National Symbols of East Asia: Animals, Birds, Flowers & Trees

East Asia’s best-known natural symbols include China’s giant panda, Mongolia’s saker falcon, Korea’s Mugunghwa and Taiwan’s plum blossom. But many animals and plants routinely described online as “national” symbols have never actually received an official designation.

This guide covers the national animals, birds, flowers and trees associated with China, Japan, Mongolia, North Korea, South Korea and Taiwan. Where a symbol is cultural, unofficial or simply widely cited rather than formally designated, this is clearly indicated.

East Asian National Symbols at a Glance

Country / territory	National animal	National bird	National flower	National tree
China	Giant panda*	Red-crowned crane*	Peony*	Ginkgo*
Japan	No established designation	Green pheasant**	Chrysanthemum	Sugi*
Mongolia	Takhi / Przewalski’s horse*	Saker falcon	Ber Tsetseg	No established designation
North Korea	Pungsan dog	Northern goshawk	Magnolia (Mokran)	Pine
South Korea	Korean tiger*	Oriental magpie*	Mugunghwa	Korean red pine*
Taiwan	Formosan black bear*	Taiwan blue magpie*	Plum blossom	No established designation

* Widely recognized as a national or cultural symbol, but we could not verify a formal national designation.

** The green pheasant was selected as Japan’s national bird by the Ornithological Society of Japan in 1947, but the designation is not established by law.

These distinctions are particularly important in East Asia. A species may be so closely associated with a country that it is routinely called its “national animal” or “national tree,” even when the government has never formally given it that status.

National Symbols of China

China has some of the world’s most recognizable animal and plant symbols, but surprisingly few have been formally designated as national symbols. The giant panda, red-crowned crane, peony and ginkgo all have strong associations with China, yet their official status is often overstated.

What Is the National Animal of China?

The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is widely regarded as China’s national animal, although we could not verify a formal government designation giving it that specific title.

There is little doubt about the panda’s national significance. Chinese government sources routinely describe the species as a “national treasure,” and it has become perhaps the most internationally recognizable symbol of Chinese wildlife.

Wild giant pandas occur naturally only in China, primarily in mountainous areas of Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu. Their dependence on extensive bamboo forests and historically declining habitat also made them a flagship species for Chinese wildlife conservation.

China’s commitment to the species is visible in the creation of the Giant Panda National Park, which protects a vast area of panda habitat and connects previously fragmented populations.

The panda has also played an unusual role in Chinese diplomacy. Animals sent or loaned to other countries have become so closely associated with international relations that the practice is popularly known as “panda diplomacy.”

So while calling the giant panda China’s official national animal goes beyond the designation we could verify, describing it as China’s foremost wildlife symbol and a national treasure is firmly supported.

What Is the National Bird of China?

China does not currently appear to have an officially designated national bird. The red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis) is frequently given this title, but its proposed designation was never clearly established as official.

The confusion has a genuine origin. The red-crowned crane has enormous cultural significance in China and was proposed as a candidate for national-bird status. Chinese authorities and ornithological organizations have discussed the selection of a national bird, with the crane receiving substantial support.

The species has represented longevity, good fortune and nobility in Chinese art and culture for centuries. Its distinctive white plumage, black neck and red crown make it one of East Asia’s most recognizable birds.

However, being a leading candidate is not the same as receiving an official designation.

The most accurate answer is therefore that China has no verified official national bird, while the red-crowned crane is an important traditional symbol and has been widely proposed for the role.

What Is the National Flower of China?

China has no officially designated national flower, although the peony is widely regarded as the leading candidate and an important floral symbol of the country.

The tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa) has been cultivated in China for centuries and traditionally represents prosperity, wealth and honor. Its cultural importance has earned it the Chinese epithet often translated as the “king of flowers.”

The question of establishing an official national flower has been debated repeatedly. In 2019, China’s National Forestry and Grassland Administration conducted a public consultation in which the peony received overwhelming support.

That did not, however, complete a formal national designation.

