Question

How did symbols help in the making of the Indian nation – did they give a sense of identity.

Answer 1

Hi,

Your answer:
The national flag of India is a rectangular tricolor flag with horizontal bars, tricolor with the symbol of a blue spinning wheel in its center.

The saffron color of the upper part indicates courage and self-denial. This color is important for Hindu, Buddhist and Jain religions because it means the renunciation and absolution of the ego. It is the color worn in the spirit of detachment by wandering renunciates, and is intended to remind political leaders to do their job without seeking material gain, but rather for the good of the nation.

The white stripe in the middle of the flag represents honesty, purity and peace. In Indian philosophy, white represents cleanliness and knowledge. It means light and the path of truth to guide the national leadership of India. Politically, white band functions is a reminder to political leaders that the ultimate national goal is to maintain a state of peace. This is especially important because of the bloodshed that has surrounded India's Independence, Partition and many tensions.

The green band on the lower half of the flag represents faith, fertility and prosperity. In Indian philosophy, it is considered a festive and stabilizing color, it represents life and happiness. It bears witness to the value given to the land, the land on which all lives depend. The Green Band serves as a reminder to political leaders to protect the Indian soil from both external enemies and internal human destruction.

The circular symbol in the center of the blue flag, the Ashoka chakra, is the wheel of Dharma, the cosmic law that maintains the order of the universe. At the heart of all the religions present in India: Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism and Sikhism all subscribe to the notion of Dharma. In addition, the wheel represents the movement as a reminder that India can not oppose change, as forward progress is the key to national success in a changing world.

In summary, we can remember:

- Saffron represents purity and spirituality

- White represents peace and truth

- Green represents fertility and prosperity

- The wheel represents the work

For the record, this flag was adopted on July 22, 1947, a few days before the Independence of India, during the period of "The Dominion of India". A semblance of this flag had already been adopted by the Congress Party in 1921 (the symbol of colors then meant: saffron for Hinduism, green for Islam and white for minority religions).

Good bye ;)

Answer 2

Symbols are not some sort of images. They are ideologies blasted from the past.  

They may express, myth or unbelievable thing, but they are a part of identities. They expresses unique culture and communication apart from myths and mysteries. Every symbol carry a history. Every symbol is a prophecy of a great sole or a prophecy of great community.

For example: consider the Ashoka Chakra in the middle of Indian national Flag. Ashoka Chakra that is represented with 24 spokes directly points out the edicts of Ashoka.  

There are plenty of examples like this.