National symbols of Germany - texts and photos

§ National flags of Germany and flags of the federated states

The main national symbols of any country are: its flag, coat of arms and anthem; they are the symbols of national unity. The recognized colours of the national flag of Germany, as written in the Constitution of the country, are black, red and gold. All of these symbols root back to the mid-19th century. The picture below features the national flag and coat of arms of Germany.

Each federated state of Germany has their own flag and their own coat of arms, they can be viewed on dedicated pages of the website, along with a description of each federated state:

• Flag and coat of arms of the Baden-Württemberg
• Flag and coat of arms of the Bavaria
• Flag and coat of arms of the Berlin
• Flag and coat of arms of the Brandenburg
• Flag and coat of arms of the Bremen
• Flag and coat of arms of the Hamburg
• Flag and coat of arms of the Hesse
• Flag and coat of arms of the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
• Flag and coat of arms of the Lower Saxony
• Flag and coat of arms of the North Rhine-Westphalia
• Flag and coat of arms of the Rhineland-Palatinate
• Flag and coat of arms of the Saarland
• Flag and coat of arms of the Saxony
• Flag and coat of arms of the Saxony-Anhalt
• Flag and coat of arms of the Schleswig-Holstein
• Flag and coat of arms of the Thuringia

§ National Anthem of Germany in English and German

The third stanza of the song called “The Song of the Germans” (in German: Das Lied der Deutschen), verses by August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben, music by Joseph Haydn, was adopted as the words to the national anthem of Germany. Below are the lyrics of the anthem in German and their translation into English.

§ Official national colours of Germany

The official national colours of Germany are: black, red and gold; these are the colours of the national flag of the country, they are specified in the Basic Law or the Constitution of the country. The colours used for various national symbols are usually taken from these three colours, either combined with each other or one colour individually. For example, the eagle, as a symbol of the country, is used by various government agencies and is usually depicted only in black, while some other symbols are presented in gold or red. Below you will find the Germany distinctive colours codes in the RGB-HEX colour scheme.

§ Orders, decorations and awards in Germany

As a homage for merits, in Germany, as in many other countries, people are awarded orders or other badges of honor: orders of merits for the state, the Silver Laurel Leaf, and others. The list below presents the orders and decorations awarded by the President of the country. Samples of these orders can be viewed on the website of the Federal President of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Orders/Decorations and awards in Germany

• Verdienstorden- the Order of Merit, in the form of a medal, cross or star;
• Silbernes Lorbeerblatt - the Silver Laurel Leaf, Germany's highest sports achievement award;
• Orden Pour le mérite - the German Order of Merit For Science and Art;
• das Grubenwehr-Ehrenzeichen - a Mine Rescue Honor Medal for special merits in mine rescue operations;
• Zelter-Plakette - a medal for the 100th anniversary of choral associations;
• PRO MUSICA-Plakette - a medal for the 100th anniversary of musical associations;
• Eichendorff-Plakette - a commemorative medal for the 100th anniversary of Hiking and Mountain Hiking Associations;
• Sportplakette - a medal for the 100th anniversary of sports associations.

§ Cities as national symbols of Germany

Berlin is the capital and largest city in the country, so it is also a symbol of the country. However, there are other major cities and metropolitan areas, in Germany that are cultural and historical centers of the country. You can find a list of major cities on a dedicated page of our website.

§ Buildings as national symbols of Germany

A number of world famous buildings or structures in Germany are also national symbols of the country. Some of them are well known, others are mentioned but seldom. The list of the buildings and architectural structures, monuments, castles, being the national symbols, is presented below.

• Brandenburger Tor (Brandenburg Gate) - Berlin's ancient city gate with a chariot at the top
• Frankfurter Paulskirche (St. Paul's Church) - St. Paul's Church in Frankfurt am Main, built in the 18-19th centuries
• Hambacher Schloss (Hambach Castle) - a castle in the city of Neustadt, Rhineland-Palatinate - a symbol of the German democratic movement
• Kölner Dom (Cologne Cathedral) - a Gothic cathedral in Cologne, one of the tallest churches in the world, is a World Cultural Heritage Site
• Wartburg (Wartburg Castle) - a monument of cultural and historical heritage of the country, a World Cultural Heritage Site
• Schloss Neuschwanstein (Neuschwanstein Castle) - the Castle of the Bavarian King Ludwig II in Bavaria
• Reichstagsgebäude (Reichstag) - the Reichstag building, the seat of the German Parliament
• Berliner Siegessäule (Victory Column) - The victory column in Berlin on the Great Star Square

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  Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria

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  Brandenburg Gate, Berlin

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  Reichstag building in Berlin

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  Wartburg Castle, Thuringia

§ National mottos, slogans of Germany

Mottos are usually short phrases, slogans, or words that define aspirations or shared values. Mottos are usually used on national symbols, such as coats of arms, as well as on coins and banknotes. The most common motto in the country is the very first words from the national anthem: "Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit", which are translated into English as: "Unity and Justice and Freedom". The list below features other mottos or slogans in German that are used in Germany and associated with national symbols, along with their translation into English.

National mottos, slogans of Germany

• "Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit" (Unity and Justice and Freedom) - the national motto, the incipit of the German anthem
• "Made in Germany" (Made in Germany) - marking products made in Germany as synonymous with high quality products
• "Gott mit uns" (God be with us) - formerly in the German Empire
• "Wir schaffen das!" (We can do it!) - is an assertion often made by the German Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel
• "Meine Damen und Herren" (Ladies and gentlemen!) - often used in speeches of politicians for a speech opening

§ National holidays in Germany

In Germany, there are 9 national holidays per year, the federated states independently establish additional holidays of their own. The main holiday of Germany, associated with the national unity, is the "Tag der Deutschen Einheit" - the German Unity Day, which is annually celebrated on October 3. Unlike other countries where the national holiday is the Independence Day, in Germany the main national holiday is associated with the unification of the Eastern and Western parts of the country, which became separate countries after the Second World War; the unification of the German Democratic Republic and the German Federal Republic took place on October 3, 1990. You will find a calendar and a list of all national holidays in Germany on a dedicated page of our website.

§ Animals as national symbols of Germany

The eagle is one of the oldest state symbols of power, it was used as far back as during the reign of the Roman rulers. The eagle is still the state symbol of Germany. It is depicted both on the coat of arms and on its own, without the coat of arms; the eagle is also depicted on buildings of state institutions, on coins and in other places.

§ Other symbols of Germany

Below are listed other symbols of Germany.

• Oak leaf - a political and military symbol, can be seen on coins.
• Cross pattée or Iron Cross - the symbol of the Bundeswehr, the modern German armed forces.
• The Nibelungenlied translated as The Song of the Nibelungs – a national epic poem.
• Germania – a female image, a national allegorical symbol, the personification of the German nation or the Germans as a whole.

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  An oak leaf on a German coin

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  The statue of Germania atop the Niederwalddenkmal in the Rhine valley