Flag of Bhutan

What the flag looks like

Divided diagonally from the lower hoist to the upper fly, with a yellow upper triangle and an orange lower triangle, and a white dragon holding jewels in its claws lying along the dividing line.

What it means

Yellow represents the secular authority of the king and orange the Buddhist spiritual tradition; the white dragon (Druk) stands for purity and the jewels for the wealth and security of the nation.

How to remember it

Bhutan flies a white thunder dragon on a yellow-and-orange diagonal; its own name for itself, Druk Yul, means "Land of the Thunder Dragon".

Fun facts

• Bhutan is known for measuring Gross National Happiness as a guide to government policy.
• More than two-thirds of the country is forested, and Bhutan absorbs more carbon dioxide than it emits.

Bhutan at a glance

Capital

Thimphu

Region

Southern Asia

Population

791,524

Area

38,394 km²

Languages

Dzongkha

Currency

Bhutanese ngultrum (Nu.), Indian rupee (₹)

Flag adopted

1969