National symbols of Moldova

There are a number ofnational symbols of Moldova,representingMoldovaor its people in either official or unofficial capacities.

List of national symbols

Official symbols

Type	Image	Symbol
National flag		TheState Flag of the Republic of Moldova (Romanian:Drapelul de Stat al Republicii Moldova) is a rectangular cloth, equally vertically tripartite, starting from the flag pole in blue, yellow and red, similar to theflag of Romania.The difference is the State Emblem of the Republic of Moldova disposed in the midst of the yellow field, constituting 1/5 the length of the flag.
Nationalcoat of arms		TheState Emblem of the Republic of Moldova (Romanian:Stema de Stat a Republicii Moldova) is a horizontally divided shield having in the upper part red chromatics, in the lower part – blue, loaded with the head ofaurochshaving between its horns a star with eight rays. The head of aurochs is flanked on the right by a five-petalled rose, and on the left by a crescent. The aurochs is also present on thecoat of arms of Romania.All the elements present on the shield are of golden. The shield is placed on the breast of a natural eagle holding in its beak a golden cross and taking in the right claw a green olive branch, and in the left claw a golden scepter.
National anthem	Our language	Limba noastră It was written byAlexei Mateeviciin 1917, one year before theunion of Bessarabia with Romania.The music for the anthem was composed byAlexandru Cristea.Between 1917–18 and 1991–94, the national anthem of Moldova wasDeșteaptă-te, române!,which is also thenational anthem of Romania.
National holiday		Independence Day It commemorates the adoption of theDeclaration of Independencefrom theSoviet Unionon 27 August 1991.The act of independence was officially recognized on March 2, 1992, when Moldova gained membership of theUnited Nations.Being a public holiday most people and employees, also most retail businesses and public institutions are closed on this day.

Unofficial symbols

Type	Image	Symbol
National flower		Thebasil
		Thedog-rose
National tree		Theoak
		Thesour cherry
		Thewalnut
National animal emblem		TheAurochs
		The wolf
National bird		Thewhite stork
National river		TheDniester
		ThePrut It forms the western border of Moldova with Romania.
National holiday		TheMărțișor begins on 1 March and lasts 10 days, symbolizing the coming of spring.
		Paștele Blajinilor is celebrated the Monday afterThomas Sunday.
		Hora
National monument		Monument to Stephen the Great and HolyinChișinău

• Source:Akademos