Thenational symbols of Serbia are things which are emblematic, representative or otherwise characteristic ofSerbia, itspeople or itsculture. Some are established, official symbols; theflag, thecoat of arms and thenational anthem, are all sanctioned in theConstitution of Serbia. Other symbols may not have official status, for one reason or another, but are likewise recognised and emblematic at a national or international level.
| Type | Image | Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| National flag |  | The nationalflag of Serbia is a horizontaltricolour of red, blue, and white with thelesser coat of arms placed left of center. The same tricolour, in altering variations, has been used since 1835. |
| Coat of arms |  | The nationalcoat of arms of Serbia was adopted in 2004 and is based on the original used during theKingdom of Serbia. It consists of two main heraldic symbols which represent the identity of the Serbian state and Serbian people across the centuries: the Serbian eagle (a silver double-headed eagle adopted from the Nemanjić dynasty) and the Serbian cross (or cross with firesteels). |
| National anthem |  Problems playing this file? Seemedia help. | Bože pravde (God of Justice) is the current national anthem of Serbia. It was first adopted in 1882 and had been the national anthem of the Kingdom of Serbia until 1918. It was readopted in 2006 with slightly modified original lyrics, asserting that Serbia is no longer a monarchy - all the verses that had a monarchist overtone were changed. |
| Type | Image | Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| National colours |  | Thenational colours of Serbia are red, blue and white, as appeared on thecivil flag of Serbia, being commonly called thetricolour.[1][2] Red-blue-white sash is used for various purposes: as a cloth sash worn by municipal official conducting civic marriage; memorial wreaths are commonly adorned with tricolour sash; tricolour ribbon is cut at ceremonial event marking the official opening of a newly constructed location or the start of an event.Jemstvenik is a string made of red, blue and white strands that is used to tie together official documents. |
| National symbol |  | TheSerbian cross is based on thetetragramme, a Byzantine symbol. It is in use since 14th century and in modern times have been part of the coat of arms of Serbia. Serbian cross consists of a cross and four firesteels pointing outwards. Serbian tradition interprets the four firesteels as fourCyrillic letters "S" (С), for the motto "Only Unity Saves the Serbs". |
| Heraldic symbol |  | TheSerbian eagle, adouble-headed white eagle is a heraldic symbol with a long history inSerbian heraldry, originating from the medievalNemanjić dynasty.[3] In modern times it have been part of the coat of arms of Serbia andOrder of the White Eagle has been state decoration both inKingdom of Serbia and contemporary Republic of Serbia. The Serbian national teams in team sports are nicknamed "the Eagles" in reference to the Serbian eagle, while theSerbian national football team in addition uses a stylized Serbian eagle as its emblem.[4] |
| National motto | Само слога Србина спасава | The phrase"Only Unity Saves the Serbs" is a popular motto and slogan in Serbia and among Serbs, often used as a rallying call during times of national crisis and against foreign domination. The phrase is an interpretation of what is taken to be four Cyrillic letters for "S" (written like Latin "C") on the Serbian cross (SamoslogaSrbinaspasava). |
| National personification | .jpg) | Mother Serbia is the female personification of the nation and the metaphoric mother of allSerbs.[5] Serbian national myths and poems constantly invoke Mother Serbia.[6] Most notable depictions of Mother Serbia are found inBelgrade andKruševac, both sculpted byĐorđe Jovanović. Her depiction is also used on theSerbian identity card. |
| Salute |  | Thethree-finger salute is a salute which the thumb, index finger, and middle finger are extending. It originally expressed theHoly Trinity, used in oath-taking, and a symbol ofSerbian Orthodoxy, while today simply is agesture, distinctive sign for the ethnic Serb and a symbol for belonging to the Serbian nation.[7] It is used in wide variety of events: from street demonstrations and celebrations, election campaign rallies, to sporting events and personal celebrations.[8] |
