It was earlier used as the coat of arms of the House of Namgyal and the Kingdom of Sikkim.

[1] The blazon consists of a lotus within a chain of 12 annulets.

The lotus is a symbol of purity and a lotus throne is a symbol of the attainment of enlightenment.

Lotus thrones are the pedestal for most important figures in Buddhist art.

The Government of Sikkim can be represented by a banner that depicts the emblem of the state on a white background.