This page lists what each guide on this site actually cites, and how strong that source is. Nepal's national symbols are set partly by law and partly by custom, so the strength of the source changes what we can say.
How We Rate Sources
| Level | What it is | What we do with it |
|---|---|---|
| Primary | The Constitution, Nepal Gazette notices, a ministry or the issuing institution | State the fact and cite the Article or document where possible |
| News report | A newspaper report of a government decision | State the decision, name the report and flag anything we could not confirm |
| Secondary | Encyclopaedias, books, tourism boards, specialist sites | Use for background, not for "official" claims |
The Main Legal Source
The Constitution of Nepal (2015) names the flag (Article 8), anthem and coat of arms (Article 9(1) and (2)), and the national flower, colour, animal and bird (Article 9(3)). Articles 6 and 7 cover language. Read it at: Constitution of Nepal 2015 (Constitute Project).
Before citing a symbol as official in an exam, thesis or news story, check the Constitution, the Nepal Gazette or the ministry concerned. This site is educational and is not a substitute for them.
Sources by Guide
| Guide | Cited on the guide | Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Flag | Constitution of Nepal, Article 8 and Schedule 1; Wikipedia, "Flag of Nepal" | Primary (law) |
| Anthem | Constitution, Article 9(1) and Schedule 2; Nepal Law Commission; Wikipedia, "Sayaun Thunga Phulka" | Primary + secondary |
| Emblem | Constitution, Article 9(2) and Schedule 3; Wikipedia, "Emblem of Nepal"; heraldry-wiki.com | Primary + secondary |
| Flower | Constitution, Article 9(3); Department of Forests and Soil Conservation; Department of Plant Resources; IUCN Red List | Primary + government + IUCN |
| Colour | Constitution, Article 9(3) and Schedule 1; Wikipedia, "Flag of Nepal" | Primary (law) |
| Animal | Constitution, Article 9(3); Kathmandu Post (2019); Global Voices (2017) | Primary + news |
| Bird | Constitution, Article 9(3); Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation; IUCN Red List | Primary + government + IUCN |
| Language | Constitution, Articles 6 and 7; Language Commission of Nepal (6 September 2021), as reported by Online Khabar and Radio Nepal | Primary + news |
| Sport | Cabinet decision of 22 May 2017 as reported by Onlinekhabar; Ministry of Youth and Sports | News report of a government decision |
| Fruit | Rising Nepal, "Orange declared as national fruit" (12 April 2024); Nepal Horticulture Society; Kathmandu Post | News report; decision text not seen |
| Calendar | Wikipedia, "Vikram Samvat" and "Nepal Sambat"; historical records | Secondary |
| Currency | Nepal Rastra Bank | Primary (issuer) |
| Tree | Department of Forests and Soil Conservation; IUCN | Government + IUCN; no official designation found |
| Fish | NARC; FAO Nepal fisheries profile; Department of Fisheries; IUCN Red List; Himalayan Times (Jan 2026); Kathmandu Post (2017) | Mixed; no official designation found |
| Butterfly | Inside Himalayas; Butterflies of Nepal research community; IUCN Red Data Book as summarised on Wikipedia | Secondary; no official designation found |
| Food | Wikipedia, "Nepalese cuisine" and "Dal bhat"; no government source found | Secondary; no official designation found |
| Weapon | Wikipedia, "Kukri" (which cites the Gurkha Brigade Association); Gurkha Brigade Association, "The Kukuri" | Secondary; no official designation found |
| Dress | The Himalayan Times, "Daura and Suruwal: Their history & journey"; Wikipedia, "Dhaka topi" | News and secondary; no current designation found |
| Dance | Wikipedia, "Dance in Nepal" and "Maruni"; ImNepal.com; Native Nepali Stage; OnlineKhabar; Kathmandu Post | Secondary; no official designation found |
| Monument | Government of Nepal earthquake reconstruction records; Kathmandu Metropolitan City | Government records (no designation found) |
| Highest peak | UNESCO World Heritage Centre; Montana State University Everest expedition; Alan Arnette; Ace the Himalaya | Mixed secondary |
| Cave | Lonely Planet; Wikipedia ("Siddha Cave", "Mustang Caves"); Nepal Tourism Board; Mountain Tiger Nepal; showcaves.com | Tourism and secondary; no designation found |
| Museum | Wikipedia, "National Museum of Nepal"; Department of Archaeology | Secondary + government |
Compiled 13 November 2026 from the "Source" lines on each guide. Several guides name an institution or publication without a specific document; we are replacing those with exact citations over time.
Spotted a Mistake?
If a fact is wrong or a better source exists, please tell us through the contact page with the page address and the source. We correct errors and update the "checked" dates on the guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does symbols.thenepal.io get its information?
From the Constitution of Nepal where a symbol is named in law, from reports of government decisions, and from secondary sources such as encyclopaedias and specialist sites. Each guide lists its sources, and this page summarises them.
Which source is best for official national symbols?
The Constitution of Nepal (2015), Articles 6 to 9, together with the Nepal Gazette and the relevant ministry. Use those when you need an official citation.
Why do some guides say 'no official declaration confirmed'?
Because we could not find a law or government decision for them. It means unconfirmed, not that none exists.
How do I report an error or suggest a source?
Use the contact page on thenepal.io and include the page address and the source.