The distinction is useful because many sources simply state that the peony is China’s national flower. A more accurate description is that the peony is China’s best-known unofficial national flower and has received strong public support for formal recognition, but China has not officially designated a national flower.

What Is the National Tree of China?

The ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) is commonly described as China’s national tree, but we could not verify an official national-tree designation.

The tree nevertheless has an exceptional connection with China. Ginkgo belongs to an ancient lineage with a fossil record extending back millions of years, while China played a crucial role in the species’ survival and subsequent cultivation around the world.

Ginkgo trees have been planted for centuries around temples, monasteries and historic sites, and exceptionally old specimens survive in several parts of the country. Their distinctive fan-shaped leaves and brilliant yellow autumn foliage have made them familiar elements of Chinese landscapes and culture.

For these reasons, the ginkgo is sometimes presented as China’s national tree. But as with the red-crowned crane and peony, strong cultural association should not be mistaken for a verified official designation.

The ginkgo is better described as one of China’s most distinctive and historically important trees rather than its formally established national tree.

National Symbols of Japan

Japan’s best-established natural symbols include the green pheasant and chrysanthemum. The sugi, or Japanese cedar, is strongly associated with the country’s forests and culture but does not appear to have a formal national-tree designation.

What Is the National Bird of Japan?

The green pheasant (Phasianus versicolor), or kiji, is generally recognized as Japan’s national bird. It was selected by the Ornithological Society of Japan in 1947, although the designation is not legally established.

The green pheasant is endemic to Japan, occurring naturally across the main islands of Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu. Males are particularly distinctive, with dark green plumage, a violet-blue neck and bright red facial skin, while females are predominantly mottled brown.

Its selection as the national bird reflected several characteristics, including its presence across much of Japan and its longstanding place in Japanese culture.

The pheasant appears prominently in Japanese folklore, most famously in the story of Momotaro, in which a pheasant joins a monkey and dog in accompanying the hero on his journey to defeat a band of ogres.

The bird also has an unusual reputation for sensitivity to environmental disturbances. Pheasants have sometimes been reported behaving unusually before or during earthquakes, although claims that they can reliably predict earthquakes are not scientifically established.

Japan’s government itself makes an important distinction regarding its status: the green pheasant was declared the national bird by the Ornithological Society of Japan, not through legislation or an official government designation. It is therefore best described as Japan’s generally recognized national bird rather than a legally established state symbol.

What Is the National Flower of Japan?

The chrysanthemum is widely recognized as one of Japan’s national flowers and has particularly strong associations with the Imperial Family.

Chrysanthemums, known as kiku in Japanese, were introduced to Japan from China many centuries ago and became deeply embedded in Japanese culture. Their importance eventually extended to the imperial institution itself.

A stylized 16-petalled chrysanthemum serves as the Imperial Seal of Japan and is closely associated with the Emperor and Imperial Family. The Japanese monarchy is consequently sometimes referred to as the Chrysanthemum Throne.

The flower also appears in everyday Japanese culture. Chrysanthemum exhibitions and festivals are held during autumn, while the flower traditionally represents longevity and rejuvenation.

Japan does not have a simple statutory national-flower designation comparable to some countries. The chrysanthemum is nevertheless routinely recognized as a national flower through its historical and imperial significance.

The cherry blossom, or sakura, deserves mention as well. It is arguably Japan’s most internationally recognizable flower and has enormous cultural importance, particularly through the spring tradition of hanami, or flower viewing. Sakura is consequently also frequently described as a national flower of Japan.

Rather than choosing one and dismissing the other, it is more accurate to say that the chrysanthemum has the stronger connection with official imperial symbolism, while the cherry blossom functions as an exceptionally important cultural symbol of Japan.

Does Japan Have a National Tree?

We could not verify an officially designated national tree of Japan. The sugi (Cryptomeria japonica), sometimes called Japanese cedar, is frequently given this title but does not appear to have formal national-tree status.

Sugi is nevertheless one of Japan’s most important trees. It is native to the country and has been planted extensively for forestry, particularly since large-scale reforestation programs expanded after the Second World War.

