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 purports the nation is 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. A national epic is an epic poem or similar work which seeks or is believed to capture and express the essence or spirit of a particular nation; not necessarily a nation-state, but at least an ethnic or linguistic group with aspirations to independence or autonomy. ... A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that is evoking and eulogizing the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognized either by a nations government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Eugène Delacroixs Liberty Leading the People, symbolising French nationalism during the July Revolution. ...

National treasure can be a shared cultural asset, which may or may not have monetary value, such as 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, while the national treasures of Korea are a numbered set of artifacts, sites, and buildings which are recognized by South Korea as having exceptional cultural value. Living National Treasure is a title awarded in countries including Japan and Australia. ... Plan of Saint Gall. ... The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of the government of Japan designates the most famous of the nations cultural properties as National Treasures (国宝: kokuhō). Examples of the types of works that receive this designation are Buildings at castles, temples, shrines Paintings, scrolls, sutras... The Buddha statue at Seokguram Grotto, the 24th Korean national treasure. ...

National treasure can be taken more literally and signify the actual monetary worth of a nation. For example, going to war can cost national treasure. Treasure is a concentration of riches, often that which is considered lost or forgotten until being rediscovered. ...

Notable national treasures

There are thousands of national treasures around the world. Listed here are a representative sample of the different types of things that can be national treasure:

• People
  • Lalo Guerrero was declared a national treasure by the Smithsonian Institution in 1980.
  • After the World Cup in 1962, wealthy European clubs offered massive fees to sign the young player, but the government of Brazil declared Pelé an official national treasure to prevent him from being transferred out of the country.

• Places
  • Horyu-ji temple in Japan.
• Cultural artifacts
  • The Fairy Queen in India.
  • The Declaration of Independence for the United States.
• Geographic features
  • The Constitution of Greece of 2001 declared that the Greek coastline is a national treasure (see Patras).
  • United States National Parks are considered to be national treasures.

paige says hi Eduardo Lalo Guerrero (December 24, 1916 – March 17, 2005), credited as being the father of Chicano music, was a Mexican-American guitarist, singer and farm labor activist best known for his strong influence on todays Latin artists. ... The Smithsonian Institution Building or Castle on the National Mall serves as the Institutions headquarters. ... The FIFA World Cup Trophy, which has been awarded to the world champions since 1974. ... Edson Arantes do Nascimento, KBE (born October 23, 1940 in Três Corações, Brazil), best known by his nickname Pelé, is a former Brazilian football player, and is regarded by many as the greatest footballer of all time. ... Horyu-ji. ... The Fairy Queen, built in 1855, is the worlds oldest steam locomotive in regular operation today, plying between New Delhi to Alwar in India (note that the oldest operable steam locomotive in existence currently is the John Bull, which was built in 1831; however, the John Bull is preserved... ... The Syntagma (Σύνταγμα), the Constitution of Greece is resolved by the Fifth Revisionary Parliament of the Hellenes and entered into force in 1975. ... Coordinates 38°15′ N 21°44′ E Country Greece Periphery West Greece Prefecture Achaea Province Greece Population 171,616 (2001) Area 125. ... The parks of the United States National Park system are one type of protected area in the United States and are operated by the U.S. National Park Service. ...

See also

• Treasures