The Council of the State of Sandus has recently chosen two new national symbols for Sandus: homarus gammarus, also known as the common lobster, and the hydrangea. The Council decided unanimously to choose the common lobster as its national animal, while the hydrangea faced competition from the lotus as the national flower but still won by a 66% margin.
The common lobster was proposed by the Sôgmô both because of its shell colour, blue and white (the Sandum national colours), and also for its culinary history. Originally, the lobster was a less-privileged food and was reserved for the working class; today, however, the lobster makes up haute cuisine in the Americas and around the world. “I wanted a symbol that not only was patriotic for its appearance in the blue and white, but whose history also reflects our countries ideals and passions: working-class, cultured, and traditional,” the Sôgmô explained.
It is also known by Sandum citizens and micronationalists around the world as the Sanôba’s beloved and favourite animal. The lobster even appears on his coat of arms.
The hydrangea faced competition from citizens who advocated for the lotus, a well-known symbol in Buddhism. But the hydrangea won out with the Sôgmô’s support because Sandum citizens can cultivate hydrangeas and because the flower comes in the nation’s bicolour, blue and white. But also, “it reacts to how basic and acid the soil is, which I think is an amusing metaphorical statement.”
The move to make new national symbols in Sandus comes after MicroCon 2019 when the Sandum delegation admired the many and various symbols attendees had for their own micronations. It was decided that Sandus should follow suit, and now Sandus will soon more new national symbols. To date so far, citizens have called for a national gem, tree, dessert, and drink.
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