National symbols of Belarus

These included a flag of red and white stripes and a coat of arms consisting of a charging knight on horseback.

The main element of the flag is a red and green bicolour, then decorated with an ornament pattern at the hoist position.

The elements of the emblem include a ribbon in the colours of the national flag, a map of Belarus, wheatears and a red star.

On the base of a red shield, an armoured white knight is mounted on a silver horse, with a sword drawn and charging to the left.

The only change that occurred was dropping the Soviet-era lyrics and choosing just to use the music, composed by Nieścier Sakałoŭski.

On July 2, 2002, President Lukashenko issued a decree adopting new lyrics to the anthem, written by Uładzimier Karyzna.

Not only the lyrics were chosen, a protocol guide related to the national anthem was released by Lukashenko.

Since the early 20th century, the Pahonia is widely used as the symbol of the Belarusian national liberation movement.

Pahonia is included in the official list of objects of the immaterial cultural and historical heritage of Belarus, however, persons are being persecuted for its public display.

The Cross of Saint Euphrosyne, a 12th-century relic which disappeared during the Second World War, is considered a spiritual symbol of Belarus.

[12] The European bison, commonly called the wisent, is seen as a symbol of Belarus and the Belavezha Forest.