National Symbols of Indonesia - Official National Symbols - National Emblem of Indonesia

National Emblem of Indonesia

Garuda Pancasila is the national emblem of Indonesia. The symbol derived from Garuda, the mythical bird vehicle of Vishnu. The current symbol are designed and officially recognized in 1950s. The head of garuda faces its right side, it means that Indonesia embraces democracy. If it faces its left side, it means Indonesia is leaning on socialism. The Garuda's feathers represent the date of Indonesia's independence day which is 17-8-1945. 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 symbolize sacred divinity, which means Indonesia is a state which is based on five recognized religions. Second, the chain with square and round links symbolizes male and female as well as succession of generations of human beings that represent just and civilized humanity. Third, the big beringin (banyan tree) with multitude of branches, leaves and roots symbolizes diversity of Indonesian people that belongs into one organism, symbolize unity of Indonesia, as well as strong and steady stance and protection under the tree's shade. Forth, the head of a buffalo symbolize 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 symbolize 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.