Origin of the National flag of Tibet:
During the reign of the seventh-century king, Songtsen Gampo, Tibet was one of the mightiest and feared empires in Central Asia. Tibet, then, had an army of 2,860,000 men. Each regiment of the army had its own banner. The banner of Yon-ru Toe regiment had a pair of snow lions facing each other, that of Ye-ru Mey a snow lion with a bright upper border; that of Tsang-rulag a snow lion standing upright, leaping towards the sky; and that of U-ru Toe a white flame against a red background.
This tradition continued until the 13th Dalai Lama, Thupten Gyatso designed a new banner and issued a proclamation for its adoption by all the military establishments. This banner became the present Tibetan national flag.
Explanation of the Symbolism of the National flag of Tibet
The white triangle in the centre represents the great land of snow and symbolizes Tibet, which is known for its mighty and lofty snow clad mountain ranges
The six red and dark-blue rays are the representation of the six original tribes of Tibet.
The red and dark-blue rays alternate with each other to symbolize the ever presence of Tibet's two protector deities to guard the country's spiritual and secular traditions. The red rays symbolize Nechung Choegyal, while Sri Devi (Palden Lhamo in Tibetan) is represented by the dark-blue rays.
The Sun symbolizes the equal treatment of all its citizens in Tibet. The Sun represents equal enjoyment of freedom as well as spiritual and secular well-being, irrespective of class, creed, caste or gender.
The valiant stance of the two lions symbolizes complete victory for Tibet's spiritual and secular policies.
The three blazing gems held aloft by the lions symbolize the Tibetan people's reverence for the three sources of spiritual refuge; namely the Buddha, his teaching (Dharma) and the community of monks and nuns (Sangha)
The three colored circular motif held by the lions symbolizes the voluntary adherence of the Tibetan people to the Ten Divine Virtues and Sixteen Human Moral Codes.
The yellow border line symbolizes the Buddha's teachings, which is pure like refined gold, unbounded in space and time and its flourishing into all directions.