National symbols of Lithuania national anthem during the Soviet era, and was reinstated in 1992 when the new constitution was ratified. "Lietuva brangi" (Precious Lithuania), written by the poet Maironis, is another important song sometimes called the unofficial national anthem. Gediminas and Mindaugas are generally regarded as the founding fathers of Lithuania. Gediminas was said to have had a dream which led to the founding of Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania; in this dream, an iron wolf howled all night near the site of the present-day Gediminas Tower. A seer interpreted this as meaning that a great city should be built there. "What is
National symbols of Lithuania his capital. The Iron Wolf Mechanised Infantry Brigade ("motorizuotoji pėstininkų brigada 'Geležinis vilkas"') is now the core unit of the Lithuanian Army. The bear is an ancient symbol of Samogitia, one of the regions of Lithuania, and appears in the coat of arms of Šiauliai district. A moose is shown in the Lazdijai district municipality coat of arms and the aurochs is featured in the Kaunas coat of arms. The national plant is rue ("rūta"). A bride traditionally wears a little crown made of rue, which is a symbol of maidenhood. During the wedding the crown is burned, symbolizing the