Emblem of Tibet

The Coat of arms of Tibet maintains several elements of the flag of Tibet, with slighly different artistry, and contains much Buddhist symbolism. The primary elements are the sun and moon above the Himalayas, which represents the nation of Tibet, often known as the Land Surrounded by Snow Mountains. On the slopes of the mountains stand a pair of snow lions. Held between the two lions is the eight-spoked Dharmacakra, represent the Noble Eightfold Path of Buddhism. Inside the wheel, the two colored swirling jewel represents the practices of the ten exalted virtues and the 16 humane modes of conduct.

It remains the official seal of the Central Tibetan Administration government-in-exile headquartered in Dharamsala, India. As a symbol of the Tibetan independence movement, it is banned in the People's Republic of China, including the Tibet Autonomous Region which corresponds to the former area of control of the Tibetan government at Lhasa, as well as other areas in greater Tibet. It is often seen printed in black-and-white and Buddhist crimson-and-white variants.

See also

• Emblem of Bhutan

References

• Central Tibetan Administration official site