Makna Garuda Pancasila

The Meaning of Garuda Pancasila

by Herlina Agustin

​Burung garuda

​Garuda bird has been known through ancient mythology in the history of the Indonesian nation, namely Vishnu's vehicle which resembles an eagle.

​The Garuda bird symbolizes knowledge, strength, courage, loyalty, might, and sharpness. Because of that he was used as a symbol of the state of Indonesia.

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​Garuda Pancasila describes Indonesia as a big and strong nation.

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​Garuda Pancasila is an image designed by Sultan Hamid II, the eldest son of the 6th Sultan of Pontianak. Garuda Pancasila was validated as the symbol of the Indonesian state on February 11, 1950.

​Garuda Pancasila has a golden body. His body looks dashing with both wings outstretched. The beak is pointed and sharp. His claws gripped tightly on a white band.

​Garuda Pancasila consists of the following parts:

a. head

b. neck

c. wing

d. shield

e. tail

f. claws

​1. Head

​The very top of the Garuda Pancasila is the head. The head of Garuda Pancasila turns to the right (when viewed from the perspective of Garuda Pancasila). This illustrates that the Indonesian nation sided with the truth. The Indonesian nation upholds truth and justice.

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​The part of the body of Garuda Pancasila which is located under the head is the neck. The feathers on the neck of the Garuda Pancasila are 45 strands, which indicate the last two digits of the year of Indonesia's independence.

​2. Neck

​3. Wings

​Garuda Pancasila has two wings, namely the right wing and the left wing. The two wings of Garuda Pancasila are spread wide. The number of feathers on the wings of the Garuda Pancasila is 17 strands which indicates the date of our country's independence.

​4. Shield

On the chest of Garuda Pancasila there is a shield. The shield symbolizes the struggle and self-defense to achieve the country's goals. In the center of the shield was a thick black line. This line describes the location of the country of Indonesia which is traversed by the equator.

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​The base color inside the shield is red and white. The color symbolizes our flag, namely the red and white flag.

​In the shield there are five different images.

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​5. Tail

​The tail of the Garuda Pancasila is located at the bottom of its body. The tail of Garuda Pancasila consists of the base of the tail and the tip of the tail.

- The base of the tail of the Garuda Pancasila has 19 strands of feathers.

- The tip of the tail of the Garuda Pancasila has 8 strands of feathers which symbolizes the month of August, the month Indonesia was proclaimed its independence.

​6. Claws

​Garuda Pancasila has sharp and strong claws. The claw firmly gripped the white ribbon that read Bhinneka Tunggal Ika.

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The words Bhinneka Tunggal Ika comes from the Sutasoma Book by Mpu Tantular. Bhinneka means different things. Single means one. Ika means that. The meaning of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika is different, but still one. Bhinneka Tunggal Ika is the motto of our nation's unity and integrity.

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​The number of feathers on the body of Garuda Pancasila symbolizes the date of the proclamation of Indonesian independence on August 17, 1945 (17-8-1945).

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