What is the animal on the Sri Lanka flag?

The prominent animal on the Sri Lankan flag is the golden lion, which means lion. Known as the “Sinha” in Sinhala, this majestic creature is so central to the nation’s identity that the flag itself is commonly referred to as the Sinha Flag or the Lion Flag.

While lions are not native to the island today, the animal on the Sri Lanka flag serves as a powerful heraldic symbol representing the bravery of the Sinhalese people and the nation’s historical roots.

The Symbolism of the Lion on the Sri Lanka Flag

The lion is not just a decorative element; every part of the sri lanka animal on flag carries a specific meaning:

• The Lion itself: Represents the Sinhalese ethnicity and the strength/bravery of the nation.
• The Sword: Held in the lion’s right forepaw, it symbolizes the sovereignty of the country and the bravery of its people.
• The Curly Hair: The curls on the lion’s head represent religious observance, wisdom, and meditation.
• The Eight Hairs on the Tail: These represent the Noble Eightfold Path of Buddhism.
• The Beard: Symbolizes purity of words.
• The Nose: Represents intelligence.

History of the Flag with Lion and Sword

The use of the lion as a royal symbol dates back to the arrival of Prince Vijaya, the legendary first king of Sri Lanka, in 486 BC. According to the Mahavamsa (an ancient chronicle), Vijaya brought a flag depicting a lion.

The modern design is heavily inspired by the Royal Standard of the last King of Kandy, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe. When the British captured the Kandyan Kingdom in 1815, the flag with lion and sword was taken to England and kept at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. It was later rediscovered by E. W. Perera in the early 20th century, becoming a rallying point for the independence movement.

Components of the Modern Ceylon Flag

While the lion is the central figure, the modern flag was updated in 1951 and 1972 to be more inclusive of Sri Lanka’s diverse population:

Symbol	Representation
Maroon Background	The Sinhalese majority.
Orange Stripe	The Tamil minority.
Green Stripe	The Muslim minority.
Yellow Border	Other minority groups and the unity of the nation.
Four Bo Leaves	The four Buddhist virtues: Loving-kindness (Mettha), Compassion (Karuna), Sympathetic Joy (Mudita), and Equanimity (Upekkha).

Fun Fact: Is the Lion the National Animal?

Interestingly, while the lion is the famous animal on the Sri Lanka flag, it is not the official national animal of Sri Lanka. That title is often associated with the Sri Lankan Elephant or the Grizzled Giant Squirrel, while the Sri Lankan Junglefowl is the official national bird.