Different names, one Country

Bhutan, the tiny kingdom sandwiched between two big countries, China in the North and India in the South was called with different names. The names of this small country was called according to its location, nature, religious, and Culture.

1. Monyul/Lhomon

The foremost name called was Monyul, or Lhomon. The word “Mon” is derived from the Tibetan terminology of “mun” which means darkness. The central inhabitants of Tibet saw the people tribe living in their south as dark people because they were spiritually dark. In other words we can say that during that time the people of Bhutan had no religion. Buddhism was not emerged in their soil. Thus, the name “Monyul” was given as the identification to the land at the south of Tibet.

2. Lhomonkhazhi

Lhomonkhazhi is another name used to refer to Bhutan. The name Lhomonkhazhi means the southern Monyul with four approaches.

These four approaches are:

1.      Shar Dungsamkha or Dungsamkha to the east

2.      Lho Pasamkha or Pasamkha to the south

3.      Noop Dalingkha or Dalingkha to the west

4.      Jang Taktsherkha or Tsktsherkha to the North.

3. Lhojong Menjong

Lhojong Menjong is one of the popular names until now given to Bhutan. It means the southern land of rich medical herbs.

4. Lhojong Tsendenjong

Having abundant cypress, scientifically called Cupressus corneyana in Bhutan, lead its name Lhojong Tsendenjong (Southern Land of Cypresses). This term was never used as a name for Bhutan rather it was used as a physical expression of its abundance. And, it is also used as ingredients to make incense sticks. The national anthem of the country also has the starting verse giving the country’s name as land of Dragon with abundant cypress.

5. Drukyul

Drukyul (The Land of Thunder Dragon) is used as name for Bhutan by the Bhutanese people as well as the outsiders today. The name Drukyul came to be known only after the 17^th century when the country was unified under the union of Palden Drukpa, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel and the name has its root embodiment form the Drukpa Kagyu tradition.

6. Bhutan

The name Bhutan was used by the neighbouring people of India in a loose term as Bhoteas or bhutias referring to the people of northern highlands. The historians believes that the term Bhutan may have been derived from the Sanskrit word Bhu-Uttan meaning highland or head of India. And, another Sanskrit derivation could be Bhostan meaning end of Tibet. The usage of name Bhutan came to the surface with the arrival of British in India.