por What is the flag of Bhutan?
The bhutan flag It is the national flag of this small Asian country, nestled in the Himalayas. A diagonal line between the upper right corner and the lower left corner divides it into two large triangles, whose colors are intense yellow and orange. Between the two is the druk, or thunder dragon of Tibetan mythology.
The design of the current flag, which became official in 1969, was erected as the Bhutanese flag in 1947. At first, the flag was much more square and the colors were more opaque.
The flag represents a mixture between the monarchical powers and the Tibetan Buddhist religion prevailing in the country. The yellow color refers to the monarchical civil authorities, denoting its temporary nature in the world. Instead, orange is identified with Buddhism, representing the Drukpa Kagyu and Nyingma schools.
The druk is the most distinctive symbol on the banner. It represents the union between the State and religion, as well as the strength of the people and their sovereignty.
History of the flag
To discuss the origins of the Bhutanese flag, 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 name comes from the Drukpa Kagkud Buddhist school, 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 propitious to build a monastery.
When the monk moved to choose the site, he saw a dragon that thundered three times in the sky. Since then he has been the symbol of Gyare’s teachings and of the school he founded, because the monastery he built received the name 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 flag design
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 ceded sovereignty and power in international relations to the British.
It was only after India’s independence that Bhutan redid an agreement with the new country. In it, the transfer of international relations was ratified. However, for the signing of that treaty it was the first time that the country needed a flag.
1949 was the year in which the Treaty of Friendship between India and Bhutan was signed. The Bhutanese flag commissioned at this time had an initial design by King Jigme Wangchuck.
This consisted of a square flag with a diagonal division, the same as the current one.
The first insignia was composed of two large triangles of red and yellow colors. 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.
Second flag design
After the signing of the treaty with India, Bhutan did not concern itself with the establishment of a national flag again. However, in 1956 the king arranged to pay a visit to the eastern part of the country. Records indicate that a national flag began to be used during this voyage.
This badge was inspired by the available photograph of the first flag used in 1949, when the treaty with India was signed. It was at this time that the dragon’s color changed from green to white.
ultimate flag
The establishment of the final flag of Bhutan took a few more years. After making several contacts with India, the Bhutanese government realized that a square flag did not fly 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 facing upwards.
However, the most important change was from red to orange. This was produced by royal order, between 1968 and 1969.
Meaning of the flag
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 Constitution of the country.
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 attire has a yellow scarf.
Orange, for its part, has a merely religious connotation. The color is originally the one with which the Drukpa Kagyu and Nyingma schools of Buddhism were identified. Orange replaced the red found in the initial designs.
Dragon Meanings
The location of the dragon 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, sovereignty and the nation.
The color of the dragon is not accidental either, because, as is common in white, it represents purity. This aspect, according to the regulations, unites all Bhutanese, regardless of their ethnic origin.
The jewels that are arranged in the dragon’s claws symbolize the well-being and wealth of Bhutan, as well as the security regarding its people. Likewise, the mouth of the dragon means the protection of the deities in the defense of the country.
References
Bean, SS (1995). Display and Nationalism: Bhutan. Museum Anthropology, 19(2), 41-49. Retrieved from anthrosource.onlinelibrary.wiley.com.
Celebrating Coronation of the 5th King (2008). National Symbols. Celebrating Coronation of the 5th King. Retrieved from bhutan2008.bt.
The Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan (2008). Constitution.bt. Retrieved from constitution.bt.
Smith, W. (2013). Flag of Bhutan. Encyclopædia Britannica. Recovered from britannica.com.