An Explanation of the Symbolism of the National Flag of Tibet:
- In the centre stands a thickly snow clad mountain, which represents the great nation of Tibet, widely known as the Land Surrounded by Snow Mountains.
- Across the dark blue sky six red bands spread representing the original ancestors of the Tibetan people: the six tribes called Se, Mu, Dong, Tong, Dru and Ra which in turn gave the [twelve] descendants. The combination of six red bands (for the tribes) and six dark blue bands for the sky represents the virtuous deeds of protection of the spiritual teachings and non sacred life by the black and red guardian protector, with which Tibet has had connection for a very long time.
- At the tip of the snow mountain, the sun with its rays shining in all directions represents the equal enjoyment of freedom, spiritual and material happiness and prosperity by all beings in the land of Tibet.
- On the slopes of the mountain there proudly stand a pair of snow lions blazing with the spirits of the dead of fearlessness, which represent the country's victorious accomplishment of a unified spiritual and non sacred life.
- The beautiful and radiant three coloured jewel held aloft represents the ever-present signof respect held by the Tibetan people towards the Three Supreme Jewels (the Buddhist objects of refuge: Buddha, Dharma and Sangha).
- The two coloured swirling jewel held between the two lions represents the peoples' guarding and cherishing the self discipline of correct ethical behaviour, principally represented by the practices of the ten exalted virtues and the 16 humane modes of conduct.
Lastly, the surrounding border of yellow perimeter represents the spread and flourishing in all directions and times of the purified gold like teachings of the Buddha.