Nationalism is a considerably modern
political ideology that has dominated human history since the period of
enlightenment. With the emergence of nationalism, people started to identify
themselves with the nation they ascribe to rather than their other identities
such as their religion. This shift reveals itself with the emergence of sacred
symbols and rituals of nationalism. The new rituals and sacred symbols become
the part of daily life. However, the new rituals and symbols has not only provided
the autonomy of the national identity but has also reshaped the minds of the
members of the nations. Thus, this paper argues that sacred symbols and rituals
exist implicitly and appear in daily life while also constructing and shaping
the minds of the members of the nation. The first paragraph argues that sacred
symbols and rituals exist in daily life and are perceived as normal even though
some of these actions are bizarre in nature. The second paragraph explains that
the rituals and symbols are more than implicit in that they shape human life
and thoughts significantly.
National identity is shaped with respect to
the myths of nationalism such as the myth of common history, sacred land, the sacred
community and autonomy (Smith, p.19-44). These myths result in the
sacralization of the land, community, and history. They are kept alive and depicted
via sacred national symbols and rituals. The most ubiquitously observed
manifestation of the unity in identification bought about by nationalism is the
homogeneity of celebrating the same national holidays, revering the same flag,
respecting the same national heroes and upholding national solidarity. A
typical act of national allegiance in this sense, can be observed during
remembrance days of national heroes through rituals. For instance, thousands of
people come together and remember the death of Ataturk (meaning “the father of
Turks”) every year at the time of his passing. Many Turks visit the grave of
Ataturk and even go as far as stopping their car and standing in the middle of
the road in order to properly pay tribute and remember him. These rituals and
symbols create unity among the members of the nation in that all members of the
nation are expected to participate. These rituals and symbols have a distinctively
important character in terms of maintaining the autonomy of the nation and ensuring
its authenticity in comparison to other nations. However, the most interesting aspect
about the rituals is not their
peculiarity per se but their peculiarity going unnoticed, as
argued by Michael Billig as well (Billig, 8). Put in context, the most intriguing
aspect is that when people stand in the middle of the road collectively, the
reason behind this action is never interrogated. This is an example of how
symbols and rituals are integrated into daily life.
National symbols and rituals do not
have a passive character, but they are capable of actively shaping the minds of
the members of nations. They affect the members in many different aspects,
including political ideas, social relations and their perception of their
national identity and their nation. For example, national anthems and pledges
of allegiance actively shape the minds and characteristics of the people. Each
nation has its own unique anthem, and many nations have distinct pledges of allegiance
that ensure the idea of autonomy for the nation. Furthermore, they are
collective rituals in which members of nations assemble, observe the rules of
the ritual, and recite the sacred words. The anthems and pledges not only
represent the constituents of national identity, but the ideas and emotions
conveyed are of a guiding nature, a sort of imposition of the characteristics
of the ideal member of the nation. For instance, the British national anthem
starts with “God save our king” signifying that there is a legitimate
monarchy which rules the British nation, thus the monarch is a very important
person for the British nation who should be respected and cherished by the
members of the nation. Similarly, students pledge their allegiance to the flag of
the US by reciting the following: "I pledge allegiance to the Flag of
the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one
Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all" (Britannica).
Initially, the idea of the pledge
as a nation to something holy is very similar to the Judeo-Christian idea of the
testament between God and the people of Israel. In Judeo-Christian literature,
ancient Israel made an agreement with God to keep certain principles and they
were the chosen people of God, and the chosen people was protected by God
(Biblehub, 2 King 17.35-39). This similarity implies that the American identity
is sacred. However, the parties of the pledge is not the nation and God but rather
an American and the US flag which is a symbol of the nation. This distinguishment
represents the importance and sacrality of the flag in the minds of Americans.
Wilbur Zelinsky that American flag holds a visual power on Americans like
crucifix (Marvin, 770. Secondly, it also implies that Americans should uphold
and defend the liberal principles such as liberty and justice for all. As a
third point, the pledge inherently includes the idea that the people of the US are
chosen by God. Thus, these rituals implicitly shape the national identity and
political, social and even metaphysical components of the members of the
nation. They represent how an ideal American and British should believe, live
and behave.
As a
result, rituals and symbols of nations instill unity among members of the
nation and ensure the idea of the authenticity of nations. Their bizarre nature
goes unnoticed and are in fact integrated in daily life despite their
peculiarity. They are also significant in the creation of national identity, enhancing
the impact of nationalism by shaping political, social and individual ideas of
people.
Works Cited
Billig, Michael. Banal Nationalism. SAGE, 1995.
Billig says that: “The metonymic image of banal nationalism is not a flag
which is being consciously waved with fervent passion; it is the flag hanging
unnoticed on the public building”
Pledge
of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America | History & Text
| Britannica
Smith, Anthony Douglas. Chosen Peoples. Oxford University Press,
2003.
Zelinsky, Wilbur. Nation
in State. Chapel Hill University of north Carolina Press. 1988.
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