Bhutanese Flag History

By Clod Rodgers


Mountainous Bhutan, half the size of Indiana, is situated on the southeast slope of the Himalayas, bordered on the north and east by Tibet and on the south and west and east by India. The landscape consists of a succession of lofty and rugged mountains and deep valleys.

One of Bhutan’s most important and revered kings â€" Jigme Singye Wangchuck who was coronated in 1974, started controlled development. He also put a strong emphasis on the preservation of Bhutan’s unique culture and the environment. He wanted Bhutan to be economically self-reliant and introduced ‘Gross National Happiness’ to Bhutan and the world. It was also under his reign that Bhutan opened up for the world.

National Flag of Bhutan is divided diagonally with a white dragon in the center of the flag. The dragon is snarling and clutches jewels in its claws. One-half of the flag is orange representing the spiritual power in the country that is controlled chiefly by Drukpa monasteries and Buddhist religious practices. The other half of the flag is saffron yellow representing the temporal power in the country and the secular authority of the dynasty.

Bhutan is a religious nation with Buddhism as its official religion. Bhutanese people call their nation as 'Druk Yul' or 'Place where there is the Thunder Dragon'. Bhutanese trust that thunder is really the voices of the mythical serpent thundering. In this manner, the winged serpent in the center of the banner or "Druk" has a profound relationship with the nation itself.

The jewels in dragon's claws represent the wealth and prosperity of the nation. The snarling dragon represents the male and female deities who are always protecting the country, its King and the people from harm and are inimical to outside forces that are threatening them. In Bhutan, the democratic government shares its power with the King representing the monarchy.

In the late twelfth century and the start of the thirteenth century, a monastery was set up in Bhutan, which was known as the "Druk" (which means the 'Thunder Dragon') and the sect it represented was called 'Drukpas'. From that point forward, the winged serpent has ended up entwined with Bhutan. The Flag Company Inc represented considerable authority in banner outlines offered a unique release of decals and banners to retain Bhutan Flag part for the eventual fate of its nation.




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