The founding principles of the Unión are present in their symbols:
The European flag
The 12 stars in a circle symbolise the ideals of unity, solidarity and harmony among the people of Europe.
The European anthem
The melody used to symbolise the EU comes from the Ninth Symphony composed in 1823 by Ludwig Van Beethoven.
The anthem symbolises not only the European Union but also Europe in a wider sense. The poem "Ode to Joy" expresses Schiller's idealistic vision of the human race becoming brothers - a vision Beethoven shared.
Without words, in the universal language of music, this anthem expresses the European ideals of freedom, peace and solidarity.
Europe Day
The ideas behind the European Union were first put forward on 9 May 1950 by French foreign minister Robert Schuman. This is why 9 May is celebrated as a key date for the EU.
The EU motto
It signifies how Europeans have come together, in the form of the EU, to work for peace and prosperity, while at the same time being enriched by the continent's many different cultures, traditions and languages
