The raven is the national bird of Bhutan, associated with the protective deity Mahakala and featured on the Raven Crown worn by the King.
Overview
The raven (Corvus corax tibetanus), known in Dzongkha as Jarog, is the national bird of Bhutan.[1] A subspecies of the common raven found on the Tibetan plateau and the southern slopes of the Himalayas, it holds a position of extraordinary reverence in Bhutanese culture — killing a raven is considered more heinous than the murder of a hundred monks.[3]
Divine Association
The raven represents Legön Jarok Dongchen, a wrathful raven-faced emanation of Mahakala, the chief dharma protector.[3] Together with Yeshé Gönpo and Palden Lhamo, Legön forms the trio of tutelary protectors of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal (1594–1651), the unifier of Bhutan, and by extension of the Bhutanese state itself.[3]
According to tradition, before the Zhabdrung made his journey from Tibet to Bhutan, he had a visionary experience in which he flew to Pangrizampa in Thimphu following a raven — an event later understood as Legön guiding the Zhabdrung to his destined homeland.[3]
The Raven Crown
The raven's most visible representation is atop the Raven Crown (Usa Jaro Dongchen) worn by the kings of Bhutan. Bhutanese historians trace the crown's origin to Jigme Namgyal (1825–1881), father of the first king, whose Tibetan master Jangchub Tsundru (1817–1856) designed the crown with a raven pinnacle resting on an embroidered Jachung motif on the brim.[3]
When Ugyen Wangchuck ascended to the throne in 1907, he reinterpreted the crown — stripping it of its original battlefield-protection symbolism and transforming it into a symbol of triumphant royalty.[3]
Symbolism
The raven's shining black feathers, hoarse voice, and playful nature are said to represent power, mystery, wisdom, and intelligence.[1] The bird embodies both the spiritual authority of Bhutanese Buddhism and the secular sovereignty of the monarchy.
References
Test Your Knowledge
Think you know about this topic? Try a quick quiz!
Help improve this article
Do you have personal knowledge about this topic? Were you there? Your experience matters. BhutanWiki is built by the community, for the community.
Anonymous contributions welcome. No account required.