National symbols of Argentina

The National symbols of Argentina are the symbols used in Argentina and abroad to represent the nation and its people. The country has a number of national symbols, some of which are extensively defined by law.^[1]

List of symbols

Symbol	Image	Description
National Flag[2]	Flag of Argentina	It consists of three, equal in width, horizontal stripes, colored light blue, white and light blue, with the Sun of May in the centre of the middle, white stripe. The flag was designed by Manuel Belgrano in 1812; it was adopted as a national symbol 20 July 1816.
Coat of Arms[2]	Coat of Arms of Argentina	It was established in its current form in 1944, but has its origins in the seal of the General Constituent Assembly of 1813. At the top we find the gold-yellowed Sun of May. The Coat of Arms symbolizes the rising of Argentina, the unity of the provinces of Argentina, power and willingness to defend freedom.
Cockade[2]	Cockade of Argentina	It was instituted by decree on February 18, 1812 by the First Triumvirate. The cockade was first used by the ladies of Buenos Aires during the events of the 1810 May Revolution. On February 18, 1812, the government decided to create the national cockade of the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata with light blue at its outer border and centre, and white between both. Belgrano then used the same colours to design the national flag.
Sun of May[3]		The Sun of May is a representation of the Inca sun god Inti.[4] The sun, called the Sun of May, is engraved on an 1828 eight escudo, the first Argentine coin, approved in 1813 by the Constituent Assembly. It features 32 rays, 16 undulated and 16 straight in alternation, and since 1978 it must be embroidered in the official ceremonial flag.
National Anthem[2]	"Himno Nacional Argentino" (Argentine National Anthem)	The Argentine National Anthem, adopted in 1813, was written by Vicente López y Planes with music by Blas Parera. It has been subsequently shortened to only three paragraphs, after omitting the lyrics' attacks against former occupant Spain. Performance of the anthem is mandatory during all official events, and Argentines in attendance are expected to stand up and sing it.
Motto[5]	En unión y libertad (In unity and freedom)	It was set in the 1813 General Assembly,[5] during the War of Independence of the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata from the Spanish Empire. It can be seen in all peso coins and banknotes currently in circulation.
Logo[6]	Logo of Argentina	It came from the Contest for the Visual Identity of the Argentina Brand, which took place in 2006.[6] Through the presidential decree 1372/2008, the logo representing Argentina abroad became official.[7]
Father of the Fatherland[8]	José de San Martín
National colours	Sky blue #74acdf White #FFFFFF Gold #fcbf49 Blue (secondary) #0067c6
National personification	Effigy of the Republic/Liberty/Progress/Fatherland
	Gaucho
National tree[1][9]	Ceibo
	Red Quebracho
Floral emblem[1]	Ceibo flower
National animal/National bird[10]	Hornero
National gemstone[1]	Rhodochrosite
National sport[1]	Pato
National liquor[11]	Wine
National infusion[12]	Mate
National dish[13][14]	Asado
	Locro
Patron saint[15]	Our Lady of Luján

References

1. "Datos generales de Argentina". Folkloredelnorte.com.ar. Retrieved 2011-06-19.
2. "Símbolos Nacionales" (in Spanish). Argentina- News public portal of the Argentine Republic. Retrieved 2011-02-25.
3. "Argentine National Emblems". Flags of the World. Retrieved 2011-02-25.
4. Abad de Santillán, Diego (1965). Historia Argentina [Argentine history] (in Spanish). Buenos Aires: TEA (Tipográfica Editora Argentina).
5. "Asamblea General Constituyente. Sesión del 12 de Marzo de 1813" [General Constituent Assembly. Session of March 12, 1813] (in Spanish). Ministry of Education. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
6. "Argentina: brand for the world". Secretariat of Public Communication, Presidency of the Nation. Retrieved September 26, 2011.
7. "Decreto Presidencial 1372/2008" [Presidential Decree 1372/2008] (PDF) (in Spanish). Secretariat of Public Communication, Presidency of the Nation. Retrieved September 26, 2011. Artículo 1 - Créase la "Marca Argentina", cuyo Signo Oficial será el isologotipo que luce en el Anexo que forma parte integrante del presente, la que permitirá homogeneizar la imagen nacional en el mundo.
8. "José de San Martín". Argentina.ar. Retrieved February 25, 2012.
9. "Declárase "Arbol Forestal Nacional" al (Schinopsis Balansea Engl) "Quebracho colorado chaqueño"" (in Spanish). Secretaría de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sustentable de la Nación. 1956-08-21. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
10. "Info about Hornero". Redargentina.com (in Spanish). 2007-09-24. Retrieved 2010-04-25.
11. "Declaran al vino bebida nacional". Argentina.ar. Retrieved 2011-06-19.
12. "Ley 26.871 - Declárase al Mate como infusión nacional.". InfoLEG (in Spanish). Ministry of Economy and Public Finance. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
13. "El asado". Retrieved 2012-02-25.
14. "Argentina - Gastronomia" (in Spanish). Retrieved 2012-02-25.
15. "Nuestra Señora de Luján" (in Spanish). Retrieved 2012-02-25.