The people of the Sekhyung Dra clan are said to have originated from Shangshung (zhang zhung), an ancient kingdom corresponding roughly to the province of greater Ngari that was later absorbed by the Tibetan empire. According to The Treasure of the Ancestral Clans of Tibet, they are known for being astute and hence rich and prosperous. Their element is iron, and their spirit animal (bla zog) is the mare.