NATIONAL INSIGNIA OF SLOVENIA

NATIONAL INSIGNIA

Slovenia has three national symbols – the coat of arms, the flag and the anthem. The coat of arms, the flag and the anthem are determined by the Constitution. Their use is determined by the law, which among other things prescribes the flying of the flag on state holidays. Slovenia joined the European Union on 1 May 2004. The use of the European Union’s flag and anthem in Slovenia is determined by the Decree on the use of the European Union's flag and anthem in the Republic of Slovenia. 

The flag

The three colours of the Spring of Nations :Slovenia's national flag is white, blue and red and bears the Slovenian cot of arms. The three-coloured flag first appeared during the Spring of Nations in 1848. The National Assembly upon the announcement of Slovenia's independence on 25 June 1991 took the decision on the design of the present flag.

The Coat of Arms

Combining historical elements

Slovenia’s coat of arms is in the shape of a shield. In the middle of the shield is the outline of Mount Triglav in white; beneath which are two wavy blue lines, representing the sea and the rivers and above are three gold six-pointed stars, arranged in the shape of an inverted triangle.

As on the flag, the three national colours (white, blue and red) of Carniola - the central historic state on the territory of the Slovenian people - are used. The six-pointed stars are the symbols of the Celje counts, the last great dynasty on Slovenian territory, and Mount Triglav as a symbol of Slovenehood. The coat of arms was designed by the sculptor Marko Pogačnik.

The anthem

The message of Zdravljica

The seventh stanza of Zdravljica (A Toast), a lengthy poem by France Prešeren (1800–1849) in used as the Slovenian national anthem. The poem was set to music decades ago by Stanko Premrl (1880–1965).

Zdravljica, a toast to all good-hearted people, was written in 1844, and in it the poet declares his belief in a free-thinking Slovenian and Slavonic political awareness, promoting the idela of a Unified Slovenia, which the March revolution in 1848 elevated into a national political programme.

Text of the Slovenian national anthem (7th stanza of Zdravljica - A Toast by France Prešeren)

NATIONAL ANTHEM 

God’s blessing on all nations,

Who long and work for that bright day,

When o’er earth’s habitations

No war, no strife shall hold its sway;

Who long to see

That all men free

No more shall foes, but neighbours be.

source: http://www.vlada.si/en/about_slovenia/political_system/national_insignia/