deliriouslove1970. The life & times of Gary and Denise Flanders. (Free and worth every penny. If you would like to compliment the editor, send to garytheflan@deliriouslove1970.com. If you would like to complain, call your mother.)

I now have a regular group, including our trusty mailman, who walk by our house just to see what flag I have flying. A few months ago I put up a little sign that I change daily answering the question: ‘What Flag Is That?’ Todays flag: Tibet.

The flag from a Vexillological standpoint, is rather busy. But, I do enjoy its uniqueness. The flag’s design features two snow lions holding a flaming blue, white and orange jewel and a blue and orange yin-yang symbol on a white mountain with a gold sun rising over it, all over 12 red and blue alternating rays with a gold border around the upper, lower, and hoist side of the flag.

It was designed in 1926 by the tailor to the 13th Dalai Lama, Gyalten Namgyal. It has been utilized ever since as the official flag of Tibet.

The flag is not without controversy. There is a story circulating that Mao did approve the flag and told the Dalai Lama at the time it is ‘approved’. The 14th Dalai Lama has been in exile for decades after he began the independent Tibet movement. Beijing now bans the flag and will not recognize an independent Tibet.

In a situation similar to what is happening in Hong Kong, young Tibetans are determined in their insistence on a ‘Free Tibet’.