The paper attempts to identify and analyze the system characteristics and the main components of national identity. It is shown that it is formed on the bases of the dominant paradigm in the intersection of the key national historical, socio-psychological, socio-cultural, political and other spheres. Its content consists of the established national culture, ethnic characteristics, customs, beliefs, myths, and moral imperatives, etc. Considerable space is devoted to the analysis of the causes and factors contributing to the crisis of national identity.