Having a passion and love for your own country can help you learn about history and become a better citizen. Learning how to love the country or learning how to love the country better can be done through education about its culture and history, and taking an active role as a citizen. Once you understand these things, you can start showing your patriotism by wearing traditional clothes, raising the flag, celebrating national holidays, and devoting yourself to making the country more advanced in the future!
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Method 1 of 3: Demonstrating Patriotism
Step 1. Wear patriotic colors, flags, national figures, or other images
There's no more obvious way to show love for your country than to show it on your clothes and accessories! Each country has a distinctive image that shows its identity, and becomes its symbol in the eyes of the international community. However, make sure you understand that wearing a shirt bearing the United States flag in the United States is a violation of the national symbol.
- Some countries have easily recognizable national colors. Uniquely shaped flags like Nepal, for example, have a unique shape. The two superimposed banners with the sun and moon symbols in them are clearly very different from the rectangular flags of other countries.
- Bears have been associated with Russia since the 1500s. This animal represents various aspects, such as the symbol of a guard. The ferocious bear in the red shirt above the hammer and sickle must be a Russian symbol.
- There are various types of flags that use the colors red, white, and blue and have a star symbol, but no other flag than the flag of the United States combines these colors and 50 stars.
Step 2. Fly the country flag
You can buy flags, bumper stickers, or other emblems at your nearest store. Hang it in your car, front yard, or other place to show love for your country. Remember to treat the flag with respect.
- Learn flag handling etiquette. Normally, flags should not touch the ground, be used in a damaged condition, or be thrown away carelessly. In the United States, the flag may not be part of any uniform, costume, or attire.
- Fold the flag properly when storing it. There is a special way to fold the flag. Find information on how to fold the flag correctly so you can use the right technique.
Step 3. Go to the national parade
There are many countries that hold special events to show people's love and pride for their country, or country of origin. This event is usually held on Independence Day or other historic days. Celebrate the day with your fellow countrymen.
- Participate by standing and dancing to traditional songs.
- Have fun with other participants who are filled with pride for their country.
Step 4. Celebrate a national holiday
What is your country celebrating on this historic day? Did they win the war? Did they achieve independence? Understand that holidays are more than just an opportunity to party, or in some countries, a chance to get a discount. Identify the main purpose of a national holiday celebration, especially a historic day to commemorate the victory of a bloodshed.
Method 2 of 3: Devoting Yourself to the Country
Step 1. Be an active citizen
Actively show your love for your country by getting involved in politics. Keep trying to advance the country! There are many ways to contribute to the politics of your country, whether it's through time, effort, or knowledge.
- Volunteer to oversee elections or local elections. Participate in the democratic process by helping others who do not understand politics, or do not understand the electoral system used.
- Participate as a calling agent for the party. Contact several people using the script provided by the political party or candidate for office of your choice. You will be satisfied when you find someone who shares your political views.
- Raise funds for the campaign of your chosen leader candidate. Running for office costs a lot of money, whether from large donations from contributors or from public fundraising events.
Step 2. Encourage children to love their country
Cultivate a sense of love for the homeland so that they become respected citizens. This is the best way to set a positive example. As the child grows older, explain why you want them to have a sense of patriotism.
Remember that blind patriotism is very dangerous. Encourage children to use common sense
Step 3. Find a hero
Look for people who can be used as role models and are able to represent the values of the state. Look for people who make you proud to be an Indonesian citizen. Choose a hero who plays an important role in the history and development of the country.
- The winner of the title of national hero is a good role model. There are various highest military awards honoring people who are willing to make great sacrifices for their country, such as the Victoria Cross award in the UK and its Commonwealth countries, the Congressional Medal of Honor in the United States, or the Order of Taegeuk Military Merit in South Korea.
- Great leaders who carry out major reforms can also be good role models. One example is King Chulalongkorn of Siam who ended the practice of slavery immediately after becoming king, changing the country's judicial and financial system, eschewing colonialism, and laying the foundations for today's Thai people.
- Athletes can sometimes become national heroes. For example, during the pre-World War III period, Adolf Hitler planned to use the Olympics to prove the dominance of the Aryan race. American sprinter Jesse Owens messed up the plan by winning four gold medals in various categories.
