National symbols of Hungary

The national symbols of Hungary are special flags, icons, or cultural expressions that represent Hungary and Hungarian culture. These symbols are important because they show what the country and its people value.

Many of these symbols are well known and help people feel proud of their heritage. They appear in many places, from schools to government buildings, and remind everyone of Hungary's unique history and traditions.

Special Hungarian products and symbols are called Hungaricum or Hunnerisms. These symbols bring people together and celebrate the rich culture of Hungary.

Flags and heraldry

See also: Flags of Hungarian history, Hungarian heraldry, and Coat of arms of Hungary

The flag of Hungary has three horizontal colors: red, white, and green. Many people like the coat of arms from the old Árpád dynasty. There are special flags from important times in history, like the Revolution of 1848. You can see these flags in pictures and in front of important buildings.

Flag of Hungary

Hungarian coat of arms

Hungarian military flag from the [Revolution of 1848](/wiki/Hungarian_Revolution_of_1848)

[Hungarian revolution](/wiki/Hungarian_Revolution_of_1956) flag in front of the Hungarian Parliament Building

Coat of arms of the [Árpád dynasty](/wiki/Árpád_dynasty)

Flora and fauna

See also: Hungarian animals and List of national parks of Hungary

Hungary has many special plants and animals. About one-fifth of the land is covered in forests, but only ten percent of these forests grow naturally. Hungary is home to around 2,200 different flowering plants. Because of its unique weather and landscape, many of these plants usually grow much farther south, near the Mediterranean Sea.

One special plant in Hungary is the Hungarian Crocus, found in 1867 on Szársomlyó Hill in the Villány Mountains. It is one of the earliest flowers to bloom in the country. The Hortobágy area, known for its salty lands, has plants that normally grow close to the sea. Other important places for plants and animals include the Gemenc forest near Szekszárd, the Little Balaton area in Transdanubia, and wetlands along the Tisza River near Kecskemét. The forests are mostly made up of beech, oak, and birch trees, with some fir trees as well.

Hungary is also known for its special animals, such as the Hungarian Grey cattle, the smaller Puli sheepdog, the larger Komondor sheepdog, and the Vizsla. There are also Hungarian Buffalo in reserves like Kápolnapuszta in Zala county.

People

See also: Culture of Hungary, Hussar, and Hungarian folk music

Hungary has many symbols that show its culture and history. These include images like the Arrival of the Hungarians in the 9th century, a Wrangler (csikós), traditional Hungarian dance, a Master coppersmith at work, a Horse archer, Hungarian Hussars in Elsterwerda, a Paprika vendor in Budapest, and people wearing Traditional clothes of a gulyás (herdsman).

National Anthem

"Himnusz" became Hungary’s national anthem in the 19th century. The words were written by the famous poet Ferenc Kölcsey in 1823, and the music was composed by Ferenc Erkel in 1844. Before this, the Rákóczi March was sometimes called Hungary’s unofficial anthem.

Food and drink

Main article: Hungarian cuisine

See also: Hungarian wine, Pálinka, and Hungarian beer

Hungarian food is known for its strong flavors and spices. Traditional dishes often use paprika, onions, and garlic. One famous dish from the Middle Ages is fish soup. Today, popular foods include goulash soup, different kinds of stew, and paprikás. Hungary also has special treats like Dobos torte, Hortobágyi palacsinta (filled pancake), Kürtőskalács (chimney cake), fresh lángos, Unicum, Pálinka, and Tokaji wine, known as “Wine of Kings, King of Wines”.