Symbols
Symbols
The National Flag of Bangladesh was adopted officially on 17 January 1972. It is based on a similar flag used during the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971. A red disc is on top of the green field, offset slightly toward the hoist o that it appears centred when the flag is flying. The red disc represents the sun rising over Bengal, and also the blood of those who died for the independence of Bangladesh.
The green field stands for the lushness of the land of Bangladesh. The red disc is a socialist symbol of the rising Sun of independence after the dark night of a blood-drenched struggle against Pakistan
The National Anthem of Bangladesh was composed by the great Rabindranath Tagore, winner of the Nobel prize for literature in 1913 for his iterature
Amar Shonar Bangla (My Golden Bengal)
My Bengal of gold, I love you
Forever your skies, your air set my heart in tune
as if it were a flute,
In Spring, Oh mother mine, the fragrance from
your mango-groves makes me wild with joy-
Ah, what a thrill!
In Autumn, Oh mother mine,
in the full-blossomed paddy fields,
I have seen spread all over - sweet smiles!
Ah, what a beauty, what shades, what an affection
and what a tenderness!
What a quilt have you spread at the feet of
banyan trees and along the banks of rivers!
Oh mother mine, words from your lips are like
Nectar to my ears!
Ah, what a thrill!
If sadness, Oh mother mine, casts a gloom on your face,
my eyes are filled with tears!
Here in this sombre memorial we remember the first sacrifices made to preserve our language. The National Monument reminds us of those who gave their lives so the we can be free
Shaheed Minar (Martyrs Memorial) : We truly value our independence and the sacrifices made to achieve our freedom. Starting as a language movement, nascent nationalism culminated in the birth of Bangladesh after a 9 month long War of Independence.
The National Parliament (shongshod bhabon) is an architectural wonder. Designed by the famous American architect Louis Kahn, this is the seat of the government.
The National Emblem of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. The national flower Shapla (water Lily) is surrounded by two sheaves of rice.
Bangladesh teems with icons and symbols, not the least of which is the ubiquitous Royal Bengal Tiger. This majestic beast finds its home in Bangladesh, in the still pristine mangrove forests of the Sundarbans.
The Doel is our national bird.
The Jackfruit [Kathal] is our national fruit. The fruit has a pungent yet distinctive flavor not unlike the Durian of South East Asia. The fruit can grow to huge sizes hundreds of pounds in weight.
The Water Lily (shapla in Bengali)is the national flower of Bangladesh.