The current flag of Tibet was introduced in the 1920s by the XIII. Dalai Lama (1876–1933). It shows a white triangle with a rising golden sun against a blue background with red triangles arranged in a radial pattern. In the foreground two snow lions and between them a blue-red ying-yang symbol and a flaming gemstone. The flag is surrounded on three sides by a golden border. The white triangle is a mountain covered in snow. It stands for the Tibetan nation and for the country of Tibet itself ("roof of the world"). A shining appears sun over the mountain. It reminds us of the equality of all living beings throughout the world. The red rays against the dark blue sky represent the six ancestors of Tibet (Se, Mu, Dong, Tong, Dru and Ra). The two snow lions symbolize sincerity and the union of spiritual and material life. The blue-red Ying-Yang symbol is a rotating jewel, a protective sign symbolizing the relationship between self-discipline and proper ethical behavior. The flaming tricolor jewel between the snow lions represents the three sacred things of Buddhism: Buddha, teaching (Dharma) and community (Shanga). The golden border of the flag symbolizes the constant presence of Buddha in all levels and all directions.
The coat of arms of Tibet is actually a seal. It shows the Khorlo – the wheel of the buddhist teach – among two snow lions (they stand for honesty and the combination of spiritual and material live) in front of a mountain scenery with sun and moon. In the lower area a crimson banner with a Tibetan inscription. It reads: "bod gzhung dga' ldan pho brang phyogs las rnam rgyal", which means: "Tibetan government, Ganden Palace, victorious in all directions".
Area: ca. 965.250 square miles, thereof 489.941 mi² Chinese Autonomous Region of Tibet
Inhabitants: 10.523.432, thereof 3.648.100 in the Chinese Autonomous Region of Tibet, around 50% are Tibetans, around 35% are Chinese (Han), in the Tibet Autonomous Region there are around 96% Tibetans and around 6% Chinese (Han).
Religions: Tibetans are usually Lamaists (Tibetan Buddhism) and some Bön, Chinese are Buddhists or Taoists
Density of Population: 11 inh./sq.mi.
Capital: Lhasa (Lhassa), 867.891 inh. (2020)
Seat of the Exile Government: Dharamsala (in Northern India)
7th century A.D. · nascence of the Kingdom of Tibet by unification of diverse tribal principalities, expansion of the controled area until the today’s Chinese provinces of Xinjiang, Quinghai, Gansu and Sichuan
8th century · expansion of the Buddhism, substitution of the Bön Religion
9th–10th century · expansion of the Lamaism, substitution of the Buddhism
10th century · disintegration of Tibet into particular principalities
1240 · Mongol invasion
1276 · Kublai Khan (Mongolian ruler of China) appoints the Lama Phagspa (from the Sakyapa Sect) as high priest and king of Tibet, establishment of the Tibetan theocracy
15th century · the Gelugpa Sect takes over the leadership of the country, secular leader becomes the Dalai-Lama, spiritual leader becomes the Panchen-Lama
18th century · increasing interference by China, China takes finally over the political and military control in the country, stationing of Chinese troops in Lhasa
19th century · increasing interference by United Kingdom and Russia
1906/07 · United Kingdom and Russia recognize formally the Chinese supremacy over Tibet
1911 · revolution in China, fall of the Qing-Dynasty, Tibet becomes independent, increasing interference by United Kingdom, China claims for Tibet unsuccessfully
1933 · death of the XIII. Dalai-Lama
1935 · birth of the XIV. Dalai-Lama
1945–1949 · civil war in China
1st of October 1949 · proclamation of the People’s Republic of China
1950 · invasion of Chinese troops in Tibet, capitulation of the Tibetan army in eastern Tibet, the XIV. Dalai-Lama becomes appointed in his function in the age of 15 years, forth advance of the Chinese
23rd of May 1951 · autonomy treaty with China (regional autonomy, freedom of religion, preservation of the existing political system in Tibet), but increasing interference by China, construction of airfields and streets, communist propaganda
1956 · anti-Chinese revolt
1959 · anti-Chinese revolt, becomes suppressed, the Dalai-Lama and ten thousends of Tibetans escape to India, China subordinates Tibet under its direct administration, appointment of the Panchen-Lama as proconsul, China takes over the full political and military control, communist propaganda, communist reorganizations
since 1960 · enforced immigration of many Chinese
1964 · the Panchen-Lama becomes set down by China
1965 · establishment of the formally Autonomous Territory of Tibet (out of the Tibetian regions Changthang, Y-Tsang, West-Kham and Ngari) in the south of the country, the Tibetian regions Amdo and East-Kham become annexed to Chinese provinces (Quinghai and Sichuan)
1966–1969 · „Cultural Revolution“, overthrow, expropriation and assassination of the lamaistic clergy, demolition of the traditional live, of historic buildings and especially of monasteries
1976 · death of the Chinese communist leader Mao Zedong, in the afteryears limited liberalization, re-opening os some monasteries
1987 · anti-Chinese demonstrations of nuns and monks
1989 · the XIV. Dalai-Lama becomes awarded the Peace-Nobel-Award
1992 · China opens Tibet for international trade and tourism
The name "Tibet" is derived from the Tibetan denomination for the country "Tö-Bhöt", what means in translation "Upper Bhöt". The origin of the word Bhöt is sought in the self-name of the Tibetans, who call themselves "Bod".
