There are a number of national symbols of Luxembourg, representing Luxembourg or its people in either official or unofficial capacities.
Under Luxembourgian law, 'national emblem' (French : emblèmes nationaux) is strictly defined as the national anthem, the national flag, the national coat of arms, and the national civil ensign. [1] However, there are many other symbols, both official and unofficial, that symbolise the Luxembourgian nation in the public consciousness.
The national flag of Luxembourg consists of three horizontal stripes, red, white and light blue, and can be in 1:2 or 3:5 ratio. It was first used between 1845 and 1848 and officially adopted in 1993. It is informally called in the country, «rout, wäiß, blo».
The three districts of Luxembourg were the top-level administrative divisions of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. The districts were further subdivided into cantons, which still exist:
"Ons Heemecht" is the national anthem of Luxembourg. Written by Michel Lentz in 1859 and set to music by Jean Antoine Zinnen in 1864, it is performed at national celebrations, while the royal anthem, or, more accurately, the grand ducal anthem, "De Wilhelmus", is performed at entrances or exits of members of the Grand Ducal Family.
The grand duke of Luxembourg is the monarchical head of state of Luxembourg. Luxembourg has been a grand duchy since 15 March 1815, when it was created from territory of the former Duchy of Luxembourg. It was in personal union with the United Kingdom of the Netherlands until 1890 under the House of Orange-Nassau. Luxembourg is the world's only sovereign Grand Duchy and since 1815, there have been nine monarchs, including the incumbent, Henri.
The coat of arms of Luxembourg has its origins in the Middle Ages and was derived from the arms of the Duchy of Limburg, in modern-day Belgium and the Netherlands. In heraldic language, the arms are described as: Barry of ten Argent and Azure, a Lion rampant queue forchée Gules crowned, armed and langued Or.
Bascharage is a town and a former commune in south-western Luxembourg. Since 2012, it is part of the commune of Käerjeng.
The Grünewald is a forest in central Luxembourg, most of which is owned by the national government. Grünewald stretches through the communes of Niederanven, Steinsel, and Walferdange; the centre of the forest is situated 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) north-east of central Luxembourg City. As a result of its proximity to Luxembourg's capital city, it is a popular destination for tourism, leisure, and hospitality. Within the Grünewald are the sources of the Black Ernz and the White Ernz.
Mémorial is the official gazette of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. It is published by the Central Legislation Service, an agency of the government of Luxembourg. Until the Second World War, Mémorial was published in both French and German, which were the two official languages of Luxembourg. Since the war, it has been published in only French.
The Grand Duke's Official Birthday, also known as Luxembourgish National Day, is celebrated as the annual national holiday of Luxembourg. It is celebrated on 23 June, although this has never been the actual birthday of any ruler of Luxembourg. When the monarch of Luxembourg is female, it is known as the Grand Duchess's Official Birthday.
The Grand Ducal Gendarmerie was the national Gendarmerie force of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, carrying both civil and military duties. It merged on January 1, 2000, with local police forces under state authority to form the Grand Ducal Police, the country's current national police force.
"De Wilhelmus" is the grand ducal anthem of Luxembourg. Lyrics for it were written in 1919 by Luxembourgish writer Nik Welter, although they are not often used in official performances. The anthem is performed whenever a member of the Grand Ducal Family enters or leaves an official ceremony, while the national anthem, "Ons Heemecht", is performed at national celebrations.
National symbols of France are emblems of the French Republic and French people, and they are the cornerstone of the nation's republican tradition.
The German invasion of Luxembourg was part of Case Yellow, the German invasion of the Low Countries—Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands—and France during World War II. The battle began on 10 May 1940 and lasted just one day. Facing only light resistance, German troops quickly occupied Luxembourg. The Luxembourgish government, and Grand Duchess Charlotte, managed to escape the country and a government-in-exile was created in London.
Guillaume Konsbruck was a Luxembourgian military officer, politician, and manager of the steel company Arbed.
Émile Speller was a Luxembourgish military officer and the commander of the country's Gendarmes and Volunteers Corps during the German invasion of Luxembourg in World War II. He also served as aide-de-camp to several members of the Grand Ducal Family throughout his career and chamberlain of the Grand Ducal court.
De Roude Léiw is the common name used for the civil ensign of Luxembourg. It can also refer more specifically to the heraldic animal of Luxembourg, which is often used as an emblem or mascot for various institutions and symbols related to Luxembourg.