The tree also has a much older cultural history. Monumental sugi can be found around Shinto shrines, Buddhist temples and historic sites, where exceptionally old specimens are sometimes treated as sacred trees.

Perhaps the most famous are the ancient Yakusugi of Yakushima, an island whose old-growth forests form part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Some of these trees are estimated to be thousands of years old.

Sugi therefore has a strong claim to being one of Japan’s most characteristic trees. But its ecological, economic and cultural importance should not be converted into an official designation without evidence.

The most accurate answer is that Japan has no clearly verified official national tree, while sugi is one of the country’s most important native and cultural tree species.

Does Japan Have a National Animal?

Japan does not have a formally designated national animal. Several native species have strong cultural associations with the country, but none appears to have been officially selected to represent Japan as its national animal.

The Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata), Japanese serow (Capricornis crispus) and sika deer (Cervus nippon) are among Japan’s most recognizable native mammals. The Japanese serow has particularly strong protected status as a Special Natural Monument of Japan, but this does not make it the national animal.

Claims online sometimes assign different species the title of Japan’s national animal, but we could not verify an authoritative designation. It is therefore more accurate to say that Japan has no officially recognized national animal.

National Symbols of Mongolia

Mongolia has several strongly established natural symbols. The saker falcon and Ber Tsetseg have documented national status, while the takhi is one of the country’s most recognizable wildlife symbols. Mongolia has also more recently granted special national status to the critically endangered Gobi bear.

What Is the National Animal of Mongolia?

The takhi, or Przewalski’s horse (Equus ferus przewalskii), is widely regarded as Mongolia’s national animal and is one of the country’s most important wildlife symbols, although we could not verify a formal designation equivalent to Mongolia’s national bird or flower.

Known locally as takhi, meaning “spirit” or “worthy of worship,” Przewalski’s horse is the world’s last surviving truly wild horse lineage. Mongolia is particularly important to its story because the species disappeared from the wild during the 20th century before becoming the subject of a remarkable international reintroduction effort.

Beginning in the early 1990s, captive-bred takhi were returned to Mongolia. Reintroduced populations now live in protected areas including Hustai National Park, Great Gobi B Strictly Protected Area and Khomyn Tal.

The return of an animal that had vanished from its native landscape has made the takhi an especially powerful symbol of Mongolian wildlife conservation.

However, its widespread description as Mongolia’s “national animal” should be treated differently from the country’s formally designated national bird and flower. The takhi is unquestionably a major Mongolian wildlife symbol, but we could not establish a formal government designation naming it the national animal.

There is also another animal that deserves mention.

The Gobi Bear: Mongolia’s National Pride Animal

The Gobi bear, or mazaalai (Ursus arctos gobiensis), was declared a “national pride animal” of Mongolia in 2023.

Found only in Mongolia’s Great Gobi, the mazaalai is an extremely rare desert-adapted brown bear and one of the country’s most threatened mammals. Its tiny population survives in an exceptionally harsh environment where food and water are scarce.

Its formal recognition gives the Gobi bear a different kind of national status from the takhi. While the takhi is more widely described as Mongolia’s national animal, the mazaalai has received an explicit modern government designation recognizing it as an animal of national pride.

Including both therefore gives a more accurate picture of Mongolia’s animal symbolism than assigning the country a single species without qualification.

What Is the National Bird of Mongolia?

The saker falcon (Falco cherrug) is the national bird of Mongolia. The Mongolian government selected the species for national-bird status in 2012.

The saker is a large, powerful falcon found across the open landscapes of Mongolia and other parts of Eurasia. Its hunting ability has also given the species a long association with traditional falconry, particularly across Central and Inner Asia.

The designation was intended not only to recognize the bird’s cultural significance but also to draw attention to its conservation. Saker falcons have faced pressures including habitat changes, electrocution on power infrastructure and capture for the falconry trade.

Unlike several birds elsewhere in East Asia that are popularly described as national birds without formal recognition, Mongolia’s saker falcon has a documented government designation.

What Is the National Flower of Mongolia?

Ber Tsetseg (Scabiosa comosa) is the national flower of Mongolia. It was selected as the country’s national flower in 2014.

