The National symbol includes the national flag, national emblem, national flower, national animal, national sport and national tree. National symbols are established by law and tradition.
NATIONL FLAG
The upper yellow signifies the secular power and authority of the king while the lower saffron-orange symbolizes the practice of manifested in the tradition of Drukpa Kagyu or flourishing of the Buddhist teachings. The dragon signifies the name and the purity of the country while the jewels in dragon’s claws signify the wealth and perfection of the country.
NATIONAL EMBLEM
The emblem of Bhutan is used in official government publications such as legislation and websites. Within the circle of the national emblem, two crossed vajras are placed over lotus. They are flanked on either side by a male and female white dragon. A wish-fulfilling jewel is located above them. There are four jewels inside the circle where the two vajras intersect. They symbolize the spiritual and secular traditions of the spiritual undertaking of vajrayana Buddhism. The lotus symbolizes absence of defilements; the wish-fulfilling jewel, the sovereign power of the people; and the two dragons, the name of the Kingdom.
NATIONAL FLOWER
The national flower is Blue Poppy (Meconopsis Grandis). Blue Poppy was discovered in 1933 by a British Botanist, George Sherriff in a remote part of Sakteng in eastern Bhutan. It grows to a height of 1 meter and is found above 3500-4500 meters above sea level.
NATIONAL ANIMAL
Takin (Burdorcas taxicolor) is our national animal associated with religious history. They are found above 4000 meters and have very thick neck and short muscular legs. The adult takin weigh over 200 kgs and they eat bamboo.
NATIONAL SPORT
Archery, the national sport, remains the favorite sport and absorbing pastime both for the young and old alike. What perhaps started as an equipment to threaten enemies in the ancient times, archery now is a great competitive and recreational sport in Bhutan. Today traditional annual archery contests are held throughout the country. These contests are important both as reaffirmation of traditional culture and also as popular amusement. The tournament begins with initiation ceremonies and traditional breakfast. The targets are placed at 140 meters apart and because of this great distance the team members gather dangerously close to the target, the archer’s team mates perform a celebratory slow-motion dance & sing praises of the shooter who tucks a coloured scarf into belt.
Women decked out in their finest clothes are cheer leaders for the opposing teams at major tournaments. They dance and sing between play, and during the shooting they perform brief routines. No major national or local holiday or festive occasion is complete without an archery game. Archery is considered to be an art, mastered to attain physical dexterity, mental strength and above all, the highest spirit of competition.
NATIONAL TREE
Our national tree is cypress (Cupresus torolusa), locally known as ‘Tsenden’, which is found at 1800-3500 meter. It is evergreen tree that grow up to 45m of height and its trunk can be a diameter of 90 cm. You will see cypress tree near monasteries and temples.
