Although it is known to the rest of the world as ‘Bhutan – The Land of the Thunder Dragon’ today, the name did go through a whole lot of changes over the years. Also ‘Druk’ is now the local name for Bhutan. The names were important as it helped strengthen and secure the territorial integrity of our young nation through all those years even through just the name. The way in which the names changed over time provides rich insight into how we Bhutanese and our neighbors perceived our country.
Traditional Bhutanese historians maintain that ‘Mon’ or ‘Monyul’ (Mon country) or ‘Lhomon’ (Southern Mon) was the earliest name for the area roughly covering modern-day Bhutan. Mon has been explained as a derivative of ‘mun,’ a Tibetan word for ‘darkness.’ This, came about because the Tibetans considered us to be living in a state of socio-spiritual darkness. Unlike central Tibet where Buddhist civilization had reached its peak by the middle of the 8th century, people in Bhutan, in the eyes of the Tibetans, were still groping in the darkness in the absence of the light of the Buddha’s wisdom. Consequently, the inhabitants were referred to as ‘mon pa’ or ‘dark people,’ which does carry a bit of a derogatory connotation as it implied their uncivilized status back then.
Traditional Bhutanese historians maintain that ‘Mon’ or ‘Monyul’ (Mon country) or ‘Lhomon’ (Southern Mon) was the earliest name for the area roughly covering modern-day Bhutan. Mon has been explained as a derivative of ‘mun,’ a Tibetan word for ‘darkness.’ This, came about because the Tibetans considered us to be living in a state of socio-spiritual darkness. Unlike central Tibet where Buddhist civilization had reached its peak by the middle of the 8th century, people in Bhutan, in the eyes of the Tibetans, were still groping in the darkness in the absence of the light of the Buddha’s wisdom. Consequently, the inhabitants were referred to as ‘mon pa’ or ‘dark people,’ which does carry a bit of a derogatory connotation as it implied their uncivilized status back then.
Before the unification of the country in the 17th century Bhutan was also known as ‘Lho Mon Kha Zhi’ or the ‘southern mon country of four approaches,’ as a reference to the four corners of the country from which it could be approached. Even till the 16th and 17th century the common name used to refer to Bhutan remained ‘Lhokhazhi’ or just ‘Lho’ - ‘the South.’
Yet another name which those familiar with Bhutan’s biological diversity can relate to is ‘Menjong’ or ‘the land of medicinal herbs.’ Compared to the relatively arid Tibetan plateau, Bhutan enjoys greater heights of botanical richness as it is located on the southern slopes of the Himalayan watershed. It was the important role of herbs in health and healing and their abundant growth in Bhutan which earned it the rather laudatory name….especially after something as crass as ‘land of the dark people.’ An interesting explanation for the herbal richness can be found in the accounts of Princess Wencheng, a Chinese Princess who came to Tibet as bride for the great 7th century Tibetan King Songsten Gampo. The story goes that along with the science of geomancy and medicine from the court of China, she is also supposed to have brought a pouch of medicinal seeds. King Songsten Gampo is supposed to have cast those seeds into the sky with prayers that they may spread across the land. While just a few seeds landed in Chagpori in erstwhile Tibet (the place later became a renowned centre for medical and astral studies), the rest were carried by the north winds to present day Bhutan. Hence the abundance of medicinal herbs in the forests of Bhutan. Even to this day, in Bhutan, the use of these natural resources continues through the Royal Institute of Traditional Medicine, which promotes indigenous herbal treatment alongside biomedicine. The elderly Bhutanese still prefer traditional healing methods to modern ones. To present an idea of just how effective these herbs are supposed to be, the expensive fungi cordyceps sinensis, which is harvested in abundance in the high mountainous borders of Bhutan, is said to have helped three Chinese athletes break the world records in running.
Yet another name which those familiar with Bhutan’s biological diversity can relate to is ‘Menjong’ or ‘the land of medicinal herbs.’ Compared to the relatively arid Tibetan plateau, Bhutan enjoys greater heights of botanical richness as it is located on the southern slopes of the Himalayan watershed. It was the important role of herbs in health and healing and their abundant growth in Bhutan which earned it the rather laudatory name….especially after something as crass as ‘land of the dark people.’ An interesting explanation for the herbal richness can be found in the accounts of Princess Wencheng, a Chinese Princess who came to Tibet as bride for the great 7th century Tibetan King Songsten Gampo. The story goes that along with the science of geomancy and medicine from the court of China, she is also supposed to have brought a pouch of medicinal seeds. King Songsten Gampo is supposed to have cast those seeds into the sky with prayers that they may spread across the land. While just a few seeds landed in Chagpori in erstwhile Tibet (the place later became a renowned centre for medical and astral studies), the rest were carried by the north winds to present day Bhutan. Hence the abundance of medicinal herbs in the forests of Bhutan. Even to this day, in Bhutan, the use of these natural resources continues through the Royal Institute of Traditional Medicine, which promotes indigenous herbal treatment alongside biomedicine. The elderly Bhutanese still prefer traditional healing methods to modern ones. To present an idea of just how effective these herbs are supposed to be, the expensive fungi cordyceps sinensis, which is harvested in abundance in the high mountainous borders of Bhutan, is said to have helped three Chinese athletes break the world records in running.
