, Susan. "Switzerland's 'Big Four' animals on display in Zurich". SWI swissinfo.ch. Retrieved 2020-04-17.
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