October 18, 2026

Which stringed instrument has featured on the Royal Standard of the United Kingdom since King James VI and I's accession in 1603, and in Sri Lanka appears as the South Asian Tamil yaal that serves as the symbol of the City of Jaffna?

A Classical guitar
B banjo
C violin
D Harp

The harp was adopted as a symbol of the Kingdom of Ireland on coinage in 1542, then placed on the Royal Standard of King James VI and I in 1603, and has featured on United Kingdom Royal Standards ever since. In Sri Lanka, the Tamil harp yaal is the symbol of the City of Jaffna, whose legendary root traces to a harp player.

Play the October 18, 2026 quiz