National symbols of Indonesia aresymbols that representRepublic of Indonesia. It can represent Indonesia as a nation,Indonesian people,culture, arts, and itsbiodiversity. The official symbols of Indonesia are officially recognise symbols that represent Indonesia and enforced through Indonesian laws. These symbols of the state that represent Indonesian nationhood areGaruda Pancasila,Merah-Putih flag,Indonesia Raya national anthem, andIndonesian language.
Other than these official national symbols of Indonesia, there are also other symbols that widely recognise and accepted to represent Indonesia, yet does not necessarily being enforced by Indonesian laws. However some symbols that previously unofficially recognised and had not enforced by law finally gain official recognition through law edict, such as Indonesian national flora and fauna that enforced by law in 1993.
Official national symbols of Indonesia are national symbols of Indonesia that represent Indonesian nationhood. These symbols are recognised as official symbols that represent Republic of Indonesia and usually displayed in Indonesian government institution buildings, Indonesian embassies,Indonesian passport, or held by Indonesian representatives in international events, such as diplomatic or sporting events. These national symbols are enforced through Indonesian laws. TheConstitution of Indonesia 1945 Chapter XV specifies the flag, official language, coat of arms, and national anthem of Indonesia.[1] The Indonesian law No. 24 year 2009 mentioned about the Indonesian flag, Indonesian language, national emblem of Indonesia, and national anthem of Indonesia.[2]
Garuda Pancasila is the national emblem of Indonesia.[3] It is aneagle- or hawk-like bird and the name of symbol derived fromGaruda, the mythical bird vehicle ofVishnu, one of the principaldeities ofHinduism. The current symbol are designed and officially recognised in 1950s. The Garuda's feathers represent the date of Indonesia's independence day which is 17 August 1945. The total feathers of the wings are 17 in each left and right wings. The total feathers in the tail are 8 and feathers of its neck are 45 in total.Indonesiannational emblem is theGaruda with aheraldic shield on its chest and a scroll gripped by its leg. The shield's five emblems representPancasila, the five principles of Indonesia's nationalphilosophy. Those five symbols of principle has its own meaning. First, the star in the middle symbolise sacred divinity, which means Indonesia is a state which is based on five recognised religions. Second, the chain with square and round links symbolises male and female as well as succession of generations of human beings that represent just and civilised humanity. Third, the bigberingin (banyan tree) with multitude of branches, leaves and roots symbolises diversity of Indonesian people that belongs into one organism, symbolises unity of Indonesia, as well as strong and steady stance and protection under the tree's shade. Fourth, the head of a buffalo symbolises the people power or democracy, since water buffalo is the important domesticated animal in Indonesian agricultural culture. The last one, rice and cotton ears as main grain yields in Indonesia symbolise the fulfilments of humans needs of food and clothing which means prosperity. The Garuda claws gripping a white ribbon scroll inscribed with the national mottoBhinneka Tunggal Ika written in black text, which can be loosely translated as "Unity in Diversity".Garuda Pancasila was designed bySultan Hamid II fromPontianak, supervised bySukarno.
Bhinneka Tunggal Ika is the official nationalmotto ofIndonesia. The phrase isOld Javanese translated as "Unity in Diversity,".[4] It is inscribed in the Indonesian national symbol,Garuda Pancasila (written on the scroll gripped by the Garuda's claws), and is mentioned specifically in article 36A of theConstitution of Indonesia.
It is a quotation from an Old Javanese poemKakawin Sutasoma, written by Mpu Tantular during the reign of theMajapahit empire sometime in the 14th century.Kakawin contains epic poems written inmetres. This poem is notable as it promotes tolerance betweenHindus (Shivaites) andBuddhists.[5]
The national flag of Indonesia, which is known asSang Merah Putih ("The Red-and-White") inIndonesian,[6] is based on the banner of the 13th centuryMajapahit Empire inEast Java. The flag itself was introduced and hoisted in public at theIndonesian Independence Day ceremony, on 17 August 1945. The design of the flag has remained the same ever since.
Indonesia Raya is thenational anthem of the Republic of Indonesia. The song was introduced by itscomposer,Wage Rudolf Supratman, on 28 October 1928 during the Second Indonesian Youth Congress inBatavia.[7] The song marked the birth of the all-archipelagonationalist movement in Indonesia that supported the idea of one single "Indonesia" as successor to theDutch East Indies, rather than split into several colonies.
