The idea of national treasure, like national epics and national anthems, is part of the language of romantic nationalism, which arose in the late 18th century and 19th centuries. Nationalism is an ideology which supports the nation as the fundamental unit of human social life, which includes shared language, values and culture. Thus national treasure, part of the ideology of nationalism, is shared culture.
National treasure can be a shared cultural asset, which may or may not have monetary value; for example, a skilled banjo player would be a Living National Treasure. Or it may refer to a rare cultural object, such as the medieval manuscript Plan of St. Gall in Switzerland. The government of Japan designates the most famous of the nation's cultural properties as National Treasures of Japan. The National Treasures of Korea are a set of artifacts, sites, and buildings which are recognized by South Korea as having exceptional cultural value.
There are thousands of national treasures around the world. Listed here are samples of the different types of things that can be national treasure:
Examples of people who have been described as national treasures include the following:
Certain countries officially designate individuals or groups as Living National Treasures. See, for example, Living National Treasures of Japan.
American actress, comedian, television presenter and producer Betty White, who has been working in television since 1939, is often referred to as a national treasure in the United States.
Comedian, actor, author and director Stephen Fry, broadcaster and naturalist Sir David Attenborough, and racing driver Stirling Moss have in several high-brow non-industry-specific publications been referred to as national treasures of the United Kingdom.
After the Brazil national football team won the 1962 FIFA World Cup, wealthy European clubs offered massive fees to sign their young star player, Pelé, but the government of Brazil declared him an official national treasure to prevent him from being transferred out of the country.
The late German humorist Vicco von Bülow alias Loriot had the status of a national treasure in Germany.
In 2013 the British satirical magazine Private Eye began running a column poking fun at an exponential increase in references in the press to "national treasures".
Namdaemun in South Korea.
Hōryū-ji in Japan.
The Fairy Queen locomotive in India.
The Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights for the United States.
Stonehenge and the Magna Carta in the United Kingdom. The National Treasure for Public Life is called The Magna Carta Award.
Original katanas made by Japanese blacksmiths
Chinese bronze tripod cauldrons (ding) dating back to the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BCE)
Moon rock collected in the lunar space missions by NASA's Apollo missions
The Constitution of Greece of 2001 declared that the Greek coastline is a national treasure (see Patras).
The United States natural and cultural resources that collectively comprise the National Park System are considered to be a national treasure.
In 1997, the United States Library of Congress recognized the song Truckin' by the rock band Grateful Dead as a national treasure of the United States.
Andy Williams's voice was one described as a national treasure by U.S. President Ronald Reagan.
Bald eagle in United States
Odd-eyed cat in Turkey
Panda in China
Raja elephant of Sri Lanka
Cecil the Lion of Zimbabwe
