Totems of the state

[Zkribbler]

Originally posted by LordShiva
Swedish meatball

Fixed

[Zoid]

Originally posted by Zkribbler
I find it strange that places like England, Scotland and Sweden would adopt the lion as their symbol. These nations are not exactly overrun with the beasts. It's kinda like if the Americans were to adopt the kangaroo as their symbol.

It has nothing to do with the actual fauna in the country. It's a symbol of power and nobility. Lions and eagles are the most common animals in heraldry. Lions have been part of the swedish kings coat of arms since the days of Erik Knutsson in the early 1200's.

More lions:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lion_(heraldry)

[Seeker]

Mongolian animal symbols are actually the Grey Wolf and White Deer, from which all mongols are spiritually descended.

Koreans believe they are descendants of a magical bear.

The native tribes of BC believe (some to this day) that they are descended from the mystical Raven, thus the abundance of ravens on different things in BC.

I'd say that the Moose is nearly as famous a Canadian animal symbol as the Beaver.

Venice of course has the famous Lion of St. Mark.

Spain has its bull, but in the past it was the Spanish Imperial Eagle.

France is, appropriately, represented by the mighty Chicken.
The ancient Gauls, however, venerated the Boar, as any Asterix reader knows...

Wales has the Red Dragon.

EDIT: and how could we forget the famous Persian Cat?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:IranUSSRBritain.jpg

[Wezil]

Originally posted by Zkribbler


Benjamin Franklin didn't want the eagle for that very reason. He wanted us to adopt the more virtuous turkey.

I had heard that before.

People defend the beaver ("He's industrious", etc) and I have to laugh. It's a water rat people. Get over it.