As it can be guessed from the facts that 'Omi' derived from 'Chikatsu awaumi (a fresh-water lake near the capital)' and Shiga is called a 'Lake Country,' Lake Biwa, which is located in the center of the prefecture, is a symbol of Shiga.
「近江」が「ちかつあはうみ（都近くの淡水湖）」に由来し、現在も滋賀県が「湖国」と呼ばれることからも窺えるように、県の中央に位置する琵琶湖は本県のシンボルである。