Lists of "national symbols of Nepal" often mix what the law says with what people simply say. This page separates the two for all 23 symbols on this site. Seven symbols, plus the language provisions, are written into the Constitution of Nepal (2015). Two more were declared by the government. The rest are customary.
1. Named in the Constitution of Nepal (2015)
Articles 8 and 9 set out the flag, the anthem, the coat of arms and the national flower, colour, animal and bird. Articles 6 and 7 deal with language.
| Symbol | Constitutional basis |
|---|---|
| Flag | Article 8; drawing method in Schedule 1 |
| Anthem | Article 9(1); text in Schedule 2 |
| Emblem (coat of arms) | Article 9(2); Schedule 3 |
| Flower — Rhododendron | Article 9(3): "The Rhododendron Arboreum is the national flower" |
| Colour — Crimson | Article 9(3): "Crimson is the national color" |
| Animal — Cow | Article 9(3): "the cow is the national animal" |
| Bird — Danphe (Lophophorus) | Article 9(3): the Lophophorus is named as the national bird |
| Language | Article 6: all mother tongues are national languages. Article 7: Nepali in Devanagari is the language of official business |
Source: Constitution of Nepal 2015, text on Constitute Project (Articles 6, 7, 8 and 9).
2. Declared by the Government (outside the Constitution)
| Symbol | Basis |
|---|---|
| Sport — Volleyball | Declared by the Government of Nepal on 22 May 2017 (Cabinet decision, as reported on our sport page) |
| Fruit — Orange | Recognised by the Council of Ministers on 12 April 2024 (news report; the species named in the decision text is not confirmed) |
3. Official in use, but not a symbol declaration
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| Calendar — Bikram Sambat | The calendar used in official business; it is not one of the symbols named in Articles 8–9 |
| Currency — Nepalese rupee | The legal currency, issued by Nepal Rastra Bank; it is not one of the symbols named in Articles 8–9 |
4. Customary or widely cited — no declaration confirmed
These are real and widely loved parts of Nepali identity. We found no law or government decision naming them as official national symbols.
| Symbol | Status |
|---|---|
| Tree — Peepal | No designated national tree confirmed |
| Fish — Asala (Golden Mahseer) | No designated national fish confirmed |
| Butterfly — Krishna Peacock | Popularly cited; no formal declaration found |
| Food — Dal Bhat | No Government of Nepal declaration confirmed |
| Weapon — Khukuri | Widely called the national weapon; no official declaration confirmed |
| Dress — Daura Suruwal and Gunyu Cholo | Widely regarded as national dress; no declaration confirmed by us |
| Dance — Deuda and Maruni | Widely regarded as national dances; no declaration confirmed by us |
| Monument — Dharahara | Widely regarded; no designation confirmed |
| Cave — Siddha Gufa | Most often named; no law designates a national cave |
| Museum — National Museum of Nepal | National by name and function; not a symbol designation |
| Highest peak — Sagarmatha (Everest) | Nepal's highest peak; no "national mountain" designation |
✦ Why this matters
- Many websites repeat the same list as if every item were gazetted. Quiz books and school notes often copy it.
- If you need an official answer (an exam, a thesis, a news story), use section 1 and cite the Article.
- Section 4 is not a lesser category for culture: the peepal, the khukuri and dal bhat matter to Nepalis whatever their legal status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which national symbols of Nepal are in the Constitution?
The flag (Article 8), the anthem and the coat of arms (Article 9), and the national flower (rhododendron), colour (crimson), animal (cow) and bird (Danphe, the Lophophorus), all in Article 9(3). Articles 6 and 7 cover language.
Is there an official national tree of Nepal?
We could not confirm one. The peepal is the tree most often named, but it is not among the symbols listed in the Constitution.
Is the khukuri officially the national weapon?
We found no official declaration. It is widely called the national weapon, so we describe it as customary.
Is Nepali the national language of Nepal?
Article 6 makes all mother tongues spoken in Nepal national languages. Article 7 makes Nepali in Devanagari the language of official business.
Is volleyball officially Nepal's national sport?
Yes. The Government of Nepal declared it on 22 May 2017, according to our sport page. Dandi Biyo and kabaddi are called traditional games but were not declared.
Is the orange officially Nepal's national fruit?
A Council of Ministers decision on 12 April 2024 was reported as recognising the orange. We have not seen the decision text, so the exact species is not confirmed.
Is Mount Everest Nepal's national mountain?
No national-mountain designation is confirmed. Sagarmatha (Everest) is Nepal's highest peak and the nearest thing to one.
Why do some websites list a national tree, fish or river as official?
Many lists copy each other and treat popular choices as declared ones. Check the Constitution, the Nepal Gazette or the ministry concerned before citing one.