The National Flag

The upper yellow half of Bhutan’s flag signifies the secular authority of the King. It symbolizes the fruitful action of the King in the religious and state matters. The lower orange half denotes the religious practice and spiritual power of Buddhism as it is manifested in the Kargyudpa and Nyingmapa sects, the historic origins of the Bhutanese faith. The dragon in the middle denotes the name of the country: Druk Yul, Land of the Thunder Dragon. The dragon’s white colour expresses the purity of the loyalty of the country’s many racial and linguistic groups to the King, Country, and the People – called the Tsa-Wa-Sum or the Three Roots. The dragon’s snarling mouth expresses the stern strength of the male and female deities protecting Bhutan, and the jewels it clasps in its claws symbolizes the lands wealth and perfection.

The National Emblem
The national emblem, which is contained in a circle, is composed of a double diamond-thunderbolt placed above a lotus, surmounted by a jewel and framed by two dragons. The sacred jewels at the top of the royal crest expresses sovereign power; the crossed double-thunderbolt represents the harmony between secular and religious power and authority which results from the Buddhist religion in its Vajrayana form; the two dragons, male and female, stand for the name of the country – the Druk Yul – Druk means dragon and Yul means land; and the lotus symbolizes purity.

The National Anthem
In the Thunder Dragon Kingdom
Adorned with sandalwood
The protector who guards the
Teachings of the dual system,
He, the precious and the glorious ruler,
Causes dominion to spread
While his unchanging person
Abides in constancy
As the dharma of Lord Buddha flourishes,
May the sun of peace and happiness
Shine on the people

Other National Symbols

National Flower
Blue poppy (meconopsis grandis) – This flower grows at high altitudes.

National Bird
Raven (Corvus corax) – The raven, which adorns the royal hat, represents the deity Gyeompo Jarodongchen (Mahakala with raven’s head), one of the most important guardian deities of Bhutan.

National Animal
Takin (Burdorcas taxicolor) – The takin is an extremely rare bovid mammal of the ovine-caprine family. It lives in flocks in places 4000 metres altitude, and eats bamboo. It can weigh as much as 250 kilogrammes.

National Tree
Cypress (Cupressus torolusa) – This tree is often associated with religious places. The Bhutanese identify with it as it is straight and strong and can grow in inhospitable places.