| Patron saint |  | Saint Sava, also known as Rastko Nemanjić, was a 13th-century Serbian prince andOrthodox monk,founder and first Archbishop of theSerbian Orthodox Church. AtAthos peninsula in Greece, where he became a monk with the nameSava (Sabbas), he established the monastery ofHilandar, the most important Serbian medieval cultural and religious center. Sava authored the oldest known constitution of Serbia, theZakonopravilo and is regarded the founder ofSerbian medieval literature. Widely considered as one of the most important figures of Serbian history, he is honored as the patron saint of Serbia as well as the Serbian education system.[9] |
| Fathers of the Nation |  | Đorđe Petrović, better known by his sobriquetKarađorđe and by his revolutionary title "the Leader" (Vožd), is a Serbian revolutionary who led the struggle for Serbia's liberation and independence from theOttoman Empire during theFirst Serbian Uprising. He is the founder of thehouse of Karađorđević and bears the honorific title Father of the Nation.[10]Order of Karađorđe's Star is one of the highest state decorations in Serbia. |
 | Miloš Obrenović, also known as Miloš the Great (Miloš Veliki), is a Serbian revolutionary who led the struggle for Serbia's liberation and independence from the Ottoman Empire during theSecond Serbian Uprising. He is the founder of thehouse of Obrenović and bears the honorific title Father of the Nation.[11] | |
| National animal |  | Thegrey wolf is greatly linked to Serbian mythology and cults.[12][13] In theSerbian epic poetry, the wolf is a symbol of fearlessness.[14]Vuk ("Wolf") is one of the most common Serbian male names, the 3rd most popular name for boys in Serbia in 2021.[15] The wolf is also used as a heraldic symbol, such as on the coat of arms ofMerošina andBajina Bašta municipalities. |
| National bird |  | Theeastern imperial eagle is the national bird of Serbia. It inspired thedouble-headed Serbian eagle in heraldry.[16][3] |
| National tree |  | Theoak is a national tree of Serbia.[17] The oak branch has been part of the coat of arms of thePrincipality of Serbia andSocialist Republic of Serbia, symbolizing strength and longevity. During times of Ottoman occupation, when no churches could be built, people prayed under oak trees where they would carve a cross,zapis; some of these oaks are over 600 years old and are considered sacred.[18] The oak is used in theSerbian Christmas tradition ofBadnjak. |
| National flower |   | The plant was scientifically described in 1884 from specimens growing in the southeastern Serbia, bySava Petrović andJosif Pančić, who named it after QueenNatalija Obrenović. TheNatalie's ramonda flower is considered a symbol of Serbia's struggle and victory inWorld War I, with country sufferingthe largest casualty rate relative to its population.[19] During week leading up toArmistice Day, which is a public holiday, people wear badge which combines the ramonda and the green-and-blackCommemorative Medal of the Great Serbian Retreat ribbon as a symbol of remembrance.[20] This tradition is similar to the wearing of the remembrance poppy in the Commonwealth countries. |
| National fruit |  | Plum and its products are of great importance to Serbs and part of numerous customs.[21] Serbia is world's second largest producer of the fruit with the hilly region ofŠumadija particularly known for its plums.[22][23] |
| National drink |  | Slivovitz, plum brandy, is the national drink of Serbia. The name "slivovitz" is derived from the name of the drink in Serbian,šljivovica.[24] Serbia is the third largest producer of slivovitz in the world and has aprotected designation of origin.[25] Traditionally, slivovitz (often referred simply to asrakija) is connected to Serbian culture as a drink used at numerous folk remedies (such as the patron saint celebration,slava) and is given certain degree of respect above all other alcoholic drinks. |
| National dishes | .jpg) | Serbian cuisine includespljeskavica (grilled dish consisting of a mixture of spiced minced pork, beef and lamb meat),ćevapčići (grilled dish of minced meat),gibanica (an egg and cheese pie made with filo dough), andKarađorđeva šnicla (breaded cutlet dish of veal or pork steak, stuffed withkajmak). |
| National monument |  | TheChurch of Saint Sava is one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world and by gross volume among fifteenlargest church buildings in the world. It is dedicated to Saint Sava and built where theOttomans burnt his remains in 1594, during an uprising in which Serbs used icons of Saint Sava as their war flags. It is the most monumental building inBelgrade and dominates its cityscape. |
| National art |  | TheWhite Angel,fresco, dated c. 1235, painted by an unknown author in theMileševa monastery. Considered one of the most beautiful works of Serbian and European art from theHigh Middle Ages, depicting the arrival of the myrrhbearers at the tomb of Christ, after the events of the Crucifixion. Sitting on the stone is theAngel of the Lord dressed in a white chiton, whose arm shows the place of Christ's resurrection, and his empty tomb.[26][27] |
