[The Tibetan flag (scanned and edited by Sonam Tenzin) plus a short
commentary on the meaning of the Tibetan flag translated from the Tibetan grade
5 school text book published by the Tibetan Cultural Printing Press, Dharamsala
1989]
Abouth the Tibetan Flag - 2
A 1995 note by: andrew@dorje.demon.co.uk
The Tibetan National Flag was used officially up to 1951 and since then has
been a rallying point for the independence movement.
I am told that the design was orginally proposed by a Japanese Military
advisor to the 13th Dalai Lama who was part of amove by the Japanese
Government to make allegances with other buddhist countries.
Aparrently the incorporation of the rising sun and Fuji-style mountain
elements into the flag were seen as a victory in diplomacy...
The various elements of the flag have symbolic meanings. I am not sure
about them but here's what I recall:
- The two snow lions represent the religious and secular realms.
- The mountain represents skangs.dzong, the Land of the Snows (Tibet itself)
- The flaming jewel represents ... er ? .. the fact that the teachings
have been preserved in Tibet, or that the wisdom of the dharma is upheld as
the guiding principle of governence...?
- The yin yang symbol represents the dharma. It appears on the flags of
all the other buddhist countries:
S. Korea, Mongolia (on the new flag I think), and Tuva (actually a
Russian republic, but very much autonomous). (..but what about Sri
Lanka...?)
- I believe the colours also mean something too.
Today, posession of the Tibetan flag within China is a criminal offence:
- People have been given prison sentences of two years specifically for
this crime alone. It is displayed at most demonstrations. In 1988 a group
of protesters were marching around the Jokang temple lead by a man carrying
this flag.
- A Thai businessman reported seeing a soldier kneel down, take
aim and shoot the flag bearer.
In China today it is refered to as "the snowlion mountain flag" as to call
it the Tibetan Flag might infer some degree of legitimacy on its bearers...
Any updated information, corrections or comments would be appreciated.
Mail me at: andrew--at--dorje.demon.co.uk
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The Tibetan National Flag - Images
