A small kingdom that has found a cozy place in the Himalayas has an interesting self-name - the land of the thunder dragon. The most interesting thing is that this fabulous animal adorns the main official symbols of the country - both the state flag and the coat of arms of Bhutan, or rather, the emblem. These symbols of statehood are united not only by the dragon, but also by other elements, as well as by the color palette.
Kingdom emblem description
The main state symbol of Bhutan looks quite picturesque, in addition to the already mentioned resemblance to the flag, historians note the presence of a large number of elements of Buddhist symbolism.
The emblem is a circle with important and minor elements inscribed in it:
- double vajra;
- lotus, one of the most famous plants in heraldry;
- two fabulous dragons located on either side of the flower.
The vajra (or vajra) is considered a ritual weapon in Tibetan Buddhism and Hinduism. In addition, it was precisely such weapons that mythological characters had, it was believed that Tvashtar, the divine artisan, created it for the god Indra.
On the emblem of Bhutan, this weapon looks like a double lightning bolt, and symbolizes the unity of secular and religious authorities. Vajra has an important cultural and religious significance, thanks to Hinduism and Buddhism, it became widespread in the southeastern part of Asia, including in Nepal, India, Tibet, Thailand and even Russia.
Sacred plant
The lotus has long been considered one of the most important symbols in world heraldry. It is present in one form or another on many coats of arms and emblems. Its appearance on the emblem of Bhutan, the majority of whose inhabitants profess Buddhism, is quite natural, because the lotus grows in the sacred waters of the Ganges.
From time immemorial, among Buddhists, the lotus is considered a symbol of purity and innocence. According to the Bhutanese faith, a person who practices the teachings of the Buddha himself approaches perfection, like a lotus that grows out of mud and mud, but becomes snow-white.
The Tibetan dragon is another common mythological character. The image of this fabulous animal, capable of being transported through the air, was actively used in the design of ancient temples in Tibet and neighboring China. He is also the hero of numerous mythological plots and legends. On the emblem of Bhutan, the dragon is also the symbol of the local name - the Land of the Dragon.