Indonesian is the only official language of Indonesia, and Indonesia is the only country which uses this language as its official language. Since its inception inYouth Congress in 1928'sDutch East Indies, the function of Indonesian language is as the national identity, national pride, and unifying language among diverse Indonesian ethnic groups (which consist ofmore than 700 language groups), and also serves ascommunication vehicle among Indonesian from diverse provinces and different regional cultures in Indonesia.[2]
There are three categories offloral emblem that symbolise Indonesia:
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Indonesian animal emblems areIndonesian endemic fauna that gain the status as national animal symbol that represent Indonesia and describe Indonesianbiodiversity. Today there are three animals that gained the status as Indonesian animal emblems:
Next to national animal symbols, there are also more specific provincial animals emblems that represent each respectiveprovinces of Indonesia.
Indonesia's national gem isBatu Intan (Diamond)[8][failed verification], especiallyBatu Intan fromMartapura andCempaka, Banjarbaru.
Other than national symbols that officially represent Indonesia and enforced through law, there are also other symbols or icons that widely accepted to describes or represents Indonesia. It might derived from Indonesian monuments, the popular architecturallandmarks of Indonesia, or it might be some of popular aspects ofIndonesian culture.
Ibu Pertiwi (English:Mother Prithvi orMother Earth)[10] is anational personification ofIndonesia, the allegory ofTanah Air (Indonesian:land and water), the IndonesianMotherland. Ibu Pertiwi is a popular theme in Indonesian patriotic songs and poems and was mentioned in several of them, such as the song "Ibu Pertiwi" and "Indonesia Pusaka" . In the national anthem "Indonesia Raya" the lyrics"Jadi pandu ibuku" ("Become the scout/guide for my mother") is a reference to Ibu Pertiwi as the mother of Indonesian people.
Nusantara is anIndonesian word for theIndonesian archipelago.[11] It is originated fromOld Javanese"Nusa" and"Antara"."Nusa" literally meansIsland and"Antara" literally means "between". It is named like that becauseIndonesian archipelago is located between twocontinents (Asia andAustralia) and twooceans (Pacific Ocean andIndian Ocean)[12] The map of Indonesian archipelago often used to symbolise Indonesia, especially Indonesian territory.
Borobudur is one of the famouslandmark andmonument designated as national symbol.[citation needed] It is an important architectural wonder and alsoWorld Heritage site recognised byUNESCO. However the monument that represent Indonesian nationhood is actually theMonas inCentral Jakarta, although today it is mostly associated with the capitalJakarta instead. Other ancient temple ofPrambanan also might be used as national symbol, although often overshadowed by Borobudur.[citation needed]
Other vernaculararchitectural features that often used to describe Indonesia are pagoda like multi-tiered Meru roof ofBalinese temples, and traditional houses such asMinangkabau'sRumah Gadang andTorajan'sTongkonan.
Some of traditionalIndonesian culture, artworks, artforms, and traditions are often widely recognised and promoted to represent Indonesia. Some of popular Indonesian artforms areBalinese dance,Angklung,Wayang,Gamelan andKeris.
Batik,Kebaya andSongket are the most widely recognised Indonesian national costumes. These traditional costumes represent Indonesia and are derived fromIndonesian culture and Indonesian traditional textile traditions. National costumes are worn during official national functions as well as during traditional ceremonies. The most obvious display of Indonesian national costumes can be seen by the type of costumes worn byPresident of Indonesia and Indonesianfirst lady, and also by Indonesian diplomatic officials during gala dinners. The national costumes of Indonesia are also worn by guests attending Indonesian traditional wedding ceremonies.
For theculturally andethnically diverse nation such as Indonesia, thenational dishes are not just staple, popular orubiquitous dishes such asNasi Goreng,[13]Karedok[14] orGado-gado.[15] It may also be considered as the dishes that transcend cultural and ethnics differences, yet still retain commonIndonesian cuisine traits. It has to be able to cross boundaries of diverse Indonesian culture and ethnic groups. As a result, it is impossible to nominate a single national dish of Indonesia.Sate[16] andSoto[17] are good examples of Indonesian national dishes, since there is no singular satay or soto recipes. Both dishes have myriad variations and recipes and are adopted regionally across Indonesia.
