Editing Head of state (section)

===Symbolic role===
One of the most important roles of the modern head of state is being a living [[national symbol]] of the state; in hereditary monarchies this extends to the monarch being a symbol of the unbroken continuity of the state. For instance, the [[Monarchy of Canada|Canadian monarch]] is described by the government as being the [[Monarchy of Canada#Personification of the Canadian state|personification of the Canadian state]] and is described by the [[Department of Canadian Heritage]] as the "personal symbol of allegiance, unity and authority for all Canadians".<ref name=Heritage>{{cite web|url=http://www.pch.gc.ca/eng/1363187221658|title=The Crown in Canada|date=13 December 2013 |access-date=31 August 2014|publisher=[[Department of Canadian Heritage]]|format=PDF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808051404/http://www.pch.gc.ca/eng/1363187221658|archive-date=8 August 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchAndCommonwealth/Canada/TheQueensroleinCanada.aspx The Queen's role in Canada] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220102227/http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchAndCommonwealth/Canada/TheQueensroleinCanada.aspx |date=20 February 2009 }}, [[Royal Households of the United Kingdom|Royal Household]]. Retrieved on 2 November 2012.</ref>

In many countries, official [[portrait]]s of the head of state can be found in government offices, courts of law, or other public buildings. The idea, sometimes regulated by law, is to use these portraits to make the public aware of the symbolic connection to the government, a practice that dates back to medieval times. Sometimes this practice is taken to excess, and the head of state becomes the principal symbol of the nation, resulting in the emergence of a [[personality cult]] where the image of the head of state is the only visual representation of the country, surpassing other symbols such as the [[flag]].

Other common representations are on [[coin]]s, [[Postage stamp|postage and other stamps]] and [[banknote]]s, sometimes by no more than a mention or signature; and public places, streets, monuments and institutions such as schools are named for current or previous heads of state. In monarchies (e.g., Belgium) there can even be a practice to attribute the adjective "royal" on demand based on existence for a given number of years. However, such political techniques can also be used by leaders without the formal rank of head of state, even party - and other revolutionary leaders without formal state mandate.

Heads of state often greet important foreign visitors, particularly visiting heads of state. They assume a host role during a [[state visit]], and the programme may feature playing of the [[national anthem]]s by a [[military band]], inspection of [[Guard of honour|military troops]], official exchange of gifts, and attending a [[state dinner]] at the [[official residence]] of the host.

At home, heads of state are expected to render lustre to various occasions by their presence, such as by attending artistic or sports performances or competitions (often in a theatrical honour box, on a platform, on the front row, at the honours table), expositions, [[National Day|national day celebrations]], dedication events, military parades and war remembrances, prominent funerals, visiting different parts of the country and people from different walks of life, and at times performing symbolic acts such as [[Ribbon-cutting ceremony|cutting a ribbon]], [[groundbreaking]], [[Ship naming and launching|ship christening]], laying the first stone. Some parts of national life receive their regular attention, often on an annual basis, or even in the form of official patronage.

The [[Olympic Charter]] (rule 55.3) of the [[International Olympic Committee]] states that the [[Summer Olympic Games|Olympic summer]] and [[Winter Olympic Games|winter games]] shall be [[List of people who have opened the Olympic Games|opened by]] the head of state of the host nation, by uttering a single formulaic phrase as determined by the charter.<ref>[https://stillmed.olympic.org/media/Document%20Library/OlympicOrg/General/EN-Olympic-Charter.pdf Olympic Charter: in force as of 2 August 2016] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919080933/https://stillmed.olympic.org/media/Document%20Library/OlympicOrg/General/EN-Olympic-Charter.pdf |date=19 September 2016 }}, [[International Olympic Committee]] (August 2016). Retrieved on 13 September 2016.</ref>

As such invitations may be very numerous, such duties are often in part [[delegation|delegated]] to such persons as a spouse, a [[head of government]] or a [[cabinet minister]] or in other cases (possibly as a message, for instance, to distance themselves without rendering offence) just a military officer or civil servant.

For non-executive heads of state there is often a degree of censorship by the politically responsible government (such as the [[head of government]]). This means that the government discreetly approves agenda and speeches, especially where the constitution (or customary law) assumes all political responsibility by granting the crown inviolability (in fact also imposing political emasculation) as in the [[Kingdom of Belgium]] from its very beginning; in a monarchy this may even be extended to some degree to other members of the dynasty, especially the heir to the throne.

