One post is not enough!

The Boston Globe's Big Picture also features photos from the coronation of the Oxford-educated bachelor His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, 28 years old ...


Dancers line up for the crowning ceremony.
Both photos by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images. See more at the Boston Globe!

bhutan-20
Originally uploaded by frans.vanderlee
"Ratu our local guide and Bart
our trip leader pay homage. "

And since we're talking about Bhutan ... In Bhutan, kissing in public is taboo, but on the other hand, it is very common to paint giant phalluses on your house to ward off evil spirits. Phalluses in many other shapes are also used to ward off evil spirits.
The photo on the right is by Frans van der Lee, who has a lovely set of photos from Bhutan at Flickr.

The BBC's Geeta Pandey writes about the origins of Bhutan's phalluses. They can be traced back to the "Divine Madman" Lama Drupka Kinley, who supposedly would hit errant demons over the head with his penis to subdue them and turn them into protective deities.
"But contrary to the popular perception, the phallus has a world of meaning beyond its obvious symbolism to ward off evil influences", says this article from Kuensel, Bhutan's national newspaper, which takes a closer look at the phallic traditions of Bhutan, and their future in the modern society.

His Majesty the King

Even though I'm an anti-monarchist at heart, and even though the people of the United States of America just elected arguably the cutest president ever (although Franklin Pierce also classifies as "adorkable"), Bhutan takes the prize with the coronation of His Royal Highness Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck (28). The Land of the Thunder Dragon received the world's youngest reigning monarch.

The BBC has an interesting photo gallery from the coronation ceremony, and a profile of the young constitutional monarch. The transition to democracy has been a late but steady one in Bhutan, and the royal family is determined to promote general suffrage and voting habits, cautious of the fate of monarchy in neighboring Nepal. Bhutan has a historical reputation for being voluntarily isolated, and the official policy today is attempting to balance between preserving the cultural and natural heritage and accepting outside influences. However, Bhutan has always been a part of the web of world cultures, through the Buddhist faith and the second-largest religion, Hinduism. See also the website of the National Library of Bhutan with many interesting links of religious and cultural interest.

The transition process can be illustrated by comparing the king's ancient titles:

Supreme Protector Of The People
The Great Elected One
The Upholder Of The Law

with the modern titles:

Protector Of The Nation's Security
Guardian Of The Constitution
Inspiration For Gross National Happiness

Found through the Buddhist blog Dreaming of Danzan Ravjaa. And back to Obama: This blog is like Cute Overload for Obama fans. You have been warned.

A merry meeting

A merry meeting, originally uploaded by Ainurel.

Swedish crown princess Victoria meets the crown prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Spotted in Svensk Damtidning, some May issue.

I think the monarchy should be abolished, but there's one thing Vickan could do to make me a bit more interested in the Swedish royal family. I have no idea why she keeps dating those greasy Swedish gym teacher brats called "Daniel" (they all look alike to me and the king anyway) when she could vamp us a real sheik instead.