Another botanical epithet that Bhutan had, with which the very national anthem of the country begins, was ‘Tsanden Kopaijong,’ or ‘the country bestrewn with Tsanden.’ In Bhutan ‘Tsanden’ refers to the cypress tree. It holds the highest place in the Bhutanese botanical hierarchy, with some even ascribing to it a quality of sacredness. Infact, most of the gigantic cypress trees seen growing next to old religious and secular establishments are considered to have grown to its present girth and height from the walking staff used by holy personalities. Wood from the very mature cypresses produces an aromatic fragrance similar to the sandalwood and is commonly used in incenses as a major ingredient. And incenses are an item of everyday use in the day to day lives of all Bhutanese. Hence the importance accorded to the cypress in Bhutanese cultural surroundings. The coniferous tree is also Bhutan’s National Tree and can be commonly seen all across the kingdom.
But today the above names are no longer used. The standard local designation currently used is ‘Drukyul’ or ‘Thunder Dragon country,’ although it gained currency only after the unification of the country in the 17th century. There is a fabulous story about its beginnings. Tshangpa Gyarey, the renowned meditation master and ancestor of Bhutan’s founding father is said to have seen nine dragons in the Nam area in Tibet which he was visiting with the intent of setting up a spiritual centre, following the prophetic instructions of his teacher and tutelary deities. As he approached the dragons flew off, triggering a clap of booming thunder from the skies as well as a shower of flowers. Reading these signs as auspicious omens he is said to have named the place ‘Druk’ or ‘dragon.’ The tradition that he launched soon spread out to other places and found its way to the western valleys of Bhutan. Historians claim that Bhutan was called ‘Drukyul’ and her people ‘Drukpa’ after the conversion of most of the people to the Drukpa school.
However, none of the aforementioned names were used by our southern neighbors. The few records that are available show that those in the southern foothills called people from the northern highlands ‘Bhoteas’ or ‘Bhutias,’ a term used to this day to refer to those of the Tibetan-Mongoloid racial group. Over time, it underwent several changes from ‘Boutan,’ which is a French version to ‘Bhootan,’ the anglicized version, depending upon the whims of the then surveyors and mapmakers. ‘Bhutan,’ with variations in spelling was used for the whole or part of the stretch of highlands north of Bengal. Eventually the Indianized version ‘Bhutan,’ gained currency and remains in vogue today.
But today the above names are no longer used. The standard local designation currently used is ‘Drukyul’ or ‘Thunder Dragon country,’ although it gained currency only after the unification of the country in the 17th century. There is a fabulous story about its beginnings. Tshangpa Gyarey, the renowned meditation master and ancestor of Bhutan’s founding father is said to have seen nine dragons in the Nam area in Tibet which he was visiting with the intent of setting up a spiritual centre, following the prophetic instructions of his teacher and tutelary deities. As he approached the dragons flew off, triggering a clap of booming thunder from the skies as well as a shower of flowers. Reading these signs as auspicious omens he is said to have named the place ‘Druk’ or ‘dragon.’ The tradition that he launched soon spread out to other places and found its way to the western valleys of Bhutan. Historians claim that Bhutan was called ‘Drukyul’ and her people ‘Drukpa’ after the conversion of most of the people to the Drukpa school.
However, none of the aforementioned names were used by our southern neighbors. The few records that are available show that those in the southern foothills called people from the northern highlands ‘Bhoteas’ or ‘Bhutias,’ a term used to this day to refer to those of the Tibetan-Mongoloid racial group. Over time, it underwent several changes from ‘Boutan,’ which is a French version to ‘Bhootan,’ the anglicized version, depending upon the whims of the then surveyors and mapmakers. ‘Bhutan,’ with variations in spelling was used for the whole or part of the stretch of highlands north of Bengal. Eventually the Indianized version ‘Bhutan,’ gained currency and remains in vogue today.