National Symbols
of Nepal
A fact-checked reference for every national symbol of Nepal — from the sacred cow to the Himalayan Monal, from the crimson flag to the song that unites a nation.
The Sacred Cow
Revered in Hindu tradition and legally protected — the cow is woven into nearly every layer of Nepali life.
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Danphe — Himalayan Monal
Nicknamed "the strolling rainbow" for plumage that shifts between green, copper and blue with the light.
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Rhododendron — Lali Gurans
Crimson blooms that blaze across Nepal's hillsides each spring — the exact shade of the national flag.
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Sagarmatha — Mount Everest
8,848.86 metres above sea level — the roof of the world, and the closest thing Nepal has to a national mountain.
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Dal Bhat
Lentil soup, steamed rice and seasonal curry — "Dal Bhat Power, 24 Hour" fuels Nepal from Kathmandu to Everest Base Camp.
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Nepal's flag is the only national flag in the world that isn't rectangular — made of two stacked crimson pennants.
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The Sacred Cow — गाई
Complete guide covering religious significance, breeds, habitat, festivals, legal protection and FAQs.
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Animals, Plants & Natural Symbols
Cow — गाई
Sacred, protected and woven into every layer of Nepali life.
Himalayan Monal — डाँफे
Nepal's most colourful bird, gleaming across high-altitude slopes.
Rhododendron — लाली गुराँस
Blazing crimson blooms that paint Nepal's hillsides each spring.
Peepal — Sacred Fig
Not officially designated — Nepal's best-known sacred tree, revered in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.
Asala — Golden Mahseer
A cold-water river fish of the Himalayan foothills.
Krishna Peacock
A swallowtail with iridescent wings echoing peacock plumage.
Flavours of Nepal
Suntala — The Orange
Recognised 12 April 2024 — the golden citrus of Nepal's mid-hill orchards.
Dal Bhat
Rice, lentil soup and curry — the everyday plate of Nepal (no official designation confirmed).
What Unites Nepal
The Crimson Pennant
The world's only non-rectangular national flag — two stacked pennants of crimson and blue.
Sayaun Thunga Phulka
Made of hundreds of flowers — Nepal's anthem and the story behind it.
Nepali — नेपाली
The lingua franca of a nation with over 120 languages.
Crimson Red
Bold, auspicious and unmistakably Nepali.
Daura Suruwal & Gunyu Cholo
Elegant traditional attire worn by Nepali men and women.
Volleyball
Declared official in 2017 — played from village courtyards to national stadiums.
Bikram Sambat
Nepal's official calendar — 56 years ahead of the Gregorian.
Deuda & Maruni
Circle dances and costumed performances from Nepal's diverse regions.
National Emblem of Nepal
Everest, hills, joined hands and a rhododendron garland — the seal of the state.
Khukuri
The curved blade of the hills and the Gurkha — widely called the national weapon (no official declaration confirmed).
Nepal's Natural Wonders
Dharahara Tower
A 23-storey Kathmandu landmark, rebuilt after the 2015 earthquake and reopened in 2021.
Sagarmatha — Everest
The roof of the world, rising 8,848.86 m above sea level.
Siddha Gufa
A show cave near Bandipur, Tanahun district — the cave most often named as Nepal's national cave.
Institutions & Trade
Can You Name All 23 Symbols?
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Nepal National Symbols Quiz
12 questions, multiple choice. Get your score and download a shareable certificate at the end.
Press "Start Quiz" to begin — one question at a time, instant feedback, final score and certificate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the national animal of Nepal?
The cow (गाई) is the national animal of Nepal. It is considered sacred in Hinduism and is legally protected from slaughter.
Why is the cow sacred in Nepal?
The cow is revered in Hindu tradition as a symbol of purity, motherhood and non-violence, and is honoured annually during Tihar's Gai Puja.
What is Nepal's national bird?
The Himalayan Monal, known locally as Danphe (डाँफे), is Nepal's national bird, prized for its iridescent, multi-coloured plumage.
Why is Nepal's flag not rectangular?
Nepal's flag is made of two stacked pennants, making it the only non-rectangular national flag in the world — a shape tied to Hindu and Buddhist symbolism.
What is the national dish of Nepal?
Dal Bhat — steamed rice served with lentil soup, vegetables and pickles — is widely regarded as Nepal's national dish and everyday staple meal.
What is the national emblem of Nepal?
Nepal's national emblem shows Mount Everest above green hills and the Terai plains, joined hands symbolising gender equality, and a rhododendron garland around a white map of Nepal.
What is the national tree of Nepal?
No tree is officially designated as Nepal's national tree in the sources we checked. The Peepal, or Sacred Fig (Ficus religiosa), is Nepal's best-known sacred tree — revered in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.
Where can I read about Nepal's national fruit and national dish?
Both have a guide on this site: the national fruit (the orange, suntala) and the national food (dal bhat).
Explore More Nepal
More from The Nepal network — dedicated guides beyond this hub.
📚 Sources & References
Information on this page is compiled from government sources, constitutional documents and published references such as DNPWC, ICIMOD and Wikipedia. Last updated: October 2026.
- ▸Constitution of Nepal 2015 — Official constitutional provisions on national symbols
- ▸Government of Nepal Official Gazette — Declarations of national animal, bird, flower, and other symbols
- ▸Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation — Official cultural heritage records
- ▸Nepal Academy — Linguistic and cultural research on national language and anthem
- ▸Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation — Wildlife classification data
⚠️ This content is for educational purposes. Always verify with official Government of Nepal sources for legal and administrative use.