Arya Dhwaja: First illustration of Flags of Bhutan, 1922 Photo: India Office Library

22 August, 2010 – The national flag of Bhutan came into being only in 1947. It was flown for the first time in New Delhi on March 23 that year, when the late prime minister Jigme Palden Dorji and his mother Rani Choying Wangmo Dorji represented Bhutan in the first Asian Conference.

The protocol of the conference required all 28 countries to provide their national flag. Bhutan did not have a flag then, so Rani Choying had designed one for the occasion. The flag was sewn in the arts and craft section of Dr Graham’s school in Kalimpong, India.

The first recorded evidence mentioning the Bhutan’s flag is in a letter dated December 21, 1922. Mr (Sd.) Fraser Tytler, assistant secretary to the government of India, wrote the letter from New Delhi to the secretary, political department, India office, London, describing the flag. The letter is currently in the India office library in London.

“With reference to your letter No. P.4339, dated the 2nd November, 1922, I am directed to forward herewith two coloured designs of the flags of Nepal and Bhutan.”

Since Bhutan did not have a national flag, Mr Tytler sent illustrations of eight flags (see photo). “With regard to the flags of Bhutan, I am to explain that flag No.1 is hoisted permanently near a Jong [Dzong] or fort. It is a very high and large flag and is dedicated to the tutelary deity of the Jong [Dzong] as well as to the gods of the elements. The picture on the flag represents the “Irresistible Sword of Wisdom.” On the empty space, a mantra or charm called Arya Dhwaja, which is believed to confer victory and prosperity, is printed. Flags Nos.2 (a), 2(b), 2 (c), 2 (d) and 2 (e) are of five different colours.”

All the eight flags carry a label in Dzongkha and are numbered in English. The letter also describes the functions of these flags. “These are carried in front of an army when going out to fight. The five different colours represent the five different elements. The blue stands for heaven, yellow for earth, green for air, white for clouds or water, and red for fire. These flags indicate that the army is invoking the elements to befriend it. Flag No, 3 is called a Ru-dar or regimental colours. Flag No. 4 is called Tsan-dar. This is dedicated to a fierce spirit called Tsan, and is also carried before an army, thus invoking the help of this spirit also.”

The Bhutan flag as featured in the Japanese Home Encyclopedia, “Nippon Katei Dai Hyakka” in 1927 Photo: Michel Lupant, President of the International Federation of Vexillological Associations

The national flag of Bhutan was first mentioned in print in 1927 when it featured in the Japanese home encyclopedia, “Nippon Katei Dai Hyakka”. Here too, a prayer flag was depicted as the national flag.

In 1936, the India office in London received another letter, requesting for information about the flag of Bhutan from a Greek scholar, Engel Doublis, from Athens. The letter was written on May 16. Doublis, who was researching the flags of the world for his book, had already studied and collected lot of data on the history of the ensigns and flags of many countries and was keen to obtain information on the Bhutan flag. He assumed Bhutan was a state of India.

The librarian of the white hall, of the India office, Mr JC Walton could not provide specific information to the scholar. Walton replied stating that the country did not have a national flag. “Regarding the National Flags of Nepal and Bhutan, I am directed to inform you that Bhutan does not appear to possess a National Flag.”(India Office Library, British Library, London)

Instead Walton showed a set of illustrations of the various flags used in Bhutan, most likely that the illustrations were the one mentioned earlier. The children’s encyclopedia had it in their book. (Published by Fleetway House, Farringdon Street, London)

Walton wrote to the foreign office in Simla in India seeking clarification on the political status and confirming if the country had a national flag. A month later, on 19 June 1936, the office clarified that Bhutan was not an Indian state. The letter stated that Indian states did not have national flags. Although, Bhutan was an independent country, it did not have a national flag. “I am to explain that Nepal and Bhutan are not Indian states.” The letter confirmed that Bhutan did not have a flag until 1947. “Bhutan does not appear to possess a national flag.” (India Office Library, British Library, London)

Contributed by Tshering Tashi,
Coauthor Bold Bhutan Beckons

Source: Kuenselonline