10+ Countries Reimagined As Charming Cartoon Characters, Which One Is Yours?

Susanna Grace
Nov 11, 2021
Nov 11, 2021

Meet Lera Kiryakova, a Russian artist who is famous for eye-catching illustrations of celebrities and pop culture characters. On Instagram, she is loved by 328K people, and her posts earn a lot of love from the social community. Recently, the artist has started her illustration series in which different countries and cultures are reimagined as adorable cartoon characters.
It's not easy to do, I believe, but Lera has chosen the most outstanding features of the nations and perfectly reflects them in eleven drawings. Her illustrations are made to be so enchanting while showing the outfits, animals, and foods specific to the countries and cultures they illustrate. If you want to see how beautiful they are, scroll down to enjoy!

#1. Native American girl

Source: lera_kiryakova

Native American cultures are notable for their wide range of lifestyles, art forms, and religious beliefs. To keep track of these diverse groups, scientists have divided into different 'culture areas' including The Arctic, The Subarctic, The Northeast, The Southeast, The Plains, The Southwest, The Great Basin, California, The Northwest Coast, The Plateau, Photo Galleries (according to History.com). Native Americans often live in tribes and have their society dominated by clans.

#2. Kenya

Source: lera_kiryako

Kenya is located in Eastern Africa bordering the Indian Ocean. It is a multilingual country with a total amount of 62 soken languages. These mainly include tribal African languages a minority of Middle-Eastern. Kenyans are physically recognized by their dark-brown skin, curly hair, and necklaces, earrings worn on their bodies.

#3. Mongolia

Source: lera_kiryakova

Mongolian Embassy says: "Mongolia is well known for its nomadic traditions. The nomadic way of lifestyle is still practiced today in the rural areas of the country. Nomads follow a seasonal routine raising and breeding the five main types of stock – goat, sheep, cattle (including yaks), camel, and horse, migrating from place to place following the most favorable pastures and campsites."

#4. Japan

Source: lera_kiryakova

Japanese culture has been famous around the world for its manga, cartoons, and customs. Japan is also known as a country with a diverse culture, but you can typically recognize a Japanese person wearing Kimono, eating sushi, or wearing Geisha or Kabuki makeup.

#5. Hawaii

Source: lera_kiryakova

Now, tell us, what about this country is the most impressive to you? A dynamic night on an Island with people sitting around singing and dancing over the music? Or people wearing colorful clothes with flowers on their heads and necklaces made from oysters? Yes, that's exactly what Hawaii culture is about. And this picture illustrates it.

#6. Mexico!

Source: lera_kiryakova

One of the most important traditions in Mexico is the "Day of the Death" (El día de los Muertos). This is the time Mexicans show love, and respect to their loved ones who have passed away. This includes dedicating time and cosplaying as people from the afterlife (as you can see in the picture). While in many countries the 31st of October is an important day because it´s Halloween, in Mexico the important day is the 1st and 2nd of November. Families decorate their shrine with pictures, candles, flowers, and they enjoy dinner together in its surrounding.

#7. Russia

Source: lera_kiryakova

If you wonder why Lera added "chicken" in her picture, it's probably because she wants to mention "Kholodets" (chicken food soup), a traditional jellied dish in Russian cuisine. It is most preferred by the Russians when it is served with horseradish and beet sauce.

#8. China

Source: lera_kiryakova

There are many things that China is famous for, one of which is the Chinese zodiac. If Western people have explored the twelve zodiac signs, Chinese people also have their zodiac with twelve animals representing four elements (wood, metal, fire, or water) and marking Chinese years. Among the twelve animals, Dragon ('long' in Chinese pinyin) is considered to bring good luck and carry a special spiritual meaning in the national culture.