Below follows a list of examples from different countries of general provisions in law, which either designate an office as head of state or define its general purpose.
* ''Example 1 (parliamentary monarchy):'' Section 56 (1) of the [[Spanish Constitution of 1978]] states:
** ''The [[Monarchy of Spain|King]] is the Head of State, the symbol of its unity and permanence. He arbitrates and moderates the regular functioning of the institutions, assumes the highest representation of the Spanish State in international relations, especially with the nations of its historical community, and exercises the functions expressly conferred on him by the Constitution and the laws.''<ref>[http://www.senado.es/constitu_i/indices/consti_ing.pdf SPANISH CONSTITUTION] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120421032216/http://www.senado.es/constitu_i/indices/consti_ing.pdf |date=21 April 2012 }}, [[Senate of Spain]]. Retrieved on 2 November 2012.</ref>
* ''Example 2 (parliamentary absentee monarchy):'' Article 2 of the New Zealand [[Constitution Act 1986]] states:
** ''(1) The [[Monarchy of New Zealand|Sovereign in right of New Zealand]] is the head of State of New Zealand, and shall be known by the royal style and titles proclaimed from time to time.''
** ''(2) The [[Governor-General of New Zealand|Governor-General]] appointed by the Sovereign is the Sovereign's representative in New Zealand.''<ref name="new zealand">[http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0114/latest/096be8ed80762277.pdf Constitution Act 1986] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017063836/http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0114/latest/096be8ed80762277.pdf |date=17 October 2013 }}, New Zealand Parliamentary Counsel Office. Retrieved on 28 August 2013.</ref>
* ''Example 3 (parliamentary non-executive monarchy):'' Article 1 of the [[Constitution of Japan]] states:
** ''The [[Emperor of Japan|Emperor]] shall be the symbol of the State and of the unity of the People, deriving his position from the will of the people with whom resides sovereign power.''<ref name=japan>[http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/constitution_and_government_of_japan/constitution_e.html The Constitution of Japan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214104438/http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/constitution_and_government_of_japan/constitution_e.html |date=14 December 2013 }}, [[Prime Minister of Japan|Office of the Prime Minister]]. Retrieved on 2 November 2012.</ref>
* ''Example 4 (parliamentary republic):'' Title II, Article 87 of the [[Constitution of Italy]] states:
** ''The [[President of Italy|President of the Republic]] is the Head of the State and represents national unity.''<ref name=senato.it>[http://www.senato.it/documenti/repository/istituzione/costituzione_inglese.pdf Constitution of the Italian Republic] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520124929/http://www.senato.it/documenti/repository/istituzione/costituzione_inglese.pdf |date=20 May 2012 }}, [[Senate of the Republic (Italy)|Senate of the Republic]]. Retrieved on 2 November 2012.</ref>
* ''Example 5 (parliamentary republic):'' Article 67 of the [[Constitution of Iraq|Iraqi constitution of 2005]] states:
** ''The [[President of Iraq|President of the Republic]] is the Head of the State and a symbol of the unity of the country and represents the sovereignty of the country. He shall guarantee the commitment to the Constitution and the preservation of Iraq's independence, sovereignty, unity, and the safety of its territories, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.''<ref>[http://www.iraqinationality.gov.iq/attach/iraqi_constitution.pdf Constitution of Iraq] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161128152712/http://www.iraqinationality.gov.iq/attach/iraqi_constitution.pdf |date=28 November 2016 }}. Retrieved 3 August 2014.</ref>
* ''Example 6 (semi-presidential republic):'' Title II, Chapter I, Article 120 of the [[Constitution of Portugal]] states:
** ''The [[President of Portugal|President of the Republic]] represents the Portuguese Republic, guarantees national independence, the unity of the state and the proper operation of the democratic institutions, and is [[ex officio]] Commander-in-Chief of the [[Portuguese Armed Forces|Armed Forces]].''<ref name=portugal>[http://www.tribunalconstitucional.pt/tc/conteudo/files/constituicaoingles.pdf CONSTITUTION OF THE PORTUGUESE REPUBLIC: SEVENTH REVISION (2005)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140623021037/http://www.tribunalconstitucional.pt/tc/conteudo/files/constituicaoingles.pdf |date=23 June 2014 }}, [[Portuguese Constitutional Court]]. Retrieved on 2 November 2012.</ref>
* ''Example 7 (presidential republic):'' Chapter IV, Section 1, Article 66 of the [[Constitution of the Republic of Korea]] states:
** ''(1)The [[President of South Korea|President]] shall be the Head of State and represent the State vis-à-vis foreign states.''
** ''(2)The President shall have the responsibility and duty to safeguard the independence, territorial integrity and continuity of the State and the Constitution.''<ref name="south korea">[http://english.ccourt.go.kr/home/att_file/download/Constitution_of_the_Republic_of_Korea.pdf THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310154748/http://english.ccourt.go.kr/home/att_file/download/Constitution_of_the_Republic_of_Korea.pdf |date=10 March 2012 }}, [[Constitutional Court of Korea]]. Retrieved on 2 November 2012.</ref>
* ''Example 8 (semi-presidential republic):'' Chapter VI, Article 77 of the [[Constitution of Lithuania]] states:
** ''The [[President of Lithuania|President of the Republic]] shall be Head of State.''
** ''He shall represent the State of Lithuania and shall perform everything with which he is charged by the Constitution and laws.''<ref>[http://www3.lrs.lt/home/Konstitucija/Constitution.htm The Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518165642/http://www3.lrs.lt/home/Konstitucija/Constitution.htm |date=18 May 2019 }}, [[Seimas]]. Retrieved on 2 November 2012</ref>
* ''Example 9 (semi-presidential republic):'' Chapter 4, Article 80, Section 1-2 of the [[Constitution of Russia]] states:
** ''1. The [[President of the Russian Federation]] shall be the Head of State.''
** ''2. The President of the Russian Federation shall be the guarantor of the Constitution of the Russian Federation and of human and civil rights and freedoms. In accordance with the procedure established by the Constitution of the Russian Federation, he (she) shall adopt measures to protect the sovereignty of the Russian Federation, its independence and State integrity, and shall ensure the coordinated functioning and interaction of State government bodies.''<ref name=government.ru>[http://www.government.ru/eng/gov/base/54.html Constitution of the Russian Federation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130504062759/http://www.government.ru/eng/gov/base/54.html |date=4 May 2013 }}, [[Government of the Russian Federation]]. Retrieved on 2 November 2012.</ref>
* ''Example 10 (presidential republic):'' Section 87 (Second Division, Chapter 1) of the [[Constitution of Argentina]] provides that:
** ''The Executive Power of the Nation shall be vested in a citizen with the title of "[[President of the Argentine Nation]]".''<ref name=argentina>[http://www.senado.gov.ar/web/interes/constitucion/english.php CONSTITUTION OF THE ARGENTINE NATION] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604215413/http://www.senado.gov.ar/web/interes/constitucion/english.php |date=4 June 2011 }}, [[Argentine Senate]]. Retrieved on 16 November 2012.</ref>