The National animal of New Zealand is the kiwi, a small, flightless bird that thinks it’s a mammal. The national animal of England is a lion, a majestic, sharp-toothed hunter that, really, has nothing whatsoever to do with England. At least the kiwi is native to New Zealand!
What about each nation’s other symbols; how do they compare? Let’s see…
NATIONAL FLOWER
England: Rose
New Zealand: Silver Fern
NATIONAL ANTHEM
England: God Save the Queen
New Zealand: God Defend New Zealand
NATIONAL SPORT
England: Cricket, (but it’s football really!)
New Zealand: Rugby
PATRON SAINT
England: George
New Zealand: The Virgin Mary
COAT OF ARMS
England: Gules, three lions passant guardant in pale or armed and langued azure, (apparently! Well, you know, it’s basically three golden lions on a red background…)
New Zealand: The Southern Cross, a dead sheep, some immigrant ships, a wheat sheaf and some mining tools, which neatly tells you all you need to know about New Zealand, really. (Basically like this except the lion at the top holding the Union Flag is now just a crown and they’re standing on a fern…)
Filed under: People and Culture Tagged: Coat of Arms, England, National Animal, National Anthem, National Flower, National Sport, National Symbols, New Zealand, Patron Saint
This post first appeared on POMS AWAY! | A British Immigrant's View Of New Zealand, please read the originial post: here