The plant produces delicate bluish-purple flower heads and grows naturally across Mongolia’s grasslands and steppe environments.

Its selection followed a public process involving several candidate flowers, with Ber Tsetseg ultimately chosen to represent the country. The choice reflects the plant’s widespread presence and its close association with the Mongolian steppe, one of the landscapes most strongly identified with the country.

Does Mongolia Have a National Tree?

We could not verify an officially designated national tree of Mongolia.

Mongolia contains extensive forests in its north, dominated by species such as Siberian larch (Larix sibirica), while the saxaul (Haloxylon ammodendron) is particularly characteristic of the country’s arid and Gobi landscapes.

Both have considerable ecological importance, but neither should be presented as Mongolia’s national tree without evidence of a formal designation.

The most accurate answer is therefore that Mongolia does not appear to have a clearly established national tree, despite having several tree and shrub species strongly associated with its distinctive landscapes.

National Symbols of North Korea

North Korea has formally identified several natural national symbols, including a flower, bird and tree. It has also designated the Pungsan dog as a national dog, giving us a relevant animal symbol even though the country does not appear to use the conventional title of “national animal.”

Does North Korea Have a National Animal?

North Korea does not appear to have a formally designated national animal, but the Pungsan dog is officially recognized as the country’s national dog.

The Pungsan dog is a native Korean breed traditionally associated with the mountainous region around Pungsan, now Kimhyonggwon County in Ryanggang Province. Known for its strength and endurance, it was historically used as a hunting dog.

North Korea designated the Pungsan as its national dog in 2014, recognizing the breed as part of the country’s natural and cultural heritage.

The breed has also acquired symbolic importance in relations between North and South Korea. Following the 2000 inter-Korean summit, North Korean leader Kim Jong Il presented two Pungsan dogs to South Korean President Kim Dae-jung. Kim Jong Un similarly gave a pair to South Korean President Moon Jae-in following their 2018 summit.

It is therefore more accurate to describe the Pungsan as North Korea’s national dog and an important animal symbol rather than assigning the country an unverified official national animal.

What Is the National Bird of North Korea?

The northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), known in Korean as Chammae, was designated as North Korea’s national bird in 2008.

The goshawk is a powerful forest-dwelling bird of prey found across large parts of the Northern Hemisphere, including the Korean Peninsula. Its short, broad wings and long tail allow it to maneuver rapidly through wooded habitats while hunting birds and mammals.

North Korean descriptions associate the goshawk with bravery, determination and an independent spirit, qualities used to explain its selection as a national symbol.

Unlike China’s red-crowned crane or South Korea’s magpie, whose supposed national-bird status is less formally established, North Korea’s designation of the goshawk is documented as a state decision.

What Is the National Flower of North Korea?

North Korea’s national flower is the Mokran, generally identified as Magnolia sieboldii. It received national-flower status in 1991.

Mokran produces large white flowers with prominent reddish centers and grows naturally in mountainous and forested areas of the Korean Peninsula.

Despite sometimes being called a magnolia, its Korean name literally means “woody orchid.” The plant is valued for its attractive flowers and fragrance and has been promoted extensively as a symbol of the country.

The Mokran should not be confused with South Korea’s Mugunghwa. Despite sharing the Korean Peninsula, North and South Korea have different national flowers, reflecting the separate national symbolism developed by the two states.

What Is the National Tree of North Korea?

The pine was designated as North Korea’s national tree in 2015. The tree is generally associated with the Korean red pine (Pinus densiflora), a species widespread across the Korean Peninsula.

Pines have a much older symbolic role in Korean culture than their modern national designation. Their evergreen foliage has traditionally represented longevity, constancy and resilience, and pine trees appear frequently in Korean painting, poetry and landscapes.

The species is also closely connected with everyday Korean scenery, occurring naturally on mountain slopes and forming characteristic forests across the peninsula.

North Korea’s formal designation therefore gave official status to a tree that had already carried strong cultural meaning for centuries.

