The Tibetan national flag
The Tibetan flag is not merely a national icon; it is rich in history and meaning. The characteristics of the flag clearly illustrate all aspects of Tibet, including Tibet’s landscape, spiritual values and government. Its origins date back thousands of years, with several regions of Tibet using similar symbols on their flag, while developing individual variations. It wasn’t until the beginning of the 20th century that the modern flag was established. Enacting many changes to administrative policies of Tibet, His Holiness the 13th Dalai Lama designed a new flag based on several of the existing regional flags and declared it as the unified flag to represent all of Tibet.
The Tibetan flag was used officially up to 1951 and since then has been used by people in Tibet at great risk to their life, as part of an independence movement. Currently, the possession of the Tibetan flag in Tibet is a serious criminal offence, for which a prison sentence of two years can be given. In the past, people have been killed on the spot by military for displaying the flag. Within Tibet and China, the flag is referred to as the Snow lion mountain flag – for to call it the Tibetan Flag is also a crime, as it implies defiance against the communist occupation.
The symbolic meaning
The flag is characterized by the following features:
Mountain: A glorious and snow clad mountain placed in the centre of the flag, represents the great nation of Tibet, widely known as the “Land of the Snows”.
Sun: The sun rising at the tip of the snow mountain, with brilliant rays shining in all directions represents the impartiality of the sun’s compassion, shining on all without discrimination, to bestow the enjoyment of freedom, spiritual and material happiness and prosperity by all beings in the land of Tibet.
Sky: A dark blue sky is streamed with six red bands, representing the native ancestors of the Tibetan people: the six tribes called Se, Mu, Dong, Tong, Dru and Ra which then produced the current twelve descendants. The combination of six red rays (symbolizing the tribes) and the six dark blue bands of sky represents the ceaseless protection of the spiritual teachings and secular life by the guardian protector deities (black or red in colour) long connected to Tibet.
Snow lions: A pair of majestic snow lions stands on the slopes of the mountain, gleaming with the manes of fearlessness, representing the triumphant accomplishment of a unified spiritual and secular life in Tibet.
Three jewels: The radiant three coloured jewels supported by the snow lions, represents the omnipresent respect and devotion upheld by the Tibetan people towards the Three Supreme Jewels (the symbol of the three objects of refuge in Buddhism: Buddha, Dharma and Sangha).
Swirling gems: The two-coloured swirling gems (yin yang image) amid the two lions represents the Tibetan peoples’ protection and valued discipline of correct ethical behaviour, mainly characterized by the practice of the ten virtuous actions and the 16 types of moral conduct.
Yellow border: The outer gilded border represents the spread and flourishing of the gold-like teachings of the Buddha in all directions and times. The absence of a border on the Eastern side represents Tibet’s global interest and its openness to the knowledge and philosophy outside of Tibet.
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