 | TheKosovo Maiden, painted by RealistUroš Predić in 1919, depicts the aftermath of theBattle of Kosovo in 1389 between Serbia and theOttoman Empire and is the artistic interpretation of an epic poem "Kosovo Maiden", part of theKosovo cycle in theSerbian epic poetry. In it, a young beauty searches the battlefield for her betrothed fiancé and helps wounded Serbian warriors with water, wine and bread, finally founding the wounded and dying warriorPavle Orlović who tells her that her fiancéMilan Toplica and his blood-brothersMiloš Obilić andIvan Kosančić are dead. | |
 | TheMigration of the Serbs is a set of four similaroil paintings made byPaja Jovanović between 1896 and 1945. It depict theSerbs, led byArchbishopArsenije III, fleeingOld Serbia during theGreat Serb Migration of 1690–91. It holds iconic status in Serbian popular culture. | |
| National instrument |  | Thegusle is abowed single-stringed musical instrument made ofmaple wood. It is always accompanied by singing, specificallySerbian epic poetry, by thebards, calledguslari, usually in thedecasyllablemeter. Theguslar holds the instrument vertically between his knees, with the left hand fingers on the strings. The strings are never pressed to the neck, giving a harmonic and unique sound. Singing to the accompaniment of thegusle as a part of Serbia's intangible cultural heritage was inscribed on theUNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.[28][29][30] |
| Folk costume |  | The most commonfolk costume of Serbia is that of Šumadija. It includesšajkača (hat with a V-shaped top, typically black or grey in colour, made of soft, homemade cloth) andopanci (footwear with low back, curved peak at front, with woven front upper, a low back and leather ties).[31][32][33][34] |
| Folk dance |  | Kolo is a Serbian circle folk dancing. It is usually performed amongst groups of at least three people and up to several dozen people with dancers holding each other's hands and forming a circle, a single chain or multiple parallel lines.[35] The most popular varieties include "Užičko kolo" and "Moravac".[36] |
| Cultural practice |  | Slava is a tradition of the ritual of glorification of one's family's patron saint, celebrating annually on the saint'sfeast day. The tradition is an important marker of Serbian identity with traditional slogan saying "Where there is a slava, there is a Serb". The most common feast days areSt. Nicholas (Nikoljdan, 19 December),St. George (Đurđevdan, 6 May),St. John the Baptist (Jovanjdan, 20 January),St. Demetrius (Mitrovdan, 8 November),St. Michael (Aranđelovdan, 21 November) andSt. Sava (Savindan, 27 January). |
Srpska trobojka: crveno-plavo-belo
Отац Отаџбине Св. Сава је надахнуо Немањи- ну државу идеалима хришћанског патриотизма и створио слободну цркву у слободној држави. Држа- ва је Отечество – земља мојих ота- ца. Држава не сме да буде импери- ја, јер где ...
ОТАЦ ОТАЏБИНЕ – КАРАЂОРЂЕ ПЕТРОВИЋ
да се на престо српски поврати њен ослободилац и оснивалац: Отац Отаџбине, Милош Обреновић Велики,
Вук као митска животиња дубо- ко је везан за балканску и српску митологију и култове. Заправо, то је животиња која је била распрострањена у јужнословенским крајевима и која је представљала сталну опасност како за стоку ...
Тако стоји и еа осталим атрибутима деспота Вука. Позната је ствар, да и вук (животиња) има зпатну улогу у митологији…У старој српској ре- лигији и митологији вук је био табуирана и тотемска животиња.
The oak, symbol of Serbia, symbolized strength, longevity, and the olive branch represented peace and fertility
Although the wandering guslari no longer exist, the gusle is considered the national instrument of Serbia, and many village men know how to play it. Almost without exception, all villagers can recite parts of the ballads and children learn them ...
As for the Serbs, the Montenegrin national instrument is the gusle — a single-horsehair wooden instrument stroked with a horsehair bow. The most important function of the instrument is to provide accompaniment for the singing of oral ...
Sung by bards to the accompaniment of the gusle, the epics reminded the Serbs of their medieval states and promised them a better future. The clergy, hajduks, craftsmen, and ordinary men sang to the gusle. At home, at church gatherings, ...
They played newly composed folk music as well as kolos such as Uzicko kolo, a very popular dance melody from Serbia. The dance, one of the musical ethnic symbols of Serbia; might allude to Serbian ethnicity; otherwise we did not find any ...
