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Flag of Bhutan

Bhutan is a small Himalayan Buddhist kingdom between India and China, known for its unique philosophy of measuring national progress through 'Gross National Happiness' rather than purely economic indicators. It was one of the last countries in the world to introduce television and the internet, both in 1999. Bhutan is entirely carbon negative, absorbing far more carbon dioxide than it produces due to its vast protected forests, and conservation is central to national policy.

• CapitalThimphu
• RegionAsia
• Current flag since1969
• Main coloursYellow, Orange
• Populationabout 780,000
• Areaabout 38,000 km²
• GeographyLandlocked
• Flags in history3

Population and area are rounded.

What the flag of Bhutan means

The yellow upper half represents the secular authority of the Druk Gyalpo, the Dragon King, and the orange lower half the Buddhist spiritual tradition. The white dragon, Druk, refers to the country's own name, Druk Yul, “Land of the Thunder Dragon”, and the jewels in its claws stand for the wealth and security of the nation. The current design dates from 1969.

More about the flag

The first flag of Bhutan is said to have been designed in 1949 by Mayum Choying Wangmo Dorji, and the dragon was changed from green to white when a 1969 resolution of the National Assembly set out the current design and its meaning. The dragon's open mouth expresses the strength of the deities protecting Bhutan. The flag flies above the dzongs, the fortress monasteries that house both government offices and monks.

How to recognise it

Diagonally split yellow and orange with a white dragon (Druk) in the centre.

Did you know?

Bhutan is the only country in the world that measures its success by Gross National Happiness instead of GDP.

Flag history of Bhutan

Every flag that has flown over Bhutan, from today back through time.

Neighbouring countries

Bhutan shares a land border with 2 countries: China and India.

Play Globalio and learn Bhutan's flag