Czech National Symbols

I am shocked how many students are learning Czech in order to pass exams to live here not even knowing the name of the Czech anthem. Here is an article about Czech national symbols and more about the anthem.

The Czech Republic has several official national symbols defined by law. These symbols represent the Czech state and its sovereignty.

1)   VLAJKA - The national flag consists of two horizontal stripes and a blue triangle.

white =  peace and honesty,

red = courage and the blood shed for freedom

blue = loyalty and vigilance. 

2)   STANDARTA - The state standard is the flag of the President of the Czech Republic. It is square and white, with the Czech coat of arms in the center and the motto “Pravda vítězí” (“Truth prevails”) written around it. The standard shows the presence of the president.

3)   VELKÝ STÁTNÍ ZNAK - The state coat of arms exists in a large and a small version. The large coat of arms combines symbols of Bohemia, Moravia, and Silesia.

4)   MALÝ STÁTNÍ ZNAK - The small coat of arms shows a silver double-tailed lion with a crown on a red background.

5)   STÁTNÍ HYMNA - The national anthem is called “Kde domov můj”. It is an official musical symbol of the state and is played during national and state ceremonies. It was composed by Josef Kajetán Tyl and the melody by František Škroup.

🎧 https://youtu.be/mQZ6vsLMqzs?si=rpCpf_WYTapnGK7e

🇨🇿 Kde domov můj

Kde domov můj,

kde domov můj?

Voda hučí po lučinách,

bory šumí po skalinách,

v sadě skví se jara květ,

zemský ráj to na pohled!

A to je ta krásná země,

země česká,

domov můj,

země česká,

domov můj!

🇬🇧 Where Is My Home?

Where is my home,

where is my home?

Water roars across the meadows,

pinewoods rustle among the rocks,

spring flowers bloom in the orchards,

a paradise on earth to see!

And this is that beautiful land,

the Czech land,

my home,

the Czech land,

my home!

6)   BARVY - The national colours are white, red, and blue. They are used on state symbols and decorations.

7)   PEČEŤ – The state seal is an official symbol used to authenticate important state documents. It contains the large state coat of arms surrounded by the inscription „Česká republika“. The state seal is used by top state authorities, for example on international treaties and other formal legal acts.

STROM - The national tree is the linden tree (lípa). It symbolizes freedom, unity, and the Czech nation.

In summary, Czech national symbols are legally defined elements that represent the Czech Republic at home and abroad.

Do you know these other traditional symbols?

Blackbird             Bohemian garnet      a linden tree