National Symbols in the Constitutions of Romania and the Republic of Moldova. Outline for an Integrated Study of the Common Constitutional Traditions of the Two Countries

Constitutionally enshrined national symbols represent an expression of legal tradition and state identity. The Constitutions of Romania and the Republic of Moldova contain provisions concerning the flag, anthem, coat of arms, and other symbols of sovereignty, reflecting both a shared legal and historical heritage and the distinct trajectories of each state. This paper offers a comparative analysis of how national symbols are integrated into the two constitutions, highlighting the survival and adaptation of the constitutional tradition in light of European constitutionalist influences. It examines whether these symbols are merely remnants of the past or whether they actively function as instruments in legitimizing constitutional order and defining contemporary state identity. Through this research, an integrated perspective emerges on the continuity of the Romanian constitutional tradition in both states and on how it adapts to new legal and political realities.