Symbols and Identity

Flags, emblems, anthems and what it means to be British.

All Topics Culture and Media 13 Daily Life 37 Festivals and Holidays 24 Food and Drink 51 Geography and Landscape 20 Government and Law 7 History 13 Landmarks and Attractions 9 Language 6 Money and Economy 10 Nature and Wildlife 7 Royalty and the Monarchy 12 Sport and Leisure 15 Symbols and Identity 9 Traditions and Customs 21 Transport 6
Coat of Arms

The Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom: the lion and unicorn shield seen on courtrooms, passports and government documents across…

Symbols and Identity
Heraldry

The medieval system of hereditary coats of arms, still regulated in Britain by the College of Arms — and still, legally, a…

Symbols and Identity
National Emblems and Flowers

The floral emblems of the four nations — the rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock — each with its own legend and its…

Symbols and Identity
National Symbols

The emblems of Britain and its four nations — flags, flowers, animals and patron saints — most of which belong to one…

Symbols and Identity
Nationality and National Identity

What people in Britain call themselves — British, English, Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish — and why the answer is rarely a…

Symbols and Identity
The National Anthem

"God Save the King": Britain's national anthem since the 1740s, sung at state occasions and sporting fixtures, and never formally adopted by…

Symbols and Identity
The Three Lions

The three gold lions on a red field: the royal arms of England since the twelfth century, worn today on the England…

Symbols and Identity
The Union Flag

The national flag of the United Kingdom, combining the crosses of Saint George, Saint Andrew and Saint Patrick. Commonly called the Union…

Symbols and Identity
The Welsh Dragon

Y Ddraig Goch, the red dragon on the Welsh flag: one of the oldest national symbols in the world, and pointedly absent…

Symbols and Identity

← Back to the full A to Z of Britain