FLAG OF BHUTAN: HISTORY AND MEANING - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The flag of Bhutan is the national flag of this small Asian country, nestled in the Himalayas. It is divided into large triangles by a diagonal line between the upper right corner and the lower left corner. Its colors are intense yellow and orange. Between them, the Druk, or thunder dragon, of Tibetan mythology presides over the flag.

The current flag design, which became official in 1969, began to emerge and emerge as a Bhutanese flag in 1947. At first, the flag was much more square and had much more opaque colors.

Flag of Bhutan. (By w: en: User: Nightstallion (original uploader), the author of xrmap (improved version), via Wikimedia Commons) The flag represents a mix between the monarchical powers and the prevailing Tibetan Buddhist religion in the country. The yellow color refers to the monarchical civil authorities, denoting their temporary nature in the world. Instead, orange is identified with Buddhism, representing the schools of Drukpa Kagyu and Nyingma.

The Druk is the insignia's most distinctive symbol. It represents the union between the State and religion, in addition to the strength of the people and their sovereignty.

History of the flag

To talk about the origins of the flag of Bhutan, one must first understand the provenance of the Druk or thunder dragon. Although Bhutan has historically been known by many names, many Bhutanese know their country as Druk.

This denomination comes from the Drukpa Kagkud Buddhist school, which is one of the most popular in the country. The myth of the dragon originated from a vision of the founder of the school, Tsangpa Gyare Yeshey Dorji.

This monk was in Phoankar, Tibet, when he saw a rainbow in the Namgyiphu Valley. That place was conducive to building a monastery.

When the monk went to choose the site, he saw a dragon that thundered three times in the sky. Since then, it is the symbol of the teachings of Gyare and the school he founded, because the monastery he built was named after Druk Sewa Jangchubling.

The school became the most popular in Bhutan since 1616, when the modern Bhutanese state was created. That is why it began to be used as a symbol on the flag since 1949.

First design of the flag

Bhutan has been an independent state for centuries. However, the British colonization of India caused this kingdom to be besieged by European power. For this reason, they were forced to sign different agreements in which they gave sovereignty and power in international relations to the British.

It was only after the independence of India that Bhutan redid an agreement with the new country. In it, the transfer of international relations was ratified. However, the signing of that treaty was the first time that the country needed a flag.

1949 was the year the India-Bhutan Friendship Treaty was signed. The flag of Bhutan that was commissioned at that time had an initial design by King Jigme Wangchuck. This consisted of a square flag with a diagonal division, just like the current one.

The first insignia consisted of two large red and yellow colored triangles. In the central part was a light green dragon. Its color was chosen in reference to the traditional Druk. This flag was only displayed for this treaty and was no longer used in the country.

First version of the flag of Bhutan (1949-1956). (By Orange Tuesday, from Wikimedia Commons)

Second flag design

After the signing of the treaty with India, Bhutan did not again engage in the establishment of a national flag. However, in 1956 the king set out to pay a visit to the eastern part of the country. Records indicate that a national flag was used during the trip.

This insignia was inspired by the available photograph of the first flag they used in 1949, when the treaty with India was signed. It was at this time that the dragon's color turned from green to white.

Flag of Bhutan (1956-1969). By Orange Tuesday, from Wikimedia Commons.

Final flag

The establishment of the final flag of Bhutan took a few more years. After making several contacts with India, the government of Bhutan realized that a square flag did not wave in the same way as a rectangular one. For this reason, the flag adopted the proportions of that of India.

In addition, this new design brought significant color changes. White was the ultimate color for the dragon. This mythological animal was drawn by Kilkhor Lopen Jada diagonally, above the separation of stripes and looking up.

However, the most important change was from red to orange. This occurred by royal order, between 1968 and 1969.

Meaning of the flag

The symbolism of the flag of Bhutan is the most relevant part of this national symbol. The flag is made up of three colors and a relevant symbol for the nation, such as the dragon.

The country has established the meaning of the symbols through the Legal Provisions of the National Flag of the Kingdom, in the country's constitution. They refer to the color yellow, which represents civil tradition and the temporal authority emanating from the dragon king of Bhutan. The choice of yellow is because the monarch's traditional garb has a yellow scarf.

On the other hand, orange has a purely religious connotation. The color is originally with which the Drukpa Kagyu and Nyingma Buddhist schools were identified. Orange replaced the red that was in the initial designs.

Dragon meanings

The dragon's location is also a legislated matter. The Druk divides the flag because it highlights the importance between the Buddhist monastic and civil tradition. In addition, it reinforces the relationship between spirituality with sovereignty and the nation.

The color of the dragon is not accidental either, since, as is common in white, it represents the purity of sins, thoughts and guilt. This aspect, according to the regulations, unites all Bhutanese, regardless of their ethnic origin.

The jewels that are arranged in the claws of the dragon symbolize the well-being and wealth of Bhutan, as well as security with respect to its people. Also, the dragon's mouth means the protection of the deities in the defense of the country.

References

1. Bean, SS (1995). Display and Nationalism: Bhutan. Museum Anthropology, 19 (2), 41-49. Recovered from anthrosource.onlinelibrary.wiley.com.
2. Celebrating Coronation of the 5 ^th King. (2008). National Symbols. Celebrating Coronation of the 5 ^th King. Recovered from bhutan2008.bt.
3. Kinga, S. and Penjore, D. (2002). The Origin and Description of The National Flag and National Anthem of The Kingdom of Bhutan. The Center for Bhutan Studies: Timbu, Bhutan. Recovered from bhutanstudies.org.bt.
4. The Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan. (2008). Constitution.bt. Recovered from constitution.bt.
5. Smith, W. (2013). Flag of Bhutan. Encyclopædia Britannica. Recovered from britannica.com.