In Tibetan and Bhutanese mythology, Druk is the thunder dragon represented on Bhutan’s national flag and reflected in the country’s traditional name.
Druk means “thunder dragon” in Dzongkha, Bhutan’s national language. Bhutan is traditionally called Druk Yul, meaning “Land of the Thunder Dragon.” The dragon became closely associated with the Drukpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, which was established in Bhutan during the country’s religious and political development.
Bhutan’s national flag shows a white dragon holding jewels in its claws. The jewels symbolize prosperity, while the dragon represents the security and purity of the state. Unlike many destructive European dragons, Druk is primarily a protective national and religious emblem.
The figure should not be confused with the Chinese Azure Dragon or with the Indian garuda, another prominent Himalayan religious symbol. Druk’s importance is especially visible in Bhutanese state identity, monasteries, political titles, and national imagery.