Decoding Cultures- Switzerland
Swiss Symbols & Artifacts
National symbols represent the visible part of any culture, the one that can be perceived with our 5 senses.
Symbols have a strong correlation with the image of the country and are the basic element of national identification and communication.
National symbols intend to unite people by creating visual and iconic representations of the national people, values, goals, or history.
National Flag
The flag of Switzerland, with its unusual square shape and bold red and white cross is recognised across the world for its iconic design. The Swiss Flag
Mountains
In the collective imagination Switzerland is associated with skiing and mountains, and more particularly with the mythic Matterhorn. The Matterhorn-Symbol of Switzerland
Mountains have impact on Switzerland’s image abroad
Switzerland- a Hiking Paradise
DID YOU KNOW?… that Alpinism has been inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the UNESCO: Living Traditions- Swiss Alpinism
Banking
Switzerland is recognized as one of the world’s most important and renown major financial centers. Almost a quarter of the world’s foreign assets are managed in Switzerland. Swiss Financial Center
Swiss Guard Vatican
The Swiss Guard was established by Pope Julius II in 1506, and is serving the popes for more than 500 years now. The Swiss Guard
Chalet
The chalet is a Swiss symbol par excellence. During the Romantic movement, when the European elite began to take an interest in Switzerland, the chalet came to symbolise a natural, simple, free, and democratic way of life. How the Chalet became a Symbol of Switzerland
Edelweiss
With the growing popularity of alpinism in the 19th Century, the flower became a national symbol of Switzerland. The Mystical and Mythical Edelweiss
Swiss Army Knives
Swiss knives have become a symbol of Switzerland for many reasons: it’s on many tourists’ shopping list, it stands for Swiss precision and quality and it’s well known all over the world, almost everyone owns one of these pocket knives. Swiss Army Knives- History & Facts
Watchmaking
Swiss watches enjoy a worldwide reputation of excellence. It’s the country’s third largest export industry and a symbol of Swiss know-how. Watchmaking Industry
Chocolate
Switzerland is one of the largest chocolate producer in the world and Swiss people are the biggest chocolate consumers worldwide. From the iconic Toblerone, to Lindt, Frey or Cailler, Swiss chocolate belongs to the Culinary Heritage of Switzerland. Swiss Chocolate
Cheese
Like Swiss watches, cheeses from Switzerland embodies proven Swiss precision and reliability. 11 Facts about Swiss Cheese
Helvetia
Helvetia symbolizes Switzerland. You can find her on 1 and 2 francs coins, on stamps, as well as on a wealth of other products. Helvetia-Personification of Switzerland
Cows
All over the world people associate cows with Switzerland. There’s something quintessentially Swiss about a herd of cows chewing the cud in an Alpine meadow: Switzerland’s Iconic Cow.
The Swiss have also invented pocket-sized wooden cows – a miniature piece of Swiss heritage: the sStory Behind Switzerland’s Iconic Wooden Toy Cow
Alphorn
The alphorn is considered the Swiss national instrument and – based on his origins as a herders horn – also a symbol of the dairy industry in the Alps. Its shape is derived from the curved trunks of hillside fir trees. The alphorn-the-sound-of-natural-tones
Gotthard Tunnel
The Swiss are a nation of tunnel constructors. The political will to connect regions separated by mountains has resulted in the creation of more than 1,300 tunnels and galleries over the years, with a total length of about 2,000 km. The Legend of the Gotthard Pass
Müsli
Dr. Maximilian Bircher-Benner,a Swiss physician and nutritional pioneer developed muesli around 1900 to help treat his ill patients. Ever since, it became a Swiss breakfast classic all over the world and stands for healthy food. Müsli- the story behind the Swiss Breakfast Classic
Chillon Castle
Chillon Castle is the most visited monument in Switzerland and a symbol of the country. Other national monuments are the wooden bridge in Lucerne, the old town of Bern and the St Gall abbey (UNESCO World Heritage sites). Switzerland’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Swiss Brands
Among the most famous and recognizable Swiss brands are Migros, Rolex, Swatch, Nestlé, Ricola, Victorinox, Mövenpick, Nespresso, Toblerone, Ovomaltine, Rivella, Swiss Brands you should Recognize
Saint Bernard Dogs
The legendary four-legged hero is famous worldwide. The most renowned of these dogs, Barry, is supposed to have saved the lives of over 40 people. The St Bernard- The Making of a Swiss Alpine Legend