Step 4. Join the military
There is nothing more patriotic than joining the military. It is the best act to sacrifice life for the safety of the country. This is so important that a country like South Korea imposes conscription so that there are many adults who are pro-military policies.
Method 3 of 3: Educate Yourself to Broaden State Insights
Step 1. Study the history of your country
Learn about the country's foundations, the key moments that brought it into being, and its reputation since its founding as a sovereign nation. Encourage positive changes made by the country based on the dark history of the past.
- Find out where your country stands during the war, either directly or indirectly. Who are his allies and enemies? Has the state always sided with the good side throughout history, or has it been seen as the villain in major confrontations?
- Find out the political situation in your country. Is the situation always the same? Or were there wars and major changes, for example from a monarchy to a republic?
- Look for important milestones in the history of the country. Examine the timeline from ancient times to the present, then analyze and make interpretations of major events.
Step 2. Find out and memorize the national anthem
Showing patriotism through the national anthem is very important because the verses show words that describe the country's past history. In addition, most of the national anthems have gone through several amendments so the content may have changed and not become the national anthem in the first place.
- Canada's national anthem was written in Quebec city by Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier, and was originally given the title "national chant". This song represents various feelings, especially the feelings of the English and French-speaking Canadians, after the first world war.
- During the French revolution, a French Army captain named Claude-Joseph Rouget de Lisle composed the song “La Marseillaise” – named for the troops from Marseilles singing it as they approached Paris – as an act of resistance against the combined Austrian and Prussian forces. This song was made to move people to want to fight for their rights and freedoms.
- Written by Francis Scott Key in September 1812, the United States national anthem – known as The Star-Spangled Banner – was originally a poem celebrating the success of the American fort Fort McHenry in the face of British forces. The lyrics were written on a British ship the morning after pre-battle negotiations for the release of prisoners of war. The next morning, he is released from the ship and the lyrics are a reminder of the triumph of Fort McHenry.
Step 3. Read the story of the hero in your country
Most of the old legends and tales have always had some truth in them. Creativity and imagination are needed to make the story sound great. The following stories perfectly illustrate one's pride in the heroic stories of the past.
- The Chinese are said to have kept the secret of silk production for more than 3,000 years. It is said that they keep the secret strictly from the buyer's country so that anyone who leaks it will be sentenced to death.
- One of the Egyptian legends says that King Surid once dreamed of seeing the earth upside down from top to bottom. That's why he put the rich people in the Pyramids and sealed them there. Since there are still some pyramids undiscovered, this story may be true.
- The legend of the Indian tribes in America related to the story of the "Tower of Satan" states that the god pushed rocks and dirt up to save a boy from a big bear, the animal then clawed and tried to climb up to pounce on him. Since the "Tower of Satan" was actually formed from a geological process called intrusion, what is told in this legend is more or less true.
Step 4. Focus on current events
Learn what the nation's heroes are doing right now to make the country proud. See if they are industry experts, export experts, or athletes. Learn how they help others or join an organization to make the world a better place.
- On 23 May 2016, India became the third country in the world to launch a space satellite, at a cost that was almost 10 times cheaper.
- The Syrian refugee crisis in 2016 affected many countries. This topic has been widely debated, but learning why your country is helping or not helping them is closely related to today's moral issues.
Tips
- Don't be judgmental or too bigoted. Every country, religion or race has its own beliefs. Just like them, you have your own beliefs. So, respect different beliefs. Loving one's own country does not mean badmouthing other countries.
- You don't have to agree to all the decisions and events that have occurred throughout the history of the country. Pay attention to the way the state rises from its mistakes, as well as the ideology contained in guiding documents (such as Pancasila). Even if the principle is not absolute, use it as a guide for realizing good governance for the people – and humanity in general – for the sake of advancing the country.
- Damaging the country or taking advantage of the systems and programs provided by the government is not a good thing to show love. Corrupt actions like this go against the good intentions that lie at the heart of patriotism.
Warning
- Always follow the rules regarding the use of flags.
- Don't fall for blind patriotism or jingoism. No country is perfect and ignoring the negative parts of history and modern events is not a good way to increase love. In fact, by acknowledging the mistakes of the past and pushing for change in the present, you can help create a better and more proud country.