National Symbols of South Korea

South Korea’s natural symbolism requires an important distinction between official national symbols and animals or plants with strong cultural associations. The Mugunghwa has clear official status, while the Korean tiger, magpie and red pine are better understood as representative cultural symbols.

What Is the National Animal of South Korea?

South Korea does not appear to have a formally designated national animal. The Korean tiger is nevertheless one of the country’s strongest and most recognizable animal symbols.

The tiger historically inhabited the Korean Peninsula and occupies an extraordinary place in Korean folklore, painting and mythology. It has variously represented strength, courage and protection, while traditional stories sometimes portray tigers as humorous or surprisingly human characters.

The animal’s importance remains visible even though wild tigers disappeared from South Korea during the 20th century. Tigers were chosen as mascots for both Olympic Games hosted by the country: Hodori, a friendly tiger, represented the 1988 Seoul Summer Olympics, while Soohorang, a white tiger, represented the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics.

The species is sometimes called the Siberian tiger or Amur tiger, although “Korean tiger” is generally more appropriate when discussing its cultural significance in Korea.

South Korean government material recognizes the tiger as an important symbol of Korean culture and identity. However, the country’s official list of national symbols does not establish it as a formal national animal.

It is therefore most accurate to say that South Korea has no verified official national animal, while the Korean tiger functions as a powerful cultural and national emblem.

What Is the National Bird of South Korea?

The Oriental magpie (Pica serica) is widely regarded as South Korea’s representative national bird, but we could not verify a formal government designation giving it official national-bird status.

Magpies are familiar birds across South Korea and have longstanding positive associations in Korean folklore. Traditionally, the arrival or call of a magpie could be interpreted as a sign that welcome guests or good news were coming.

The bird frequently appears in traditional Korean painting, particularly alongside tigers. In kkachi horangi, or “magpie and tiger” paintings, the magpie and tiger form one of the most distinctive combinations in Korean folk art.

The magpie’s cultural familiarity helps explain why it is so often described as South Korea’s national bird. But as with the tiger, cultural recognition should not be confused with a formally established national designation.

What Is the National Flower of South Korea?

The Mugunghwa (Hibiscus syriacus), commonly called the Rose of Sharon in English, is the national flower of South Korea and one of the country’s officially recognized national symbols.

Its Korean name is associated with the idea of something everlasting or inexhaustible, making the flower a symbol of the endurance of the Korean people.

The Mugunghwa’s national significance predates the establishment of modern South Korea. References connecting the flower with Korea extend back centuries, while it became particularly important as a symbol of Korean identity during the modern period.

Its name also appears in the refrain of South Korea’s national anthem, the Aegukga, which refers to Korea as a land of Mugunghwa.

Unlike the tiger and magpie, the Mugunghwa is explicitly presented by South Korea’s Ministry of the Interior and Safety as one of the country’s national symbols. Its status is therefore much clearer.

Does South Korea Have a National Tree?

South Korea does not appear to have a formally designated national tree, although the Korean red pine (Pinus densiflora) is one of the country’s most important cultural tree symbols.

Red pines are characteristic of Korean landscapes and have appeared in Korean painting, poetry and traditional symbolism for centuries. Because they remain green through winter and can survive difficult conditions, pines traditionally represent longevity, resilience and constancy.

The tree is also prominent in traditional landscape imagery and around historic and religious sites. Its cultural significance is shared across the Korean Peninsula, which helps explain why pine has received formal national-tree status in North Korea.

In South Korea, however, we could not verify an equivalent official designation. The Korean red pine is therefore better described as a representative cultural tree of Korea rather than South Korea’s formally designated national tree.

National Symbols of Taiwan

Taiwan’s plum blossom has clear official status, while the Formosan black bear and Taiwan blue magpie have become powerful representative symbols without equivalent formal national designations.

What Is the National Animal of Taiwan?

Taiwan does not have a formally designated national animal, but the Formosan black bear (Ursus thibetanus formosanus) is widely regarded as its representative or unofficial national animal.

The Formosan black bear is a subspecies of Asiatic black bear found only in Taiwan. It is easily recognized by the distinctive white V-shaped marking on its chest and is the island’s largest native land mammal.

