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The official question catalogue has 7 questions on this topic. In the app you practise them with instant feedback and in the exam simulation.
The name of the state
The full name of Germany is the Federal Republic of Germany. The constitution carries this name in its title too: “Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany”. It also appears on official documents, for example on the passport.
The name “Federal Republic” shows how the state is built. The Federation and the federal states (Länder) together form a federation with its own order.
The flag
The federal flag is black, red and gold. This is stated explicitly in Article 22 of the Basic Law (Grundgesetz). The colours are thus a symbol of the whole Federal Republic and not of a single party or region.
A flag is a sign of belonging. That is why the federal flag is displayed on the buildings of state bodies and at official celebrations.
The federal coat of arms and the eagle
The federal coat of arms shows a single-headed black eagle with red details on a golden background. The eagle is the heraldic animal and the state emblem of the Federal Republic of Germany.
A lion, a bear and a horse appear in individual state or city coats of arms, for example the bear in the coat of arms of Berlin. The federal coat of arms, by contrast, shows the eagle.
The eagle is an old symbol. Earlier German states, too, used an eagle as their heraldic animal. Today’s federal coat of arms is therefore a sign that goes back to a long tradition.
The national anthem
The German national anthem is the third verse of the “Song of the Germans”. Its official text begins with the words “Unity and justice and freedom”. The first verse, beginning “Germany, Germany above all”, is not part of the national anthem.
The melody of the anthem comes from Joseph Haydn. He wrote it in 1797 for the Austrian imperial anthem.
Buildings and symbols in parliament
The Reichstag building in Berlin has a glass dome. The Federal Parliament (Bundestag) has its seat there, and its plenary sessions take place there.
In the plenary chamber of the Federal Parliament, the large federal eagle hangs on the front wall. This eagle is therefore a sign of the Federation.
Symbols in everyday life
State symbols are state emblems. They show that a state acts and stands behind its order. That is why you find the federal eagle on official documents such as the passport. Many official certificates and ID documents also bear such state emblems.
The anthem is played at state ceremonies. Anyone who knows the symbols understands the country’s order better. They stand for the state as a whole, not for a government or a party.
These 7 questions are in the test
- 21Welches ist das Wappen der Bundesrepublik Deutschland?
- 29Welches Tier ist das Wappentier der Bundesrepublik Deutschland?
- 40Mit welchen Worten beginnt die deutsche Nationalhymne?
- 55Was zeigt dieses Bild?
- 212Wie heißt Deutschland mit vollem Namen?
- 214Welche Farben hat die deutsche Flagge?
- 216Welches Symbol ist im Plenarsaal des Deutschen Bundestages zu sehen?
Each question with its explanation is on the question pages. You can practise with answers in the app.
SourcesDer Bundesadler - Deutscher BundestagNationalhymne der Bundesrepublik Deutschland - BundesregierungBundesministerium der Justiz: Grundgesetz für die Bundesrepublik DeutschlandBauwerke - Deutscher Bundestag
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