National Symbols of Bhutan

National Flag of Bhutan

Bhutan’s national flag is equally divided into two diagonal halves. The upper yellow half symbolizes the king, who traditionally wears the yellow Kabney as part of the royal garb. The lower orange half symbolizes the spiritual tradition of Buddhism, the two dominant schools of the Drukpa Kagyupa and the Nyingma schools of Buddhism in the country. The white dragon in the middle of the flag represents the country's name. The dragon is white to symbolize the purity of the nation. Its snarling mouth represents the ferocity of the guardian deities of Bhutan, and the jewels it clutches in its hands represent the wealth of the country.

National Emblem of Bhutan

A circular symbol with a crossed thunderbolt (Dorji) in the nexus, sitting atop a lotus flower and surrounded by a male and female thunder dragon on both sides. As in the case of the flag, the dragons represent the name of the country (Drukyul: land of the thunder dragon) and the guardian deities of Bhutan. The Dorji placed above the lotus symbolizes the harmonious relationship between the traditional customs of spiritual law and modern authority.

National Language of Bhutan

The national language of Bhutan is Dzongkha and is primarily spoken everywhere in Bhutan. Tshanglakha and Lhotsamkha are the other two dialects spoken by a sizeable portion of the population. Other than these 3 languages, Bhutan has around 19 other dialects that are spoken

National Animal of Bhutan



The Takin is the national animal of Bhutan; this rare mammal boasting a mythological origin can be glimpsed up-close at the Takin Preserve in Thimphu. Legends say that Saint Drukpa Kinley created the beast by combining the skeletal remains of a cow and a goat.

National Flower of Bhutan



The Himalayan Blue poppy (Meconopsis Gakyidiana) grows at an elevation of 3700 m – 4300 m above sea level. This poppy is exceedingly rare and will be visible only to the keen-eyed trekker. The seeds of the blue poppy take about two to three years to sprout, and it dies after it flowers.

National Tree of Bhutan

The Himalayan cypress tree (Cupressus torulusa) has the distinction of being the national tree of Bhutan. These trees usually grow between 1800-3500 m above sea level. It is very common to see them dotted around monasteries and Dzongs. Their foliage is highly prized for its aromatics and is usually burned as a smoke offering during ceremonies.

National Bird of Bhutan

From being one of the manifestations of Yeshey Gonpo (chief protector deity of Bhutan) and adorned atop the crown of the kings of Bhutan, the raven is revered in Bhutan. So, it should come as no surprise that the Raven enjoys the distinction of being the national bird of Bhutan.

National Sport of Bhutan



In Bhutan, archery is more than just a sport, it’s a way of life. Even though the national sport, archery was adopted as the national sport in 1971, the history of the sport goes back a long way. Archery contests have been held since time immemorial. Back then, it was a grand festive event where neighbouring villages could engage in friendly competition, but it also trained them in the martial prowess of the bow and the arrow. Many foreign invasions in the past were successfully repelled with the deadly skills of the Bhutanese bowmen.

National Butterfly of Bhutan

Ludlow’s Bhutan Swallowtail (Bhutanis ludlow) discovered by botanists Frank Ludlow and George Sheriff in 1933, is the National Butterfly of Bhutan. After a 75-year absence, it was rediscovered by Karma Wangdi, a local forestry officer at Bumdeling wildlife, in 2009. It became the official butterfly of Bhutan in 2012 due to its rarity and beauty.