Several countries have national symbols that are mythical creatures, such as Scotland’s unicorn, North Korea’s Chollima, and Albania’s double-headed eagle. Mexico has multiple national animals, while Indonesia’s national symbol is the Garuda bird. Only Oregon has an official state microbe.
In various countries, fictitious animals are used as national symbols. Scotland, North Korea, and Albania all have national symbols that don’t really exist but have long-standing cultural significance. The mythical unicorn has been present in Scottish heraldry since the 12th century. In Celtic mythology, the unicorn symbolizes purity, healing, joy and even masculinity. Today, the royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom features the Scottish unicorn alongside the English lion. North Korea’s national symbol is also mythical: a winged horse known as a Chollima. According to Korean folklore, Chollima is said to be able to walk hundreds of miles a day. The double-headed eagle is an ancient symbol dating back to the Byzantine Empire, signifying the duality of church and state. It featured prominently on many imperial flags. Today, variations of the double-headed eagle can be seen on the flags of Albania and Serbia.
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Mexico not only has a national animal (the golden eagle), but also a national mammal (jaguar), a marine mammal (vaquita porpoise), an arthropod (grasshopper), and a dog (xoloitzcuintle, a hairless Mexican breed).
The national symbol of Indonesia is Garuda, the mythical bird of Vishnu. The gold colored Garuda with 17 feathers on each wing, 8 tail feathers and 45 on the neck is the modern day symbol of Indonesia and symbolizes the date of Indonesia’s independence: August 17, 1945.
Although several US states, including Hawaii and Wisconsin, have tried to campaign for official state microbes, only Oregon has an official state microbe: Saccharomyces cerevisiae, or brewer’s yeast.
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