The national flag of any country around the world is more than a patriotic design fluttering in the wind. It is designed to be a visual declaration of identity, sovereignty, and shared memory for an entire people. But while colors, shapes, insignia, and size have a message to contribute, the inclusion of animals is quite rare.
Animals appearing on flags is oftentimes meant to represent the characteristics that a nation values most (such as strength, freedom, wisdom, or even resilience). Some may be native creatures that inhabit the country’s lands or skies, while others are something very different indeed.
So, which are the nations around the world that have animals on their national flags? Of the 195 sovereign states or countries across the globe, only a handful fit the criteria. Click through this gallery to find out which they are!