The national animal that a country chooses to have can carry a lot of weight. That creature goes on to become a symbol of that nation and represent information technology on the world phase, and so they have to possess a lot of bang-up qualities that reverberate local values and ambitions.

With that in mind, it's always confusing when the national animal of a state is something odd or imaginary, like a unicorn! Sometimes, the national animal might exist as normal as a house cat, only the national insect or bird is something spectacular. Keep reading to detect out what strange national animals these countries have adopted as their own.

xi Scotland: The Unicorn

This is non a drill. The national brute of Scotland really is a unicorn. It's official: we are all moving to Scotland! Fifty-fifty though unicorns are mythological creatures, they tin can however serve as national animals. A variety of countries have mythical creatures as their national animals (many of which yous'll run into on this list!).

Scotland is exactly the type of country that would have something as magical as a unicorn representing their state. The dramatic green mural, misty off-shore islands, and aging medieval ruins all add to the enchanted vibe. If unicorns did be, they would definitely live in Scotland!

x Wales: The Dragon

It looks like Scotland isn't the only country in the United Kingdom to have a mythical beast as its national animal. Game of Thronesfans volition love this! The national brute of Wales is a Welsh dragon. This creature appears on the Welsh flag, portrayed in vibrant red confronting a white and green backdrop.

Legend has it that this flag was the battle standard that King Arthur and his men carried with them. Even if it never actually belonged to Male monarch Arthur, it's still a pretty peachy flag to have.

9 China: Chinese Dragon

Speaking of dragons, China also has a dragon as its national animal. And of course, theirs is a Chinese dragon rather than a Welsh dragon. Non all dragons were created equal! The Chinese dragon appears in Chinese mythology and is said to have control over the element of water.

The Emperor of Red china would traditionally showroom the dragon to showcase his strength, every bit the Chinese dragon is likewise believed to be a symbol of power. Dragons are a big deal in Chinese culture, often seen as lucky and favorable.

8 Serbia: White Eagle

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National animals don't always announced on a state'southward flag, but when your animal is every bit absurd as Serbia's, how tin can yous not want to make it the blueprint of your flag? The double-headed Serbian white eagle is non only the country's national creature and appears on the flag, but has also historically appeared in Serbian heraldry.

Originating from medieval times, the white eagle is brandished with a cross and was actually adopted from the Byzantines. In times of state of war, propaganda has been released depicting the eagle triumphing over Serbia'south enemies.

6 North korea: Winged Horse (Chollima)

In Greek mythology, the winged horse is known equally Pegasus. But in East Asian mythology, the winged horse is called Chollima and serves as the national fauna of North Korea. The story goes that the Chollima is so divine that it tin can't exist ridden by men.

In Pyongyang, in that location is a statue of the Chollima which draws in tourists from all over the earth. Still, this statue is mounted by a rider. Chollima is also the name of the North Korean football team and has been used to refer to political and economic movements in the country

5 Greece: Phoenix

Greek mythology simply has too many fascinating creatures for the state to prefer a real creature equally ane of its national animals. While the national animate being of Hellenic republic is the dolphin, the national bird is the phoenix. For those who aren't familiar with Greek mythology (and oasis't seen Harry Potter), the phoenix is a bird that bursts into flames when information technology dies and is then reborn from its own ashes.

All over the earth, the phoenix has come to resemble starting again and rebirth. It'south definitely a very absurd beast to have represent your state, fifty-fifty if it doesn't actually be!

4 Hungary: Turul

Another country to take a mythical animal equally its national brute is Hungary, which is represented by the Turul. Like to a militarist or falcon, the Turul is a bird of casualty from Hungarian mythology that sometimes serves a guardian or protector spirit.

According to legend, the Turul guided the Magyars from the plains of Asia to what is now Budapest. Information technology then dropped a sword on the site, letting the people know that this was to exist their new home. The bird is likewise a symbol of the Hungarian army.

3 Kingdom of bhutan: Thunder Dragon

Sometimes referred to equally the Druk, the thunder dragon is the national animal of the Kingdom of Bhutan. You'll exist able to see this creature on the country'southward national flag, where information technology is depicted with jewels to convey the idea of wealth.

Throughout Kingdom of bhutan, yous'll also see farther evidence of the thunder dragon on the local culture. A number of hotels in the land are named after the Druk, as is Drukair, the Royal Bhutan Airlines. At that place are also bout companies named later the famous thunder dragon. Like Kingdom of bhutan and China, many other Asian countries have their own versions of dragons that are important in their civilization.

2 Portugal: Rooster Of Barcelos

A rooster isn't a very heady national fauna. Just Portugal hasn't given just any rooster the part. In fact, the national animal of Portugal is the Rooster of Barcelos. Aside from the Iberian wolf, this is ane of the most popular symbols in Portugal.

The folk tale that accompanies the rooster states that the rooster once saved an innocent man from a false confidence and death sentence by crowing to declare his innocence. You lot'll find the rooster's prototype all over Portugal, and even if yous've never been to Portugal, there's a gamble you lot might have seen it before. The Rooster of Barcelos is really the logo for the fast-food chain Nando's!

1 Czech republic: Double-Tailed Lion

A regular lion would exist a sufficient enough fauna to represent your country, but the Czechia takes it 1 step further by having the double-tailed lion every bit their national animate being. The creature too appears on the coat of arms of the Czech republic.

Information technology's a good thing that the Czech republic had more than a regular panthera leo serving as the national brute because at that place is already a list of countries whose national fauna is merely a plain old lion. They include England, Ethiopia, Republic of the gambia, Iran, Kenya, Libya, Luxembourg, Morocco, Singapore, and Sri Lanka among others.

NEXT:  x Reasons Why The Czech Republic Should Be On Your Bucket List

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Lucy Lazzarus (522 Articles Published)

Lucy is a freelance author who has written widely across the Valnet websites, including The Things, The Richest, The Talko, Screen Rant, and The Travel.

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