Historically, the bears occurred across much of Taiwan, but habitat loss and hunting greatly reduced their population and distribution. Today they survive primarily in remote mountainous forests and are protected as an endangered species.

Their combination of endemism, rarity and conservation importance has helped transform the Formosan black bear into one of Taiwan’s most recognizable wildlife symbols. Bear imagery now appears widely in conservation campaigns, tourism and popular culture.

The species is consequently often called Taiwan’s “national animal.” However, we could not verify a government act formally granting it that title.

The distinction is therefore similar to China’s giant panda: the Formosan black bear is unquestionably an important wildlife emblem of Taiwan, but its commonly cited national-animal status is unofficial.

What Is the National Bird of Taiwan?

The Taiwan blue magpie (Urocissa caerulea) is widely regarded as Taiwan’s national bird, but this status comes from a public selection rather than a formal government designation.

The species is endemic to Taiwan and immediately recognizable by its bright blue body, black head, red bill and exceptionally long blue-and-white tail.

Taiwan blue magpies live primarily in forests at lower and middle elevations. They are highly social birds, often moving in family groups and cooperating in raising young.

Their national association became particularly prominent in 2007, when the Taiwan blue magpie won an international online campaign to select a national bird for Taiwan. More than one million votes were reportedly cast during the selection process.

The result helped establish the blue magpie as a popular representative bird of Taiwan, and the species has subsequently appeared on commemorative coins and other public imagery.

However, the vote did not amount to a formal government designation. The most precise description is therefore:

The Taiwan blue magpie is Taiwan’s popularly selected and widely recognized representative national bird, but it is not a formally designated state symbol.

What Is the National Flower of Taiwan?

The plum blossom (Prunus mume) is the officially designated national flower of the Republic of China (Taiwan). The Executive Yuan formally selected it on July 21, 1964.

The plum blossom has a long history in Chinese art, literature and culture. One of its defining characteristics is its ability to flower during the cold of winter and early spring, often before other plants have begun to bloom.

This has given the flower strong associations with resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity.

The Office of the President also connects characteristics of the flower with traditional virtues. Its three stamens are associated with Sun Yat-sen’s Three Principles of the People, while its five petals have been linked symbolically with the five branches of the Republic of China’s government.

Unlike Taiwan’s bear and blue magpie, there is therefore no ambiguity about its formal status: the plum blossom is an officially designated national symbol.

Does Taiwan Have a National Tree?

We could not verify a formally designated national tree of Taiwan.

Taiwan has an exceptionally distinctive native flora, including trees such as the Taiwan red cypress (Chamaecyparis formosensis), Taiwania (Taiwania cryptomerioides) and camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora). Several have considerable ecological, historical or cultural importance.

However, none should be assigned the title of national tree simply because it is particularly representative of Taiwan.

The most accurate answer is therefore that Taiwan has no clearly established official national tree, despite having several endemic and culturally significant tree species that strongly represent the island’s natural heritage.

Why Are So Many East Asian National Symbols Unofficial?

Calling something a country’s “national animal” or “national tree” can make its status sound much more formal than it actually is.

Some symbols have a clear official basis. Taiwan’s plum blossom, for example, was formally selected by the Executive Yuan in 1964. South Korea explicitly recognizes the Mugunghwa among its national symbols, while Mongolia formally selected the saker falcon as its national bird.

Others derive their status from organizations rather than governments. Japan’s green pheasant was selected as the national bird by the Ornithological Society of Japan in 1947, but the Japanese government notes that this designation has never been legally recognized.

Then there are cultural symbols whose national association developed without a formal designation. China’s giant panda, South Korea’s tiger and Taiwan’s Formosan black bear are good examples. Their importance to national identity is real, even if describing them as officially designated national animals is inaccurate.

Finally, some claims have simply been repeated across websites until they appear authoritative. This is why the red-crowned crane is routinely called China’s national bird and ginkgo its national tree, despite the lack of a verified formal designation.

Frequently Asked Questions About East Asian National Symbols

---