National Symbols
The rectangular national flag of Bhutan is divided diagonally and depicts a white dragon (Druk) across the middle. The upper half of the flag is yellow, representing the secular power of the king, while the lower part is orange, symbolizing the Buddhist religion.
The national emblem, contained in a circle, is composed of a double diamond thunderbolt (Dorji) placed above a lotus, surmounted by a jewel and framed by two dragons. The thunderbolt represents the harmony between secular and religious power. The lotus symbolizes purity; the jewel expresses sovereign power; and the two dragon, male and female, stand for the name of the country which they proclaim with their great voice, the thunder.
National Day is celebrated on December 17 and commemorates the ascension to the throne of Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck, the first king of Bhutan.
The national flower is blue poppy, found in the high altitudes. The national tree is the cypress, which is often associated with religious places. The national bird is the raven, which adorns the royal crown. It represents the deity Gonpo Jarodongchen, one of the most important deities of Bhutan. The national animal is the takin, an extremely rare bovid of the ovine-caprine family. Found in herds in the very high altitudes (13,00 ft and over), living on a diet of bamboo.