The explanation that follows is to show the truth of the snow lion and to be able to understand that the Lhasa Apsos have no connection with any of this. To connect the Lhasa Apso with the mythological Snow Lion is to try to fabricate and 'prove' something that never existed! We could say that the British must have had Unicorns as it is on their Coat of Arms. The assumption has been drawn that because there are Snow Lions on the Tibetan Flag and on various old Thangkas (Tibetan paintings) that the Lhasa Apso has been living with the Tibetans as a domiciled dog for that long. However, there is a mistake in this thinking as it was not until the 13th. Dalai Lama, Thupten Gyatso (1876 - 1933) that this particular flag came into being.

A BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE TIBETAN FLAG:
(From the Office of H.H. Dalai Lama)

An Explanation of the Symbolism of the National Flag of Tibet

In the centre stands a magnificent 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 incessant enactment of the virtuous deeds of protection of the spiritual teachings and secular life by the black and red guardian protector deities with which Tibet has had connection for a very long time.

At the tip of the snow mountain, the sun with its rays brilliantly 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 manes of fearlessness, which represent the country's victorious accomplishment of a unified spiritual and secular life.

The beautiful and radiant three coloured jewel held aloft represents the ever-present reverence respectfully 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 adorning the perimeter represents the spread and flourishing in all directions and times of the purified gold like teachings of the Buddha.


THE ORIGIN OF THE PRESENT DAY FLAG
Quoted from "Tibetan National Flag" © Copyright 1980 Library of Tibetan Works and Archives.

"In the latter part of this period, during the rule of His Holiness the Great Thirteenth Dalai Lama, Thupten Gyatso (1876-1933), this eminent spiritual and temporal ruler of Tibet enacted many modifications in administrative policies in accordance with international customs. Based on the formats of previous Tibetan military flags, His Holiness improved upon them and designed the present, modern national flag. With an official proclamation, He declared that this would be the uniform, standard flag to be adopted by all Tibetan military defence establishments. Since the time of that proclamation, all Tibetan regiments have likewise adopted this flag as their standard.

"The colour scheme of the Tibetan national flag gives a clear indication of all aspects of Tibet in its symbolism such as the geographic features of the religious. snowy land of Tibet, the customs and traditions of Tibetan society, the political administration of the Tibetan government and so forth.

"History attests to the fact that Tibet is one of the most ancient nations of the world. Therefore, in all the three regions of Tibet, irrespective of caste and creed, this national flag inherited from our ancestors is universally accepted as a common, peerless treasure and even today still continues to be highly respected and esteemed as in the past."