National symbols of Indonesia

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. The Constitution 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 an eagle- or hawk-like bird and the name of symbol derived from Garuda, the mythical bird vehicle of Vishnu, one of the principal deities of Hinduism. 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. Indonesian national emblem is the Garuda with a heraldic shield on its chest and a scroll gripped by its leg. The shield's five emblems represent Pancasila, the five principles of Indonesia's national philosophy. 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 big beringin (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 motto Bhinneka Tunggal Ika written in black text, which can be loosely translated as "Unity in Diversity". Garuda Pancasila was designed by Sultan Hamid II from Pontianak, supervised by Sukarno.

Bhinneka Tunggal Ika is the official national motto of Indonesia. The phrase is Old 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 the Constitution of Indonesia.

It is a quotation from an Old Javanese poem Kakawin Sutasoma, written by Mpu Tantular during the reign of the Majapahit empire sometime in the 14th century. Kakawin contains epic poems written in metres. This poem is notable as it promotes tolerance between Hindus (Shivaites) and Buddhists.^[5]

The national flag of Indonesia, which is known as Sang Merah Putih ("The Red-and-White") in Indonesian,^[6] is based on the banner of the 13th century Majapahit Empire in East Java. The flag itself was introduced and hoisted in public at the Indonesian Independence Day ceremony, on 17 August 1945. The design of the flag has remained the same ever since.

Indonesia Raya is the national anthem of the Republic of Indonesia. The song was introduced by its composer, Wage Rudolf Supratman, on 28 October 1928 during the Second Indonesian Youth Congress in Batavia.^[7] The song marked the birth of the all-archipelago nationalist movement in Indonesia that supported the idea of one single "Indonesia" as successor to the Dutch 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 in Youth Congress in 1928's Dutch East Indies, the function of Indonesian language is as the national identity, national pride, and unifying language among diverse Indonesian ethnic groups (which consist of more than 700 language groups), and also serves as communication vehicle among Indonesian from diverse provinces and different regional cultures in Indonesia.^[2]

There are three categories of floral emblem that symbolise Indonesia:

1. National flower (Indonesian: Puspa bangsa) of Indonesia is Melati putih (Jasminum sambac)^[8]
2. Flower of charm (Indonesian: Puspa pesona) is Anggrek Bulan (Moon Orchid) (Phalaenopsis amabilis)^[9]
3. Rare flower (Indonesian: Puspa langka) is Padma Raksasa Rafflesia (Rafflesia arnoldii). All three were chosen on World Environment Day in 1990.^[8] On the other occasion Bunga Bangkai (Titan arum) was also added as puspa langka together with Rafflesia.

Indonesian animal emblems are Indonesian endemic fauna that gain the status as national animal symbol that represent Indonesia and describe Indonesian biodiversity. Today there are three animals that gained the status as Indonesian animal emblems:

1. The national animal (Indonesian: Satwa bangsa) of Indonesia is Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis)
2. A rare animal and national bird (Indonesian: Satwa langka) is Javan hawk-eagle (Nisaetus bartelsi)
3. the animal of charm (Indonesian: Satwa pesona) is Asian arowana (Scleropages aureus and Scleropages legendrei).

Next to national animal symbols, there are also more specific provincial animals emblems that represent each respective provinces of Indonesia.

Indonesia's national gem is Batu Intan (Diamond)^{[8][failed verification]}, especially Batu Intan from Martapura and Cempaka, Banjarbaru.