Eternal flame facts for kids
An eternal flame is a special flame that burns for a very, very long time. It is often kept burning to create a powerful symbol. These flames can remind people of important events, ideas, or heroes.
Long ago, there was an eternal flame in an ancient Greek temple at Delphi. Today, you can find many famous eternal flames around the world. Some well-known examples include the one at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Paris, France. There is also the John F. Kennedy Eternal Flame at his grave in the Arlington National Cemetery in the United States. Another important one is at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, Australia.
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What is an Eternal Flame?
An eternal flame is a continuous fire. It is usually kept burning as a memorial or a symbol. These flames are often found at places that honor soldiers who died in wars. They can also be used to remember important people or events. The fire itself is not truly "eternal" in the sense of never ending. Instead, it is carefully maintained so it does not go out. This constant burning helps to show lasting respect and remembrance.
Famous Eternal Flames Around the World
Many countries use eternal flames to honor their history and heroes. These flames serve as a constant reminder of sacrifices made.
Honoring Soldiers and Heroes
- Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Paris: This flame burns under the Arc de Triomphe. It honors all the unknown soldiers who died for France in wars.
- John F. Kennedy Eternal Flame: Located at Arlington National Cemetery, this flame marks the grave of the former U.S. President. It was lit by his wife, Jacqueline Kennedy, after his death.
- Australian War Memorial: In Canberra, Australia, an eternal flame honors all Australians who have died in wars.
- Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Moscow: This flame in Russia remembers the Soviet soldiers who died during World War II.
- Sarajevo Eternal Flame: In Bosnia and Herzegovina, this flame honors the victims of World War II.
Other Significant Flames
- Pira da Liberdade, Brazil: This flame in São Paulo symbolizes freedom in Brazil.
- Pantheon of Fatherland and Freedom, Brasília: Another flame in Brazil, this one honors national heroes.
- Peace Flame, Hiroshima: In Japan, this flame burns at the Peace Memorial Museum. It symbolizes the hope for a world without nuclear weapons.
Natural Eternal Flames
While most eternal flames are man-made, some places have natural flames. These fires burn because of natural gas escaping from the ground.
- Fires of Chimera, Turkey: At Yanartaş in Çıralı, Turkey, natural gas vents have been burning for thousands of years.
- Darvaza Gas Crater, Turkmenistan: Also known as the "Door to Hell," this large crater has been burning since 1971. It was lit to burn off natural gas.
These natural flames show how fire can be a powerful force in nature, just as eternal flames are powerful symbols for people.
Related pages
Images for kids
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The eternal flame at Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin in Russia. It remembers those lost in World War II.
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An eternal flame at a World War II memorial in East Berlin, Germany.
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The Eternal Flame in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with its eternal flame under the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France.
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The eternal flame at Brothers' Cemetery in Riga, Latvia.
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The eternal flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow, Russia.
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An Eternal Flame in Vinnytsia, Ukraine.
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An eternal flame war memorial in Bowman, South Carolina, USA.
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The Pira da Liberdade, a Brazilian eternal flame, in São Paulo, Brazil.
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The Pantheon of Fatherland and Freedom, Tancredo Neves in Brasília, Brazil.
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An eternal flame at the Shrine of Remembrance in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
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The Raj Ghat memorial in Delhi, India.
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The Peace Flame at the Peace Memorial Museum in Hiroshima, Japan.
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An eternal flame is shown on the Philippine 1000-peso bill.
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The Fires of Chimera at Yanartaş, Çıralı, Turkey.
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The Darvaza gas crater, near Derweze, Turkmenistan, has been burning since 1971.
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A tour guide cooks pancakes on natural flames at Murchison, New Zealand.
See also
In Spanish: Llama eterna para niños
