The Lhasa Apso is known for being one of the 14 most ancient dog breeds. A popular breed in America, the first pair of Lhasa Apsos arrived in the early 1930's as a gift from Thubten Gyatso, the 13th Dalai Lama of Tibet. The Lhasa Apso is also known for it's small size, yet fearless nature. The Tibetan name for the breed is, "Seng-Kyi" which literally translates to "Snow Lion."After WWII, in 1950, the Chinese People's Liberation Army invaded the Lhasa Apso's native country of Tibet, crushing a resistance of monks and farmers armed with pitchforks and swords. China then claimed sovereignty over the area, making it official with an agreement ratified in the city of Lhasa later that year.
After the brutal invasion, China began a campaign of state terrorism which led to the death, torture, or disappearance of over 1 million Tibetans. (an accusation that the Chinese government denies) Fearing for his life, the current Dalai Lama fled to India where he still remains in exile today. Canine calls to "Free Tibet," demand an end to the violent Chinese occupation of this peaceful country.
The Lhasa Apso have been given a prominent role in the Tibetan flag, (above) because of their fearless, resilient nature. - Qualities that they share with the Tibetan people, as well as the "Seng-Kyi" - the mythical snow lions of the Himalayas for which they were named.
looks like Nutmeg!
ReplyDeletethose are not lhasa apsos on the tibetan flag, they are snowlions as they have been depicted over the centuries in tibetan iconography. the turquoise maned snow lions are celestial being that protects the dharma in tibet. it's roar is said to embody emptiness and the fearlessness in the teachings of the buddha.
ReplyDeleteseng-kyi (or senge depending on who's spelling it) means only lion. gangseng is snowlion.
the tibetan government in exile's website has a full explanation of the element in the tibetan flag.